Melburg, the developer behind 360 Bristol, alongside client AG South Plaza B.V and construction partner Winvic Construction Ltd, has celebrated a key construction milestone at Bristol’s first eco Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) development on Marlborough Street in the heart of Bristol city centre.
Project partners including IESIS, structural engineer HEXA and architect ECE Westworks came together on 30 October for a topping out ceremony, marking the completion of the building’s structure. This milestone represents a significant step in the transformation of a former 1960s office block into a 10-storey, 399-bedroom sustainable student living community.
Works officially began in August 2024, with enabling works undertaken ahead of the main construction phase, which commenced in May 2025. The scheme is scheduled for completion in summer 2026.
Once complete, 360 Bristol will offer a mix of studio and cluster bedrooms alongside a comprehensive range of amenities designed to support student wellbeing, social connection and study. Facilities include shared kitchens, a gym, cinema, karaoke and content rooms, games lounge, dedicated study spaces, yoga and Zumba rooms, and extensive outdoor social areas. Outdoor amenity provision includes an accessible terrace on the 10th floor and ground-floor external spaces on the podium above the existing basement. Basement parking and cycle storage have been retained throughout the works.
The development involves extensive refurbishment of the existing structure, including remedial repairs to the structural frame, fire protection enhancements and the construction of three additional upper floors to create new living spaces. Significant fire safety improvements are being delivered in line with the requirements of the Building Safety Act.
Sustainability has been central to Melburg’s approach to the scheme. By retaining and enhancing the existing structure, the project is expected to deliver approximately 3,500 tonnes of lifetime carbon savings, alongside a 1,500% biodiversity net gain. The development is targeting EPC A and BREEAM “Excellent” ratings, reinforcing Melburg’s commitment to responsible regeneration throughout the UK.
Delivered by Winvic under the Gateway 2 process, 360 Bristol is progressing through the new building safety regime, with a strong emphasis on quality, collaboration and long-term performance.
The scheme is also delivering meaningful social value. Two site visits have been held to date, including one in partnership with The Restore Trust and O’Neill and Brennan, hosting 15 unemployed learners, and another for T Level students from IBK Academy, with one student set to complete their industry placement on site. Over 50 local employees (within 30 miles) are currently working on the project, which is expected to deliver more than 200 training weeks for new and existing staff, including members of the supply chain.
Andrew Burns, Head of Asset and Development at Melburg, said:
“We are incredibly proud to see 360 Bristol reach this significant milestone. From the outset, our vision was to create a vibrant, inclusive community that responds to the evolving needs of students while setting new standards for sustainability and wellbeing.
By retaining and enhancing the existing structure, we have significantly reduced embodied carbon, and our commitment to EPC A and BREEAM ‘Excellent’ ratings ensures strong long-term environmental performance. The extensive amenity offer—from social and study spaces to wellness facilities and accessible outdoor terraces—reflects our belief that great places to live should actively support personal growth and community connection. We look forward to welcoming students to a development that truly raises the bar for sustainable urban living in Bristol.”
Working alongside Melburg on the scheme are Winvic Construction Ltd as main contractor, IESIS as Employer’s Agent and project manager, ECE Westworks as architect, HEXA as structural and civil engineer, and BOX 20 as M&E consultant.
Melburg and Winvic Construction, the UK-focused multidisciplinary main contractor and civil engineering company announce the acquisition of Spectrum, a 130,000 sq ft office building located in Bristol city centre.
The landmark transaction marks the first since forming of a strategic partnership between Melburg and Winvic. The collaboration underscores the duo’s commitment to identifying and repositioning value-add opportunities across the UK with Winvic supporting delivery of these projects.
Originally constructed in 1984, the building is located on Bond Street, directly opposite Bristol’s Broadmead Regeneration and close to Melburg’s 360 Bristol— a former office repositioning now being transformed into the city’s first 399-bed eco-PBSA scheme, currently being delivered by Winvic as lead contractor.
Oaknorth – the digital bank for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs – provided a senior debt facility to the partnership. Savills acted for the purchaser, Cushman & Wakefield acted on behalf of the joint LPA/ Fixed Charge Receivers. Keystone Law and Freedman + Hilmi provided legal services
Jack Burgess, Chief Executive of Melburg said: “With OakNorth’s support, we’re pleased to formalise this partnership with Winvic given our successful collaboration on 360 Bristol, securing a Gateway 2 approval in record time. This acquisition reflects our confidence in Winvic’s delivery expertise, a joint commitment to pioneering ultra-low carbon development, and a shared belief in Bristol’s continued renaissance”
Mark Jones, Managing Director – Multiroom at Winvic commented: “We’re proud to be collaborating with Melburg again. Our early engagement in the process has enabled us to work as a strategic partner, aligning design, buildability, and cost management from the outset. In today’s evolving regulatory environment, particularly under the Building Safety Act, early contractor involvement is more important than ever. By combining our technical expertise with Melburg’s dynamic, value-driven approach, we are well positioned to deliver a best-in-class scheme that responds to both legislative demands and market expectations.”
Lucas Anglin, Director of Debt Finance at OakNorth added: “We’re delighted to support Melburg and Winvic on this landmark acquisition in Bristol. The partnership between two such highly capable and forward-thinking sponsors aligns perfectly with OakNorth’s commitment to backing ambitious, sustainable projects that deliver long-term value. With their proven track record at 360 Bristol and a shared vision for regeneration, we’re confident this scheme will play a meaningful role in the city’s next chapter.”
View Green Street News article here.
View BE News article here.
View Costar News article here.
Melburg, the privately owned real estate investment and development company announces the successful approval of Gateway 2 at their 399 bed eco-PBSA development in Bristol city centre.
The Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA) introduced the necessity for Gateway 2 approval as part of a rigorous inspection of building regulation requirements to ensure that building safety is considered at each stage of the design and construction process.
The timing of the approval will enable Melburg, alongside their contractor Winvic Construction, to deliver the scheme for the 2026/27 academic year, providing much needed student accommodation into Bristol’s critically under supplied market.
A spokesperson for Melburg commented.
“Achieving the necessary approvals is a milestone for the project and reaffirms Melburg’s commitment to delivering the safest, highest quality, most sustainable built form across all our developments.
We are passionate about making buildings better for the environment, and environments better for people. The teams reimagination of a decaying, not fit for purpose secondary office into this BREEAM excellent, EPC A rated eco-PBSA building is the embodiment of that vision”
View CoStar article here.
View BE News article here.
A joint venture between Melburg Capital and TPG Angelo Gordon, announce the completion of a £75.5m development facility with specialist real estate finance provider Maslow Capital, to bring forward their 399-bed eco-purpose-built student accommodation scheme in the heart of Bristol city centre.
Having secured planning permission to transform the former South Plaza office complex in May 2024, Melburg have signed a build contract with Winvic and begun reimagining the scheme to provide Bristol’s first eco-PBSA development.
The development will provide 399 student beds whilst retaining the original office structure. In so doing, the proposal will save 4,215 tonnes of embodied CO2, when compared with a demolition and rebuild. The embodied carbon will be 33% lower than a new ultra-low energy steel framed building, the equivalent of powering 1,504 houses a year, and save an additional 3,000 tonnes of CO2 by connecting to Bristol’s District Heat Network, incorporating heat pumps and roof-mounted PV panels. This will enable the project to target BREEAM Excellent certification and an EPC A rating.
Featuring 11,464 sq ft of internal amenity space, the scheme offers a market-leading 29 sq ft of internal amenity space per bed, setting a new benchmark in student accommodation. Residents will enjoy an unparalleled array of premium amenities designed to enhance their university experience. These include a yoga studio, gym, lounge, library, study space, bookable meeting room, faith room, laundry facilities, and a roof terrace on the 10th floor. It will also feature 8,181 sq ft of external amenity space and promote eco-friendly transportation by providing 434 cycle parking spaces. The scheme is due for practical completion in June 2026.
Burgess Okoh Saunders and Freedman + Hilmi provided legal services. Savills acted as property advisors. BBS Capital acted as debt advisor to the JV.
Jack Burgess, Melburg’s Chief Executive said: “We are pleased to be working with Maslow Capital on this ambitious project and look forward to welcoming students in the 2026 academic year. We continue to selectively grow our student housing exposure as part of our wider investment into the living sectors, which now stands at over 2,500 beds”
James Henry, Origination Director at Maslow Capital commented: “Maslow is delighted to be partnering with Melburg to deliver much-needed student housing in the Bristol market. This £75.5m commitment underscores Maslow’s strong appetite for partnering with best-in-class sponsors and delivery teams to fund high-quality living sector assets across the UK and Europe. It has been a pleasure working with all parties involved, and the Maslow Capital team looks forward to seeing the asset’s delivery over the next two years.”
Adam Buchler, BBS Capital added: “We’re delighted to complete another financing for TPG Melburg and it was a pleasure working again with the Maslow team”.
View Green Street News article here.
View Property Week article here.
View PBSA News article here.
View BE News article here.
View GSL Global article here.
Melburg announced the completion of a wider refinancing with National Westminster Bank on assets including Voltaic, Wakefield 41 Industrial Park and Sirdar Business Park, Wakefield.
Melburg acquired both assets in an off-market transaction in Q1 of 2022.
