Harris Associates & CBRE launch Forge + Mill, an outstanding dual-city Build to Rent opportunity in Sheffield and Leicester
Harris Associates and CBRE, are delighted to announce the launch of Forge + Mill, a unique two-asset stabilised Build to Rent (BTR) portfolio comprising Iron Yard in Sheffield and The Saxons in Leicester.
Delivered by Oblix Living, Forge + Mill represents a rare opportunity to acquire two premium, freehold assets that are fully operational, income-producing and built to the highest institutional standards. Both schemes achieved 100% occupancy within just three months of completion, underlining the strength of tenant demand and the resilience of their respective rental markets.
Both Iron Yard and The Saxons were comprehensively redeveloped, stripped back to shell and core before being rebuilt to deliver new top quality residential communities. Every major building system has been replaced, with both assets achieving an A1-rated EWS certificate, full residential sprinkler systems, three independent stair cores and a complete Building Safety Act 鈥淕olden Thread鈥� of information. This institutional-grade profile ensures long-term resilience and risk mitigation for investors.
Forge + Mill is priced below replacement cost, providing immediate value and is a rare opportunity to acquire two institutional quality operational regional assets, without having to take development risk. With 100% private one and two bedroom units, the portfolio avoids exposure to harder-to-rent units and aligns directly with demand from young professionals and city-centre workers. Both assets are freehold, offering investors complete ownership and control.
Alex Matthews, Head of Build to Rent at Harris Associates, said:
鈥淔orge + Mill brings together two fully stabilised, design-led BTR assets in cities with excellent growth fundamentals with the wider future supply of both markets being constrained. With pricing below replacement cost, resilient income from day one, and institutional credentials across both buildings, this is an exceptionally rare opportunity for investors to acquire scale in two dynamic regional markets.鈥�
Giovanni Pilla, Director at CBRE, said:
鈥淔orge + Mill is a standout opportunity in the Build to Rent market – combining two high-quality, fully compliant, stabilised assets in strong regional city-centre locations. Access to this calibre of investment is extremely limited, and we鈥檙e delighted to bring such a rare, income-producing portfolio to market.鈥�
As part of the launch Harris Studios has spearheaded a digital-first campaign, including an interactive magazine and two resident interview videos that capture the lifestyle and community experience first-hand:
Explore the digital magazine here:
Watch the resident interview videos here:
Sheffield:
Leicester: