Orka Investments has completed the acquisition of 249-bed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme Vista Square in Liverpool, with support from Investec Real Estate.
The Vista scheme comprises 204 self-contained studios and 45 en-suite rooms
The scheme, on the edge of Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter within walking distance of the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University, was acquired in partnership with an unnamed global real estate investor.
The deal brings Orka’s UK PBSA portfolio to 2,329 beds across seven schemes.
Meanwhile, the joint venture, which targets PBSA developments in Russell Group cities now has a portfolio with 1,761 beds across five developments.
The JV was launched in December with three acquisitions in Birmingham, Glasgow and Aberdeen totalling 1,300 beds.
Vista Square is fully let for the 2026-27 academic year and comprises 204 self-contained studios, making up 80% of the units, and 45 en-suite rooms in five-bedroom cluster flats.
Amenities on site include a sky lounge, roof terrace, gym, sauna, cinema room, study hub and private dining room.
Philippe de Croÿ-Solre, vice president, investments at Orka Investments, said Liverpool has one of the “deepest student markets in the country and students there have plenty of choice, so the gap between the best buildings and the rest keeps widening”.
He added: “Demand at the top of the market is moving towards newer schemes with proper amenities and good service, and towards studios in particular. Buildings that have not kept up will find it harder to let.
“At the same time, construction costs and the new building safety regime are holding back development, so much of the next generation of quality student housing will come from upgrading existing schemes.”
The Vista Square deal was part-funded through acquisition financing provided by Investec Real Estate.
Investec also financed Orka’s acquisition of the 226-bed Hill View Place scheme in Exeter last week.
The asset, which is adjacent to the University of Exeter’s Streatham Campus, opened in 2022 and is fully let for the 2026-27 academic year.
Sebastian Walley, loan originator at Investec Real Estate, said: “Student accommodation financing opportunities remain attractive where a disciplined borrower is acquiring a high-quality asset in a catchment with strong underlying student demand.
“Liverpool is an established university market, with two large universities, which makes Vista Square a compelling addition to Orka’s portfolio. We are pleased to continue supporting Orka and its joint-venture partner as they grow their platform across leading UK university cities.”