Melburg subsequently secured Yorkshires largest pre-let of 2023 at Voltaic, having undertaken a wholesale repositioning of the 210,000 sq ft logistics facility securing a 10-year lease commitment from XPO logistics. This facility is now the Wakefield Northern Distribution Centre and utilised as the dedicated operation for Saint-Gobain UK (SGUK) in the north of England. Dual-branded with XPO Logistics and Saint-Gobain livery, the site operates as a multi-brand one-stop shop for warehousing, backhaul and distribution to end customers.
Sirdar Business Park has been subject to significant management intervention, with 8 lease renewals and lettings since acquisition and currently benefits from 100% occupancy.
Natwest provided a senior loan to Melburg who have discreetly amassed a logistics footprint throughout the UK which exceeds 2.5 million sq ft, whilst also acquiring £1Bn of real estate over the past 24 months and raising a £575m UK focused discretionary fund.
Helen Blair, Melburg’s Chief Financial Officer commented “The speed of this refinance reflects the efficiency of our management platform, who have been able to transform the income characteristics of both assets within a short window, and in so doing increase asset values by over 30%. We look forward to building on our wider relationship with Natwest as we continue to organically grow and diversify our real estate exposure.”
View Green Street News article here.
View CoStar article here.
View EGI article here.
View BE News article here.
Melburg Capital [Melburg] has announced the completion of a wider refinancing with Coutts on the Bekaert manufacturing HQ, a 110,000 sq ft industrial asset located in Bradford, West Yorkshire.
Melburg acquired the asset in an off-market transaction in Q3 of 2022 with a short-term lease expiry to Bekaert, the world’s largest steel wire manufacturer.
In advance of completion Melburg re-structured the Bekaert lease, with the €5.0Bn turnover business signing a 15-year commitment with 2-5% RPI indexation.
Coutts provided a senior loan to Melburg who have strategically amassed a logistics footprint throughout the UK which exceeds 2.5 million sq ft, whilst also acquiring £1Bn of real estate over the past 24 months.
Helen Blair, Melburg’s Chief Financial Officer commented “We look forward to building on our wider relationship with Coutts, whose approach continues to enable our speed of execution. The transaction is a great example of the teams ability to identify off-market assets, execute management initiatives quickly and in so doing stabilise future income. Bekaert are aligned with our environmental targets, placing sustainability at the core of its operations. The business has been accepted to join other leaders supporting the Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign, targeting net-zero emissions by 2050 whilst also becoming a member of the UN Climate Champions’ Race to Zero. We are proud to partner with them and support their continued endeavours”
Former South Plaza office block will provide 399 student bedrooms.
- What? Melburg Capital has secured full planning permission for a
student accommodation scheme in Bristol. - Why? Former South Plaza office block will be converted to provide 399
student bedrooms, called 360 Bristol. - What next? Aiming to complete by June 2026, the project will include a
gym with changing facilities, café and leisure areas, a golf simulator
and bike storage.
Melburg Capital has obtained full planning consent to convert a former office block in Bristol city centre into a £150m purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme.
The proposals, which were submitted in June last year, will transform the former South Plaza office building to provide 399 student bedrooms.
To be called 360 Bristol, the development will include a gym, café, leisure facilities, prayer rooms, a golf simulator and 370 bike spaces.
Melburg intends to complete the scheme by June 2026 in time for the September academic year intake.
Andrew Burns, head of asset and development management at Melburg, said: “In line with our environmental agenda, we decided to reimagine this former office facility instead of demolishing it and, in doing so, expect embodied carbon emissions to be notably lower than those associated with constructing a newultra-low energy steel-framed building. We look forward to welcoming students to this exemplary scheme for the 2026 academic year and thank Bristol City Council for its continued support.”
Melburg was advised by Savills.
View React News article here.
View CoStar article here.
View PBSA News article here.
View BE News article here.
View EGI article here.
Capital will be deployed across sectors where there are dislocation opportunities.
- What? Melburg Capital has raised a debut £565m fund.
- Why? Investment manager to target mispriced assets amid market
dislocation. - What next? Industrial, living, strategic land and operational real estate
will be main areas of focus for deployment.
Melburg Capital, an investment and asset management business founded by a notoriously discreet senior executive, has raised £565m for its debut UK real estate fund, React News can reveal.
Melburg Real Estate Fund I (MREF I), which will invest both directly and in joint venture opportunities, has been backed by several of the investment manager’s existing institutional partners along with private family offices.
The firm’s website notes it has previously worked with Angelo Gordon, AEW, Revcap, Investec, Hines and Leumi, and has transacted £1bn of deals since it was set up nine years ago. However, it declined to comment on which investors had participated in the inaugural fund raise.
