Pinsent Masons advises UQ Partnerships on landmark University of Liverpool student accommodation joint venture

The innovative partnership will support the refurbishment and long-term management of 237 existing student accommodation units at Mulberry Court, helping to meet growing demand for high quality and affordable housing for post-graduate students studying at the University of Liverpool. The transaction is the first in a wider programme of strategic partnerships that UQ Partnerships intends to pursue with higher education institutions across the UK.

Pinsent Masons provided UQ Partnerships with a multidisciplinary team spanning projects, property, finance and corporate. The Pinsent Masons team was led by partner Chris Owens, supported by Catherine Howe, Catherine Hemsworth and Ria Bennett.

Richard Stott, Joint Managing Director at UQ Partnerships, said: "Thank you to the outstanding Higher Education team at Pinsent Masons for their expertise, commitment and unwavering support in helping bring the UQ Partnerships Mulberry deal to completion with the University of Liverpool. This transaction represents much more than a property deal; it is the foundation of a long-term partnership that will deliver affordable, high-quality student accommodation and create lasting value for the University. We are grateful to have had such a knowledgeable and collaborative legal team alongside us throughout the journey."

Chris Owens, Partner at Pinsent Masons, said: "This innovative joint venture between UQ and the University of Liverpool creates a framework for a long-term strategic relationship that will deliver tangible benefits for students and the University alike. As universities continue to look for new ways to invest in and modernise their estates, collaborative partnerships like this demonstrate how institutions and private sector partners can work together to unlock value, improve the student experience and deliver sustainable accommodation solutions.”

Pinsent Masons has extensive experience advising universities, investors and accommodation providers on major student housing and campus infrastructure projects. Recent work includes advising the University of Manchester on the landmark redevelopment of their Fallowfield student campus.