Fusion & Cheyne secure site for living sector development

UK living sector developer and operator Fusion Group, in partnership with Cheyne Capital, has agreed to acquire Plot B of Dockside Canada Water from Art-Invest Real Estate. 

Dockside Canada Water

This acquisition will pave the way for a new development featuring 742 purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) beds and 79 affordable homes (C3). This project aims to address the significant demand for student housing in Southwark and across London, thereby easing pressure on the broader residential market.
Dockside Canada Water is a strategically important redevelopment in London, situated at the entrance of British Land's 21.5-hectare Canada Water masterplan, one of the city's largest regeneration projects in half a century. Art-Invest Real Estate will maintain a stake in Plot B.
This acquisition is part of Fusion's larger development strategy, which aims to deliver an additional 9,000 beds across the living sector by 2030, bringing its total operational beds under management to at least 12,000. This marks the eighth collaboration between Fusion and Cheyne, and their third project in London, following two schemes in Brent Cross Town. 
The transaction is expected to finalise later this month, in December 2025.
Richard Pilkington, CEO at Fusion Group, said: “Whilst we continue to see market challenges in delivering Living Sector Assets in the current economic and regulatory environment, we have found a way with Art-Invest to unlock this opportunity at Canada Water, a hugely exciting and developing area of London, through our work with our partners, Cheyne Capital. Delivering both PBSA beds and affordable homes in partnership with Cheyne supports the continuing growth of our business and, in particular, our development and operational capabilities in London, which is a key area of growth for us.”
Hamish Gordon, director in Cheyne Capital’s Real Estate Group of Cheyne Capital, commented: “The student housing market continues to be driven by considerable demand, with an increasing appetite for well-located and high-quality developments across the UK and particularly in London.”
Ali Abbas, managing director, Art-Invest Real Estate UK, added: “Our strategic decision to diversify our Dockside office-led masterplan has enabled us to bolster the growing educational living quarter in Canada Water and create an invaluable incubator for talent and business as the new destination continues to evolve. I am delighted to bring on board Fusion and Cheyne and conclude this sale whilst maintaining an interest.”