Although sector-agnostic, MREF I will have a particular focus on industrial, living, strategic land and operational real estate opportunities throughout the UK.
“Our superior market connectivity coupled with a data-driven approach is enabling us to aggregate fundamentally mispriced assets across all sectors and regions”
HELEN BLAIR, MELBURG CAPITAL
Melburg was founded in 2015 by Jack Burgess, a notoriously private Schroder alumni who has shunned the media spotlight and has yet to be interviewed.Although still in his thirties, several sources told React News Burgess had garnered a reputation for shrewd deal-making and discretion. As chief executive officer, he has overall responsibility for the group’s transactional activity and investment strategies.
Over the past three years Melburg has diversified its platform, securing several high-profile planning consents and acquisitions. Most recently these include a 400-bed student accommodation consent in Bristol city centre, along with the 850-bed mixed-use approval within its Redcatch Quarter, which forms the hub for the development of the former Broadwalk Shopping Centre in Knowle.
On the industrial side, Melburg has acquired in excess of 2m sq ft since its inception. Last summer, the manager prelet its entire Voltaic estate to XPO Logistics, in a move that marks the largest letting of the year in Yorkshire. Voltaic is a 210,000 sq ft logistics hub at the Wakefield 41 Industrial Estate,
West Yorkshire. XPO agreed to a 10-year lease term after Melburg repositioned the asset.
Helen Blair, Melburg’s chief financial officer, said: “The commitments are a reflection of the hard work and performance of the wider team. We intend on organically deploying our capital by utilising the extensive reach of both our direct property and venture capital arms.
“Although scale and consolidation remain a primary driver for most of the institutional market, our superior market connectivity coupled with a data-driven approach is enabling us to aggregate fundamentally mispriced assets across all sectors and regions.”
Successful raise
The success of Melburg Real Estate Fund I is impressive when benchmarked against a challenging backdrop for real estate fundraising. Only 59 private real estate funds closed in the first three months of 2024 – the lowest quarter on record, according to Preqin data analysed by React News. The total aggregate capital also remained low, at $28.6bn. 2023 was the toughest year in a decade for capital raising, with only $151.9bn of aggregate capital raised across 483 funds amid persistent macroeconomic headwinds.
View React News article here.
Planning permission has been granted for the demolition and redevelopment of the Broadwalk Shopping Centre in Knowle, Bristol.
The scheme, to be called Redcatch Quarter, was brought forward by a joint venture between BBS Capital, Melburg Capital and Galliard Homes. The joint venture, the Redcatch Development Partnership, plans to build 800 homes, 30 retail units and new public space.
Melburg acquired the site for £9.5m out of receivership in 2021. Broadwalk was part of a portfolio of three shopping centres Frogmore bought for £130m in 2006. The other assets were Belle Vale Shopping Centre in Liverpool and Port Arcades in Ellesmere Port.
The 5.3 acre site is home to the 50-year old Broadwalk Shopping Centre which spans 218,500 sq ft of retail space. The site benefits from outline planning permission granted in 2019 to demolish the multi-storey car park and part of the shopping centre to make way for 420 homes and 124,000 sq ft of commercial space.
New plans were then drawn up that would increase the number of homes from 420 to nearly 800, and the provision for 30 retail units. A community café, creche and new facilities for Knowle Library as well as 1,280 cycle spaces were also included in the plans.
The joint venture is now seeking grant funding to secure additional affordable housing for Redcatch Quarter. It has also announced plans to submit a detailed planning application for the overall scheme, and anticipate construction to take a minimum of three years.
View React News article here.
CoStar Group inc. announced the CoStar Awards Quarterly Deals winners for the second quarter of 2023 with Melburg’s XPO Logistics [XPO] lease at Voltaic coming top in the Top Industrial Leasing Deals for Yorkshire & Humberside. The CoStar Awards Quarterly Deals winners are determined by the top deals executed every quarter, based on price and square footage and Melburg secured the win for the pre-let of the entirety of Voltaic, Wakefield 41 to XPO.
XPO has committed to a 10-year lease term with a break in year five, as well as extensive tenant works above the agreed specification.
Melburg bought the property off- market in the first quarter of 2022 and has undertaken a wholesale repositioning of the facility, which is due to complete in August. XPO will use the facility to service its ongoing contracts with Saint-Gobain, which has a number of construction products brands, such as British Gypsum and Sani-Tech.
Melburg was represented by Dave Robinson (Cushman & Wakefield), Rob Oliver, Jake Pygall (Avison Young), Tom Cooley (Cushman & Wakefield).
For the original article, please click here.
For the award winners list, please click here.
For more information surrounding Voltaic, please click here.
