Listed Belgian firm Aedifica has acquired a new residential care home in East Sussex, UK, in its second deal in as many months with luxury care home developer Hamberley Development.
The sale-and-leaseback deal, which takes the form of a forward commitment worth £14.5 mln (€16 mln), comprises a 60-bed property located in Hailsham, due for completion in Q1 2021.
Hamberley’s operating company, Hamberley Care Homes, will lease the building back from Aedifica over a 25-year period.
The UK firm, which is majority owned by Patron Capital, also sold a 69-bed care home in Ampthill, Bedfordshire to Aedifica last month for £16.5 mln, where it also inked a 25-year lease.
Keith Breslauer, managing director of Patron Capital, said: 'We aim for our investments not just to deliver strong returns but also to have a positive impact on communities and individuals. With an ageing population and an increased focus on safeguarding older and more vulnerable people in society following the recent pandemic outbreak, our investments in the later living sector enable us to do just that.
'This deal reflects the exceptional quality and reputation of Hamberley’s developments and will free up funds to invest in further opportunities that are actively being sought out.'
Hamberley described the new property as 'Covid-secure' with features such as a bespoke Covid-secure visitation suite, in-built thermal imaging technology in the entrance lobby and a ventilation system which ensures air in public spaces is replaced every 15 minutes. It will also have hand washing and hand sanitising stations throughout for staff, residents and visitors.
The property features en-suite bedrooms, a cinema, a café, a bar area, a hair and beauty salon with nail bar, lounges and landscaped gardens.
The new development will be Hamberley Care Homes' twelfth property. In addition to Hailsham the group has a development pipeline of sites in Basingstoke, Bedford, Brampton, Bristol, Bromsgrove, Camberley, Cambridge, Dorking, Eastleigh, Enfield, Edwalton, Keynsham, Southampton and West Byfleet.
The group said it was also actively acquiring land and existing operating businesses and has over £180 mln of equity capital allocated for healthcare investment.
Tim Street, director of Hamberley Development, added: 'We’re delighted to agree to this commitment with the Aedifica and Layland Walker teams so soon after our first deal last month.
'The Hailsham home will meet the very highest standards for safety and infection control and sets a new benchmark for Covid-secure care settings.'
