London-based property company Strawberry Star has announced plans to enter the Build to Rent (BTR) sector and build up over 4,000 new homes by 2025.
Strawberry Star has appointed Clint Bartman as managing director of asset management to establish its BTR business. Bartman has 20+ years of residential real estate experience across the UK and North America. He joins from Fjeld Consulting where as vice-president he advised global real estate operators in the BTR, PBSA and Private Rental sectors. Prior to consulting he was the operations director for Empiric Student Property, a listed UK REIT.
Santhosh Gowda, chairman of the Strawberry Star Group, said: ‘As a leading end-to-end property services provider, foraying into BTR is a strategic move considering the sector’s growth potential. Our decision is backed by growing interest among investors, including institutional investors and family offices, who are exploring niche new-build sectors within the UK property market, as stocks and shares have become much more volatile. We are well positioned to leverage investors’ interests as our sites are strategically located in key regeneration areas with high rental demand.’
Bartman commented, ‘The BTR sector continues to grow and establish itself as a sub-asset class in the UK. We want to offer and manage the supply of safe, secure homes with enviable communities, appealing to this growing demand. Our focus will remain on providing exemplary end-to-end service.’
