GRE Assets is closing the year positively having enjoyed significant success across its active projects in both the UK and Spain, including Riverside Park in Ashford, Nene Wharf at Fletton Quays in Peterborough and Brises Diagonal Mar in Barcelona. The company is also looking ahead to future growth and potential new projects in 2022.
Michael El-Kassir, Managing Director of GRE Assets commented: “Despite continued industry challenges, 2021 has been a positive year for GRE Assets with further company growth. Sales performance has been strong, with our three major projects in Ashford, Peterborough and Barcelona, either fully or mostly sold out. This reaffirms our investment criteria, which recognises the need for high-quality homes in well-connected locations at prices which are in reach of first-time buyers. It also emphasises the trend in buyer priorities towards space to work from home and the provision of balconies or terraces.”
Below, we take a look back on what 2021 held for GRE Assets including construction progress and regeneration updates on our investment locations, as well as what is on the horizon in 2022 for the company.
Construction progress
The 70 apartments and 12 townhouses which make up the second phase at Riverside Park in Ashford have generated significant interest from investors and buyers in 2021, with only two apartments remaining. The much-anticipated sales launch of Phase 3, which encompasses 110 apartments and six houses, will take place in Q1 2022.
2021 also saw construction complete and all units sold out at the popular Nene Wharf at Fletton Quays in Peterborough project, which is part of the second phase of a £120 million regeneration scheme.
Over in the Mediterranean, the construction of Brises Diagonal Mar, a collection of two, three and four-bedroom apartments in the fast evolving Poblenou neighbourhood, is complete. With sales figures strong and only the last few units remaining, GRE Assets has created a desirable new community in Barcelona.
Continued investment in regional cities
We have long-championed regional towns and cities with excellent transport links and planned regeneration, so it has been great to see investment continue in these locations in 2021.
Over the past twelve months, there has been significant investment in the digital and creative sectors in Ashford. After being granted planning approval in April 2020, Ashford International Studios at Newtown Works has secured £14,773,745 of Levelling Up Funding in the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget. The £250m project proposes to transform a site that has remained unused since the 1980s into a mixed-use development centred around TV and film studios. Work has also progressed on the exciting new arts space on Javelin Way in Ashford, which will provide a permanent home for the rapidly growing dance company, Jasmin Vardimon Company.
Meanwhile, Peterborough has also seen regeneration progress, including the completion of our Nene Wharf at Fletton Quays project. As part of the upcoming ARU Peterborough, which is on track to open in September 2022, the Living Lab which will be able to accommodate thousands of STEM students was awarded funding as part of Peterborough City Council’s £20 million Levelling Up Fund bid.
Long-term delivery for clients
As well as building apartments in strategic locations across the UK and Spain, GRE Assets offers clients a full range of investment portfolio services including property management, tax and legal advice. This has been more important than ever in 2021 giving investors peace of mind that not only will they get strong returns on investment, but also everything is taken care of.
With growth set to continue into 2022 and beyond, the company is excited to launch GRE Homes, its single family housing brand in the new year. GRE Assets will also be prioritising socially conscious investment over the next 12 months, with significant consideration of the social and environmental factors impacting the property sector, ensuring opportunities are future-proofed for investors.
GRE Assets has been delivering high quality, well connected homes in the UK and Spain since 2006.
