Frankham Projects was appointed by Goldsmiths, University of London to undertake a review of potential disposal assets throughout the campus in light of cost saving measures following the global pandemic.

A number of options were tabled with appropriate strategies to maximise value prior to disposal, including development programmes and risk registers. Following this exercise, the properties on Laurie Grove were identified as the most suitable for an immediate disposal.

The properties were a series of Victorian terraced houses that converted into teaching areas and lecturing offices but which required continued investment and were effectively a square peg in a round hole when compared to purpose built accommodation given the limited equal access ability and ad-hoc nature of the conversions.

A strategy to bring these properties back into residential use was identified via the permitted development pathway and Frankham was instructed to progress a fully managed ‘one-stop shop’ planning solution that delivered a residential use class consent for the client within the disposal programme. A full national marketing strategy was run concurrently and following a two stage selection process, a final cash buyer was identified. Their final offer, at a figure where contracts were completed, was in excess of 60% above the book value of the properties held by the Trust.