CVC DIF’s student accommodation platform, Ottoway Portfolio Holdings (“Ottoway”), has expanded its footprint in the United Kingdom through the acquisition of two purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) assets.
The newly added properties, Beaverbank Place in Edinburgh and Firhill Court in Glasgow, bring approximately 750 additional beds to Ottoway’s portfolio. With this acquisition, Ottoway’s nationwide capacity now exceeds 5,000 beds.
Details of the Acquisition
The assets were acquired from Mapletree Global Student Accommodation Private Trust, strengthening Ottoway’s existing platform, which is part of the DIF Infrastructure VI investment portfolio. Prior to this transaction, Ottoway’s holdings already comprised eight student accommodation assets across the UK.
Both Beaverbank Place and Firhill Court are located in prominent university cities characterized by a strong supply-demand imbalance for student housing. The properties are supported by nomination agreements with leading universities and currently operate at high occupancy rates, reflecting the growing demand for quality student accommodation in these markets.
Commitment to Value Creation and Sector Growth
Gijs Voskuyl, Managing Partner at CVC DIF, stated, “The acquisition of Beaverbank Place and Firhill Court is a significant step in our value creation strategy for the Ottoway platform. By expanding and diversifying our Ottoway portfolio, we are better positioned to address the evolving needs of the student accommodation sector. This acquisition underscores our commitment to providing high-quality living arrangements for students and supporting the educational landscape.”
Ottoway continues to focus on delivering student-centric accommodation solutions across thriving academic hubs in the United Kingdom. Backed by favourable demographic trends and increasing demand, the platform remains actively engaged in pursuing new growth opportunities. Through strategic partnerships with leading universities, Ottoway aims to further strengthen its role in the UK’s resilient student accommodation sector.
DIF - An active infrastructure investor
DIF focuses on infrastructure asset investing, including public-private partnership/concessions, and has been increasingly active in the market following its acquisition by CVC’s funds in 2023. Leveraging the global scale and expertise of CVC, CVC DIF continues to strengthen its presence across critical sectors, including energy, transport, and social infrastructure, such as student accommodation, with recent transactions including:
