The first of 373 homes built exclusively for rental – with prices starting at £24,000 a year – are about to become available at a £160m housing development in Cambridge. Present Made, which describes itself as the UK’s first purpose-built and designed single-family rental housing platform, was appointed by the University of Cambridge “to develop sustainable smart homes as part of its ambitious 150-hectare Eddington masterplan”.
Eddington, just outside the city centre, is the first site within Present Made’s initial £1.6bn development pipeline, which will see over 3,000 rental homes delivered across the south of England.
The company has a further three sites in the Oxford-Cambridge Arc in addition to Eddington, with further announcements expected later this year.
Present Made boost the homes will be “professionally managed, well-designed houses and apartments alongside state-of-the-art shared facilities and green spaces.
“Allowing renting to feel like an elevated lifestyle choice rather than a compromise, Present Made’s private houses and apartments will boast an on-site gym and fitness studio, cinema rooms, co-working, green spaces and more.
“Aiming to create welcoming communities where great design and service is at the forefront, Present Made homes will allow residents to feel safe, comfortable and supported”.
The new built-to-rent development is made up of “373 pet-friendly homes including three and four bed houses and with one to three bed apartments” says the company.
Operations director Anthony Lewis says “We’re extremely proud of what we have created at Present Made and believe we are setting a new standard and laying the groundwork for an evolution within the rental market.
“Our homes have been carefully curated by an expert team with vast experience in property, sustainability and interior design and these skills have helped deliver a development that is breaking barriers and disrupting the rental market.
“We’re looking forward to continuing to change renting for the better and will be bringing Present Made to other upcoming areas around the country in the future.”
On-site gyms, cinema rooms, pet spa, community-led events and more are included in Present Made’s ambitions for the new development.
Each home features ultrafast Wi-Fi and Bosch appliances as well as a 24/7 onsite team. Tenants can also decorate each home as they please.
Present Made says applying for a home is made easier through “a simple application process, with no deposit required and flexible-length contracts”.
In its mission statement the company says: “We believe homes aren’t built; they’re made – from how you decorate to the memories you make. We believe renting should be a preferred lifestyle of choice not compromise.
“So, we develop every neighbourhood thoughtfully with people and planet at heart.”
Apache Capital, which funded the Eddington housing development, describes it as a “mixed academic and urban community: a place that is sustainable, long lasting and ambitious offering a high quality of life to enhance both the City and the University of Cambridge.
“The vision for the 150-hectare development includes: 3,000 homes; 2,000 student bedspaces; 100,000 sqm of new academic and commercial research space; as well as space for senior living, a community centre, supermarket and shops, health facilities, a primary school and nursery, a hotel and extensive open space and landscaping”.
Brian Nearney, commercial director of the University of Cambridge, said: “Eddington sets the standard in sustainable living.
“Unprecedented in its ambition and scale, Eddington is part of the University’s plans to safeguard its future as a world-leading university by providing key workers, students and the wider community with a vibrant place to live.
“Present Made will take a unique role at Eddington with the delivery of highly sustainable family homes and their on-going community development work which complements the overall masterplan vision.”
