Apache Capital has launched Present Made, the UK’s first purpose-built and designed vertically integrated single-family Build to Rent housing platform. Present Made is owned and funded by Apache Capital, and it will design, build and operate the Build to Rent homes.
Present Made – Apache Capital’s second UK Build to Rent platform – will deliver over 3,000 smart homes using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) as part of its first phase, with a focus on suburban locations across southern England. The company will then own and operate these homes for the long-term.
The first three sites in the company’s £1.6bn development pipeline are in the Oxford-Cambridge Arc, one of the UK’s most productive and innovative regions – but with some of the highest housing costs outside of London.
“Four years in the making, Present Made from the outset has been designed around our future residents’ needs and the growing importance of ESG considerations to both our residents and investors alike.
Richard Jackson, Managing Director and Co-founder at Apache Capital and CEO at Present Made
“Despite record numbers of families renting, no purpose-built single-family rental housing exists in the UK. Present Made will cater to this growing but under-served segment of the rental market by providing high quality smart homes designed and built specifically for rent, delivered through precision engineering and operated by our own dedicated in-house team.
“The biophilic designs, amenities and services provided at Present Made communities are all intended to help promote mental and physical health and wellbeing, where living sustainably is second nature.”
Present Made Build to Rent homes will sit in master-planned, landscape-led communities – designed to promote active and healthy lifestyles that support mental and physical wellbeing. Residents will have access to extensive in and outdoor amenities, as well as a professional onsite team responsible for security, maintenance and organising regular social events – which is included in the rental cost.
To make homes suitable for renters of all ages, Present Made communities will have a soft play area for children as well as onsite dining, working and exercise facilities. The company is looking to cater to the 1.8m families with children who rent in England.
Present Made homes will be precision engineered in a factory environment to create higher quality homes with fewer defects. By using MMC – such as off-site manufacturing – the company will deliver more energy efficient homes at a faster pace and with less waste, energy consumption and disruption to local communities compared to traditional construction.
Reduced construction time means developments will be income producing and stabilise quicker than a Build to Rent scheme delivered through traditional methods – a key benefit for investors.
The use of MMC is key to Present Made’s net zero carbon operational target by creating homes that are more energy efficient and in turn reduce living costs for residents. MMC typically reduces carbon emissions during construction by 50% through high levels of recycling, less waste and reduced vehicular traffic to the site as a constant flow of materials isn’t required.
To further enhance energy efficiency, Present Made homes will integrate the latest smart home technologies – such as sensors that monitor and control energy usage. Present Made developments more widely will incorporate low carbon technologies such as Photovoltaic panels, District Heating System, Combined Heat and Power System and Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery.
“The disruption caused by Covid-19 has encouraged investors to explore new emerging asset classes that are structurally supported and less vulnerable to technologically-driven trends. As such, we are seeing clear and growing investor interest in the UK single family housing market.”
Sue-Lin Heng, Managing Director, Eastdil Secured
