The scheme combines refurb and new-build. Credit: via FTI Consulting

Barwood bags Investec backing for Birmingham PBSA

8 June 2026 15:21 Neil Tague Comments (0)

The bank has provided a £19.25m senior development loan to finance delivery of a 233-bed student accommodation scheme in Edgbaston.

Working with the property company for the first time, Investec Bank’s corporate real estate team has provided a 36-month facility for the development and stabilisation of the PBSA asset.

Barwood Capital’s scheme is a village-style student campus on the former St Chad’s Hospital site off Hagley Road, originally constructed in 1808.

Barwood acquired the £30m scheme in August 2025 – its first foray into the sector – working with PBSA developer Cassidy Group and investor Dudley Taylor.

The St Chads Student Village project involves the retention and refurbishment of a pair of grade two-listed buildings, along with delivering three new buildings, with the target for delivery being the start of the 2026/27 academic year.

The loan has been structured to provide flexibility around the accelerated construction and delivery programme, said the bank.

Alice Harman, originator, real estate finance at Investec Real Estate, said: “This transaction demonstrates our ability to support new clients with flexible, development-focused funding solutions, even where delivery timelines are compressed.

“By structuring a bespoke facility, we have helped Barwood progress a complex PBSA scheme that combines heritage refurbishment with new-build development, delivering much-needed student accommodation in a highly sought-after location. It has been a pleasure to work with the Barwood team on this facility.”

Ed Henson, director and head of transactions for Barwood, said: “We are delighted to have worked with Investec Real Estate on this exciting project.

“The Investec team took a refreshingly commercial outlook on the intricacies of this deal, which involved a complex development programme, including elements of new build and conversion, within a corporate structure that included external funding partners and development managers.”

Investec has provided around £1.2bn of funding to the UK PBSA sector since 2011. Recent examples include a £47m refinancing for a YourTRIBE scheme in Elephant & Castle, London, and a £26m development loan to Moorfield Group for a 204-bed scheme in Bristol.