Far East Orchard Acquires London Site for $102 Million to Develop 444-Bed Student Housing Project
Far East Orchard is set to acquire a freehold site in Southwark, London, for £60 million ($102 million) and redevelop it as a 444-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) project known as King’s Place. It will also include an eight-unit block for key workers.
Located in London’s Zone 1, the project is expected to be completed by 2029, ahead of the 2029/30 academic year. It received planning permission in February 2024 and Gateway 2 approval in July 2026.
The site is also within easy reach of major educational institutions such as King’s College London, LSE, Queen Mary University of London and Imperial College London. Elephant & Castle Station is an eight-minute walk away and Borough Underground Station is just four minutes away.
Far East Orchard plans to include communal lounges, a health and fitness facility and outdoor areas at the project. The company is also targeting a BREEAM Outstanding rating. The company said strong demand from local and international students, combined with limited new supply, continues to create an imbalance in London’s student accommodation market.
The project will be Far East Orchard’s first development in London and the third investment through its FE UK Student Accommodation Development Fund. Once completed, the fund is expected to have 956 student beds across London, Manchester and Glasgow.
