Key Takeaways
- • Blacksand Company (Closed), a Bahrain-based investment firm, has completed more than $250 million in UK real estate acquisitions, bringing its total UK real estate investment to over $400 million, according to TradeArabia News Service.
- • Blacksand plans to launch a UK student accommodation fund valued at over $160 million targeting purpose-built student accommodation in leading UK university cities.
- • The firm sold a student accommodation property in Newcastle upon Tyne to Newcastle United Football Club for more than $30 million, which it cited as evidence of full-lifecycle asset management.
- • Acquisitions span logistics, commercial offices, car parking and purpose-built student accommodation, including a prime UK regional distribution centre, the Q-Park Royal Liverpool Hospital car park and a City of London office building.
- • CEO Mohamed Jasim Alshaikh described the milestone as evidence of the firm's ability to identify opportunities, execute complex deals and create long-term value.
Summary
Blacksand Company (Closed), a Bahrain-based investment firm, has completed more than $250 million in UK real estate acquisitions and intends to launch a student accommodation fund valued at over $160 million, according to TradeArabia News Service. The firm said the combined activity brings its total UK real estate investment to more than $400 million, which it described as a significant milestone in its growth. Senior officials made the remarks on the sidelines of the fourth edition of Gateway Gulf in Manama.
The acquisitions cover logistics, commercial offices, car parking facilities and purpose-built student accommodation. Key transactions cited include a prime UK regional distribution centre, the Q-Park Royal Liverpool Hospital car park and an office building in the City of London. Blacksand also completed the sale of a student accommodation property in Newcastle upon Tyne to Newcastle United Football Club for more than $30 million, which the company presented as evidence of its ability to manage investments across the full lifecycle, from acquisition and active asset management through to exit.
CEO Mohamed Jasim Alshaikh said the acquisitions reflect the firm's capacity to identify opportunities, execute complex deals and manage assets to create long-term value for investors. He said the Newcastle exit further demonstrates the breadth of the company's investment capabilities and highlighted the firm's contribution to Bahrain's standing as a regional financial centre.
The planned UK student accommodation fund will target purpose-built student accommodation in leading UK university cities. The proposed value-add strategy will focus on selective acquisitions, refurbishment, operational improvements and active asset management, with the aim of generating sustainable income and long-term capital appreciation. The company said the strategy relies on acquiring assets at attractive entry prices and improving performance through targeted investment and disciplined management.
The acquisitions cover logistics, commercial offices, car parking facilities and purpose-built student accommodation. Key transactions cited include a prime UK regional distribution centre, the Q-Park Royal Liverpool Hospital car park and an office building in the City of London. Blacksand also completed the sale of a student accommodation property in Newcastle upon Tyne to Newcastle United Football Club for more than $30 million, which the company presented as evidence of its ability to manage investments across the full lifecycle, from acquisition and active asset management through to exit.
CEO Mohamed Jasim Alshaikh said the acquisitions reflect the firm's capacity to identify opportunities, execute complex deals and manage assets to create long-term value for investors. He said the Newcastle exit further demonstrates the breadth of the company's investment capabilities and highlighted the firm's contribution to Bahrain's standing as a regional financial centre.
The planned UK student accommodation fund will target purpose-built student accommodation in leading UK university cities. The proposed value-add strategy will focus on selective acquisitions, refurbishment, operational improvements and active asset management, with the aim of generating sustainable income and long-term capital appreciation. The company said the strategy relies on acquiring assets at attractive entry prices and improving performance through targeted investment and disciplined management.
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