Flow Student expands with Preston acquisitions, nearing 10,000 beds
MCR Property Group strengthens its foothold in the North West with two significant acquisitions in Preston, adding 668 beds to its expanding student accommodation platform and moving closer to its ambitious operational target.
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The acquisition of Moor Lane Halls and Walker Street in Preston marks another significant milestone for MCR Property Group’s Flow Student platform, a portfolio that now exceeds 8,600 beds across the nation. The two properties represent not merely an addition to the existing estate, but a strategic consolidation of the group’s presence in a market of considerable undergraduate demand.
What distinguishes MCR Property Group’s approach is its commitment to transformation beyond acquisition. Rather than simply expanding through the purchase of existing schemes, the group has embarked upon a comprehensive programme of refurbishment across both buildings. Bedrooms, communal areas and shared facilities will all benefit from thoughtful upgrades, ensuring that each property meets the exacting standards expected by today’s discerning student occupants. The refurbishment programme is due to commence imminently, setting the trajectory for these assets’ long term performance.
The strategy itself speaks to a measured, value driven philosophy. MCR Property Group identifies properties with latent potential, invests meaningfully in their improvement, and through careful stewardship, unlocks their capacity to perform strongly over time. This approach has proven remarkably effective, allowing the group to grow Flow Student organically whilst maintaining quality across its expanding portfolio.
Beyond these two Preston acquisitions, the group is pursuing an equally intriguing avenue for growth: the repositioning of existing buildings within the wider MCR portfolio into student accommodation. This internal transformation offers a distinct advantage, allowing the group to realise the dormant value within assets already owned whilst simultaneously expanding Flow Student’s national footprint.
With 10,000 operational beds now firmly within reach, MCR Property Group’s ambitions appear not merely achievable but inevitable. The Preston acquisitions, coupled with its strategic vision for portfolio repositioning, suggest a company entering a new phase of maturity. Two acquisitions, a strengthened regional presence, and a trajectory pointed towards the next tier of scale: these elements converge to underline Flow Student’s position as one of the nation’s most thoughtfully managed student accommodation platforms.
Imagery courtesy of MCR Property Group (@mcrpropertygroup).
