the costume store

Matthew BiddleManaging Director

Berkeley First is the specialist student accommodation division of residential developer the Berkeley Group and has been in operation since 1992. By 2013 we will have delivered in excess of 9,000 new homes for students and young professionals alongside some of the leading universities in London and the South East.

Over the past 20 years we have been committed to delivering world class facilities for our university partners through hard work, attention to detail and a passion for quality. The team at Berkeley First have an enviable track record in both residential and student accommodation development and share our vision for the future; to make the student living experience the best it can be for this generation and the next.

We are delighted to announce the completion of the most recent addition to our development portfolio, a 730 bed scheme designed and developed for University of the Arts London and Knightsbridge Student Housing. Named ‘The Costume Store’ in reference to its heritage, we purchased the site in 2009 having agreed to work in partnership with University of the Arts London on a Nomination Agreement basis. We gained planning permission within six months and forward sold the development in 2011 to Knightsbridge Student Housing who will operate the scheme under the Student Housing Company brand on behalf of the university.

Working in partnership with both University of the Arts London and Knightsbridge Student Housing has enabled us to deliver a bespoke student housing solution tailored to the needs of their students.

Carefully considered and design led, we hope that the legacy of the creativity that was once at home here will live on through the many fashion and arts students that reside at The Costume Store in years to come.

FOrEWOrD

Photograph: The Costume Store at night

Berkeley First acquired, designed, achieved planning and constructed The Costume Store on time and to budget without the requirement for any third party funding.

As a member of the Berkeley Group, we hold excellent relationships with key external stakeholders including local authorities, land owners and specialist subcontractors. Along with the strength of our own internal team, this enables us to deliver our developments quickly, cost effectively and to an exceptional standard.

EXPErIENCE AND EFFICIENCY

THE COSTUME STORE – TIMELINE TO DELIVERY

2009 2010 2011 2012

June November April May September February April July

Land acquired Planning submission

Planning consent received

Demolition commenced

Frame completed ‘topping out’

Marketing suite completed

CCS Award achieved

Completion – one month ahead of schedule

August

NHBC Seal of Excellencereceived

Photograph: reception and art gallery

A beSPoke PArTNerShiP APProAChBerkeley First worked in partnership with University of the Arts Londonon a Nomination Agreement basis having identified this as the university’sfinancial structure of choice.

University of the Arts London wanted to provide their students with highquality accommodation at an attainable rent within close proximity to theircampus. The Costume Store is located just two minutes walk from North Actontube station on the Central Line, three stops from the university campus atLime Grove. Other agreement structures constructed by Berkeley First include Joint Ventures, the income strip model, turnkey sales and lease agreements.

Photograph: styling booths

CAreFully CoNSidered, TAilor MAde deSiGN Unlike many student accommodation providers, we work closely with our university partners to ensure an end product that suits the specific requirements of their students is achieved.

The Costume Store, designed with arts students in mind, features a spacious art workshop complete with cutting tables, styling booths for hair and make up training and “dark room” space for photography. In addition to this there isa public art gallery for students to display their work, a WiFi enabled studentlounge and snug, an on site laundry, landscaped internal courtyards andan external Multi Use Games Area which features a small basketball court.

Photograph: student lounge

berkeley STANdArdS – QuAliTy AT The riGhT PriCe PoiNTDecades of experience go into each of our developments with the highest standard of workmanship and attention to detail applied throughout the development process. This level of quality is always coupled with an exceptional level of service ensuring that the inevitable challenges that arise during the construction period are dealt with head on, efficiently and at no additional cost to the client.

exCeediNG exPeCTATioNSAt Berkeley First, great importance is attributed to ensuring ourclients are happy from acquisition to completion. We understand thechallenges surrounding occupancy levels on a new accommodationscheme and in February 2012, we delivered a full sales and marketingsuite to aid the sales process for University of the Arts London.

Photograph: typical en-suite apartment

builT To lASTWe also understand the challenges facing owners and operators of student accommodation developments including the maintenance and longevity of a scheme. Whilst the interior and aesthetic design of the building was never compromised, substantial research was completed to ensure the most durable materials were used at all costs. The overall specification of the project was significantly enhanced to deliver a more attractive and maintainable building for the future.

Photograph: typical kitchen, dining room and lounge

Photograph: courtyard

our CoMMiTMeNT To A More SuSTAiNAble FuTureAs part of the Berkeley Group Vision2020 initiative, we are committed to achieve a minimum standard of BrEEAM Very Good for sustainability. It is anticipated that The Costume Store will achieve a BrEEAM Excellent rating.

The scheme provides a carbon reduction of 40%; double what was required when planning consent was granted in April 2010. The sustainable measures we have put in place at The Costume Store feature high quality insulation, a combined heat and power plant, green and brown roofs, sustainable urban drainage systems, soft landscaping and bat boxes. We recently received an award for the Considerate Constructors Scheme for excellent standards of consideration towards our workforce, neighbours and the environment and this is something we are extremely proud of.

OTHEr BErKELEY FIrST DEVELOPMENTS1 Liberty Quays, Victory Pier, Medway – 1,100 beds alongside University of Kent

2 Goodman’s Fields, London E1 – 618 beds alongside Student Castle

3/4/5 Griffon Studios, London Battersea – 566 studios alongside Imperial College London

6 Victory Pier, Medway – 800 residential apartments

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rosie NesbittInvestment Manager

rosie.Nesbitt@berkeleygroup.co.uk 01932 584 53207825 823 818

Berkeley First LimitedBerkeley House 19 Portsmouth road Cobham Surrey KT11 1JG

www.berkeleyfirst.co.uk

Our visionfor the future

www.berkeleyfirst.co.uk

FOr FUrTHEr INFOrMATION ON BErKELEY FIrST AND ANY POTENTIAL OPPOrTUNITIES PLEASE CONTACT:

Photograph: The Costume Store exterior at night