Round Hill appoints UK firm to operate Cork and Dublin student apartment schemes

The centres in Cork are Broga House on the Western Road, Curraheen Point on Farranlea Road and Ashlinn House on the Bandon Road

Ashlinn House on Cork's Bandon Road is one of the student housing schemes to be run by UK property management firm Fresh. File picture: Larry Cummins

UK property management firm Fresh has expanded its operations in the Irish market, taking over the running of four of Round Hill Capital's student apartment accommodations.

The company is now running three centres in Cork and one in Dublin: Broga House, on Cork's Western Road in the former Square Deal site; Curraheen Point on Farranlea Road; Ashlinn House on the Bandon Road; and Ardee Point in Dublin's Liberties. 

The four sites operate under Round Hill Capital's Nido student accommodation brand. Since the contract was awarded, Fresh said it had successfully onboarded 1,343 student beds by April 1.

Sam Scott, Managing Director at Fresh, said the deal with Round Hill sees them expanding their operations in Ireland. "Taking on these four fantastic properties – our first in Cork and expanding in Dublin – marks an exciting step in growing our portfolio and bringing our market-leading management services to even more students," he said.

Kirk Lindstrom, Chief Investment Officer at Round Hill said they were pleased to entrust Fresh with the operational management and marketing of its Irish PBSA portfolio. 

"Fresh's expertise in the sector distinguished them from competitors and we believe that their management will provide a high-quality living experience for our residents and maximise the value of our assets," he said.

Fresh manages approximately 19,0000 build-to-rent, co-living and student accommodation homes for a wide range of clients across 58 operational properties. 

It is part of Watkin Jones Group, a UK developer and manager of residential for rent homes, with a focus on the Build to Rent and student accommodation sectors. Since 1999, Watkin Jones has delivered 49,000 student beds across 147 sites. 

Founded in 2002 by CEO Michael Bickford, Round Hill Capital has been investing in the living sector for over 22 years. The firm has transacted over $13bn (€11.4bn) of real estate and invested in more than 140,000 residential units and student housing beds.