Joint venture secures funding for new 175 room aparthotel in Oval

A joint venture between Melt Homes and Espalier Ventures has received a £3.5m property development facility to help fund a new 175-room aparthotel in Oval.

The companies will acquire a mixed-use property at 68‐86 Clapham Road in Oval, and in its place, develop the aparthotel subject to receiving planning permission.

The site is located within walking distance of several Zone 1 underground stations – Oval, Stockwell and Vauxhall – as well as the South Western railway line, providing services to Clapham, Waterloo and Guildford

Formed in 2002, Melt Homes is a property development and investment group which over the last 17 years, has built over 100 properties in London Gloucestershire and Kent and accumulated a portfolio of over 50 residential and commercial properties.

Espalier Ventures is a private family investment office with a growing portfolio of businesses and investments in international higher education, property, social impact and leisure.

Evan Maindonald, director at Melt Homes, said: “We are very excited about this project – the site is an excellent location and has so much potential, especially given how popular the area is with tourists and cricket fans. Whenever there is a need to submit planning permission, speed is of the essence, which is why we felt OakNorth Bank would be the right partner for this transaction.

“Hemesh and the team have a thorough understanding of the market, as well as a wealth of experience working with joint venture structures, so were able to design a facility that met our needs in the timeframe we needed it.”

Rick Gibbs of Espalier Ventures, added: “We are delighted to be involved in this deal with Melt and OakNorth. It is our fifth deal in the last six months and is a good fit for us, given that we are looking to increase our exposure to Real Estate investment with a particular focus on Aparthotel, Co-Living and selected areas of Prime Central London.”