Cordia International Zrt. has acquired U.K. developer Blackswan, financing the transaction by using funds collected from the bond issuance under National Bank of Hungary\u2019s (MNB) Bond Funding for Growth Scheme, according to a press release sent to the Budapest Business Journal.<\/p>\n
The company\u2019s latest acquisition marks its first investment in the UK market.<\/p>\n
The acquisition allows Blackswan to deliver a GBP 550 million project pipeline across the West Midlands.<\/p>\n
The press release says that the U.K. company will continue to operate under the Cordia Blackswan brand and be led by the current management team.<\/p>\n
The deal was brokered by Tony Haran, Midlands head of residential investment and build to rent expert in CBRE\u2019s residential team. He advised Cordia on their first U.K. residential acquisition, following an initial fact-finding trip to the city.<\/p>\n
Tibor F\u00f6ldi, chairman of the board of Cordia, says, “Our goal is to become one of the leading and most diversified residential development groups in Europe. The acquisition and recapitalization of Blackswan is not only our debut in the United Kingdom, but the latest milestone of our international expansion strategy.”<\/p>\n
G\u00e1bor Fut\u00f3, founder and majority owner of Futureal Group notes, “The Blackswan team shares the same values Futureal Group was built on: integrity, creativity, perseverance and team spirit. We also share a common desire to build lasting value for the communities we are working in by creating great new buildings, vibrant public spaces, respecting and building on heritage and having the imagination and commitment to pursue transformational urban renewal projects.\u201d<\/p>\n
Marcus Hawley, managing director and founder of Blackswan adds, “Blackswan\u02bcs vision has always been to create sustainable places that enable people to live happier, richer, and more fulfilling lives. Being part of Cordia will allow us to fulfill that vision by delivering a GBP 550 million pipeline of projects across the West Midlands. We are excited to join the Cordia family as they share our vision of creating new, well-designed places where people want to live, work, play and learn.”<\/p>\n
Tony Haran says, “This is a huge vote of confidence in Birmingham\u2019s residential sector and could facilitate the delivery of up to 2,500 new homes in the city by an experienced and well-financed developer. Cordia has big ambitions for the UK and it is a testament to Birmingham\u2019s place on the international investment stage that it has been chosen first, as the stepping stone for their plans.”<\/p>\n
Blackswan Property was founded by Marcus Hawley in 2009 and focuses on residential-led mixed-use developments in the West Midlands region. Projects currently include The Lampworks, a 124 home build-to-rent apartment scheme and The Gothic, an ambitious reanimation of listed and heritage buildings that will create a new residential and leisure destination, both located in Birmingham\u2019s Jewellery Quarter, on the edge of Birmingham City Centre.<\/p>\n
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