A former tax office – Crown Buildings – was purchased by London based property developer, HJ Collection in Q4 of 2019. It has plans to be refurbished and extended into a new Build to Rent development, with 112 one- and two-bedroom apartments. It is due to complete next year, despite challenges posed by Covid-19.
“Despite the challenges experienced as a result of COVID-19, HJ Collection have worked hard to ensure all current developments, including the Crown Buildings, will not be impacted and will still complete on time.”
Reece Mennie, Founder and CEO, HJ Collection
The site is being developed in partnership with Empire Property Concepts, a Northern construction firm. Works continued on the site where possible during Covid-19 but has now fully started – as architects updated development plans and building regulations to start the next phase of the build.
Crown Buildings is one of three current developments from HJ Collection. It’s being developed alongside a commercial and residential unit in Barnsley town centre and a 14-apartment site in Doncaster. All developments offer Build to Rent and Buy to Let, with sustainable and environmentally friendly features.
The Crown buildings development comes at a strategic time, as St Helens Council and The English Cities Fund announce their partnership to renovate St Helens town centre. Early work includes £200m commercial and leisure investment.
“With clear plans for the Council to renovate the region, our decision to invest and develop in St Helens will prove incredibly valuable, not only as we deliver promised returns to those who invested into the HJ Collection asset-backed bond, but also in offering either residents, professionals or private landlords new, high-end apartment units on completion.”
Reece Mennie, Founder and CEO, HJ Collection
During 2020, Reece Mennie and the HJ Collection team continue to focus on acquiring and refurbishing new developments, especially as the UK enters a buyers market.
“HJ Collection has been created to revolutionise the development sector and the asset-backed loan note market by diversifying risk for investors and developing attractive residential sites in strategic locations across the UK.
“With strong financial expertise and development experience, HJ Collection is positioned to take advantage of the buyers market we now face and are focused on acquiring new sites to aid the continued growth of our portfolio in the coming months.”
Reece Mennie, Founder and CEO, HJ Collection
