A block of student flats along one of the busiest roads in Reading has changed hands in a sale.
Berkshire House along Kings Road was successfully converted from offices into 145 student flats in 2017.
Recently the provider of the accommodation, called CityBlock, has completed the sale of all of the ensuite studio rooms to an Oxford-based investment company.
As a result, CityBlock is no longer responsible for the management of the building, student welfare or customer care, with all aspects of management having transferred to Homes for Students in early July.
CityBlock is a family-owned provider of high-quality student accommodation and the King’s Road site was the company’s first venture into the town.
Repurposed from what was once a 1960’s office building, CityBlock worked closely with architects to transform Berkshire House with a new industrial aesthetic.
The conversion involved replacing grey brick with a red brick exterior, and an upward extension to provide more apartments.
A Premier convenience store is located within the same building.
CityBlock successfully opened to students in 2017, and since then, the company has managed the property which currently houses 145 students.
An internal photo shows a shared living area with a wide screen TV, a pool table, board games and study rooms.
Trevor Bargh, CEO at CityBlock, said: “With Berkshire House, we had the opportunity to work with architects to design and build student accommodation that was truly fit for purpose.
“To be able to design a facility purely with students in mind was an incredible privilege, and a responsibility we took seriously. On opening, the reaction was just what we’d aspired for, but now it is time to pass the building on to new owners.”
As part of the sale, one of CityBlock’s Lancaster-based developments, known as Gillows, has also transferred to the new owners.
CityBlock retains the ownership and management of two further purpose-built and high-end developments in Lancaster on Penny Street and Marton Street, which together house over 130 UK and international students, and four commercial tenants.
CityBlock Operations Director, Alison Bargh said: “Transferring ownership of the properties is not a decision CityBlock has taken lightly.
“Yet, knowing we have provided thousands of students with the highest quality facilities and amenities for many years gives us peace of mind that we are leaving behind a very worthwhile legacy.”
Prior to the conversion of Berkshire House the building was marketed as offices, with an advert on Complete Office Search stating that it provided modern fitted, air conditioned offices with high quality furniture.
