North East promotes innovative build-to-rent developments to unlock regional housing potential
The North East of England is set to highlight the expansion of its build-to-rent (BTR) housing sector with the inaugural Newcastle and Sunderland Study Tour, hosted by the Association for Rental Living on October 8-9. This carefully curated event aims to provide investors, developers, and consultants with a comprehensive view of the region’s purpose-built rental developments, affirming the sector’s pivotal role in meeting local housing needs.
Delegates will explore a mix of multi-family and single-family residential schemes across key sites, including Grainger’s The Forge and the Pottery Lane project by Olympian Homes, in partnership with Hines, which is set to become Newcastle’s largest purpose-built rental scheme. The tour also covers Vistry’s Freight Village in Gateshead and Sigma’s West Park Quarter in Sunderland. These developments underline the region's shift towards sustainable housing solutions and investment-led regeneration, integrating residential living with economic growth and urban revitalisation strategies.
City councils from Newcastle and Sunderland will lead discussions on housing demand, regeneration efforts, and wider economic trends impacting the North East, emphasising the strategic importance of BTR in addressing the region’s housing challenges. The initiative highlights not only housing delivery but also the creation of thriving, mixed-tenure communities, supported by vibrant local economies.
Paul Beattie, chair of the Association for Rental Living NE & Yorkshire Hub Steering Group, commented on the event’s significance, stating: “Newcastle and Sunderland demonstrate the considerable opportunities emerging in the North East for rental living investment. Both markets offer a dynamic environment for future growth, with strong and growing demand for high-quality rental living schemes underpinning the sector’s robust evolution. Yet the full Build to Rent potential in the region has not yet been unlocked.” His remarks underscore the region’s promising but still developing status within the national BTR landscape.
One standout asset featured on the tour is The Forge, located on Forth Banks, Newcastle. Acquired by Grainger plc, the UK’s largest listed residential landlord, for £57 million, The Forge is a stabilised income-producing BTR scheme completed in 2019 and the only one of its kind in Newcastle. Comprising 283 residential apartments and a commercial unit, the development also offers 3,500 square feet of high-quality resident amenities, including an onsite gym, residents’ lounge, and flexible co-working spaces. Helen Gordon, Grainger’s chief executive, praised The Forge as meeting the company’s high standards and noted its strategic importance for Grainger’s growth plans as it delivers immediate rental income from its home city.
Another major development propelling the local BTR market is Pottery Lane, a large-scale, 325,000 square foot scheme being delivered in two phases, which will result in 519 private rental homes featuring one and two-bedroom apartments. The project includes around 10,000 square feet dedicated to amenities such as a gym, co-working spaces, roof terraces, and a cinema room. Work on Pottery Lane has accelerated following a funding deal with American investment firm Hines, led in partnership with Olympian Homes. The development is projected to complete its first phase by early 2026, with the second phase following in 2027.
Together, these initiatives signal a significant shift towards purpose-built rental housing in the North East, responding to growing demand for high-spec quality rental accommodation while contributing to regional regeneration. The study tour serves as a platform for showcasing these market-leading projects and fostering dialogue among stakeholders, strengthening the pipeline for future investment in BTR across the region.
This event and the developments it highlights reflect a wider national trend towards build-to-rent properties as a key solution for housing shortages, offering long-term rental options with enhanced amenities and community integration. However, industry leaders note that despite notable progress, the North East’s BTR potential remains under-realised, indicating substantial room for further expansion and innovation in the coming years.