KUALA LUMPUR, Gamuda Land, the property development arm of Gamuda Bhd (KL), has acquired a site at 14 Marshgate Lane in Stratford, London, for the development of a purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) project with an estimated gross development value (GDV) of RM600 million.
In a statement released on Friday, the company said the 321-bed project will mark Gamuda Land’s first fully owned, self-developed, and self-managed PBSA venture in the United Kingdom.
Scheduled for completion in the 2028/29 academic year, the development will be strategically located near University College London’s (UCL) East campus and the London College of Fashion — two institutions with a combined student population exceeding 10,000. It will also be situated close to Westfield Stratford, London’s largest retail destination. The acquisition price for the land was not disclosed.
The Marshgate Lane project forms part of Gamuda Land’s broader plan to deliver up to 3,000 student beds across key UK cities within the next five years. With this latest addition, the company’s PBSA portfolio in the UK now comprises 1,232 beds across three sites.
Other ongoing projects include Press House in Woolwich, London — a 419-bed joint venture with Q Investment Partners slated for completion in 2027 — and City Wharf in Glasgow, a 492-bed development in collaboration with Dandara Living expected to be completed by 2026.
Gamuda Land chief executive officer Chu Wai Lune said the latest acquisition reinforces the company’s long-term strategy to diversify its overseas portfolio and expand its recurring income base through counter-cyclical asset classes.
“PBSA remains a resilient investment segment underpinned by strong, steady demand from both domestic and international students,” Chu said. “This segment helps balance our residential and commercial portfolios while providing sustainable long-term returns.”
Including the Marshgate Lane project, Gamuda Land’s UK development pipeline stands at approximately £1.5 billion (RM8.4 billion). This includes the £1.2 billion redevelopment of 75 London Wall in partnership with Castleforge, as well as the West Hampstead Central build-to-sell residential project.
