UK's Orka Acquires 249-Bed Student Accommodation in Liverpool

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On October 22, a joint venture formed by UK real estate investment firm Orka Investments and global asset management institution Nuveen completed the acquisition of the Vista Square student accommodation project in Liverpool, UK. Located on Oldham Place in Liverpool, the project comprises 249 beds, was completed in 2025, and achieved full occupancy for the 2026/2027 academic year. The transaction was supported by financing from Investec Real Estate. Following completion of the acquisition, the joint venture's student accommodation portfolio increased to 5 properties totaling 1,761 beds.

Vista Square is situated in Liverpool's Knowledge Quarter, close to the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University. The property comprises 204 studio apartments and 45 en-suite bedrooms within five-bedroom shared apartments, with studios accounting for more than 80% of all accommodation units. On-site amenities include a rooftop terrace, sky lounge, gym, sauna, cinema, communal study areas, and private dining space.

The acquisition was completed through obtaining control of the project development company 11171749 Limited, which was subsequently renamed Omnis Liverpool. Simmons & Simmons provided legal advice on the transaction, Colliers was responsible for professional due diligence, and Cushman & Wakefield acted for the seller. Investec Real Estate arranged the acquisition financing and is also the financing partner for Orka's previous acquisitions of other student accommodation assets.

Orka has integrated Vista Square into its existing student accommodation operating platform and plans to conduct ongoing operations through optimized property management, tiered rent pricing, and adjustments to internal space allocation. According to the company's published asset plan, partial space reconfiguration of the existing building is planned in the future to add 8 accommodation beds. The above-mentioned modifications are internal optimization arrangements within the existing property and are implemented separately from the completed asset acquisition.

Prior to completing the Liverpool transaction, Orka and Nuveen acquired the Hill View Place student accommodation in Exeter earlier in October. Including this newly added asset, Orka's UK student accommodation portfolio now comprises 7 properties totaling 2,329 beds, including both properties held by the joint venture and other investment projects of the company.