Gamuda Land is scaling new heights in the United Kingdom, deepening its footprint in one of the world’s most competitive property markets with a diversified portfolio that now spans residential, commercial and purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA).

The company’s biggest milestone to date is the £1.2 billion redevelopment of 75 London Wall, a major commercial-led regeneration project in the heart of the City of London. The project, which broke ground in early 2025, represents Gamuda Land’s largest overseas investment and a significant step into the UK’s institutional-grade property sector.

"75 London Wall is a statement of intent," said Chu Wai Lune, CEO of Gamuda Land.

"It’s a long-term play that reflects our confidence in the UK market and our ability to compete on a global stage, while staying true to our town-making values."

Upon its completion in September 2027, the 14-storey 75 London Wall will have a net lettable office space of over 450,000 sq ft. It is set to become a grade-A sustainable top-tier office, targeting three sustainability performance ratings, namely BREEAM ‘Outstanding’, WELL Core ‘Platinum’ and NABERS UK 5 Star Design.
 

Diversifying into Student Housing
Alongside its flagship commercial development, Gamuda Land is actively expanding into the PBSA sector. Its latest project at City Wharf in Glasgow, is a joint venture with Dandara Living and features 492 student beds integrated into a broader mixed-use neighbourhood. The development follows the company’s first PBSA in Woolwich, London — a 299-bedroom scheme delivered in partnership with Q Investment Partners (QIP).

Together, these projects form part of Gamuda Land’s strategy to deliver 3,000 student beds across key UK cities by 2029, tapping into a sector driven by strong demand and long-term resilience.
 

Why Student Housing, and Why Now?
The move into the PBSA sector is backed by solid market fundamentals:

• The UK is a global leader in higher education, home to 15 of the world’s top 100 universities

• The UK is home to over 2.2 million full-time students, with international student enrolment outpacing the growth of domestic students.

• Persistent Supply-Demand Imbalance: The UK has consistently faced pronounced shortage of student accommodation. CBRE's analysis reveals a deficit exceeding 350,000 PBSA beds across major university towns, with Greater London alone facing a shortfall of 106,000 beds—a 45% increase since 2017/18. This gap underscores a robust demand for quality student housing.

• Increasingly challenging environment for smaller private landlords with the 5% additional stamp duty hike on 1st April 2025 and tighter rental regulations will further drive demand to professionally managed, institutional-grade PBSA.
   

The UK real estate market offers a blend of transparency, resilience, and institutional interest that aligns with Gamuda Land’s growth aspirations. PBSA is a structurally resilient and counter-cyclical asset class, underpinned by sustained demand from both domestic and international students. It is also viewed as a defensive investment that is less exposed to political cycles or volatility, making it a stable asset for long-term capital.

“The PBSA sector aligns well with our strengths — we’re not just building accommodation, we’re designing better living environments for students through thoughtful planning, sustainability, and community integration,” said Chu.

In line with Glasgow’s climate targets and planning policies, the PBSA at City Wharf is designed with a strong emphasis on sustainability. It will integrate low- and zero-carbon technologies, including air-source heat pumps, to achieve a BREEAM Very Good rating.

The PBSA in City Wharf addresses the acute shortage of high-quality student accommodation in one of the UK’s most vibrant and undersupplied student markets.

A Measured and Strategic UK Expansion
Gamuda Land entered the UK market with West Hampstead Central in North London, a boutique residential development completed and fully sold in 2024. With West Hampstead, Woolwich, City Wharf, and 75 London Wall in its portfolio, the developer is growing its presence with a measured approach that combines high-growth sectors with institutional-grade opportunities.

"Our UK strategy is to build a diversified and resilient portfolio — balancing short and long-term assets, from income-generating PBSAs to value-accretive commercial projects," said Chu.

He added that Gamuda Land is actively pursuing several more PBSA opportunities across key university cities in the UK.

Creating Value, Home and Abroad
As a homegrown developer with a growing global presence, Gamuda Land continues to draw from its experience in master-planning award-winning townships like Gamuda Gardens, Gamuda Cove and twentyfive7 in Malaysia. The same principles — placemaking, sustainability, and community building — are now being applied in its projects across Vietnam, Australia and the United Kingdom.

“Expanding abroad has sharpened our capabilities and broadened our perspective,” added Chu.

“It gives us valuable insights into evolving lifestyles, regulatory frameworks and urban challenges — which in turn strengthens the way we plan, design and deliver our projects back home in Malaysia.”

Looking Forward
With ongoing projects in Vietnam, Singapore, Australia and the UK, Gamuda Land’s international ventures are a core pillar of its long-term growth strategy. To date, the company has invested over £340 million (RM1.91 billion) in the UK market, with plans to invest a further £220 million (RM1.24 billion) as it scales up its presence in high-growth corridors.

This expansion into the UK is part of Gamuda Land’s broader investment blueprint, which includes RM10.5 billion in capital deployment over the next five years, and a total projected gross development value of RM26 billion across key markets.

“With strong capital commitment, we are steadfast in scaling our long-term presence in the UK with confidence. And we are actively seeking like-minded partners to match equity in these developments,” Chu stated.

“The UK is a sophisticated and matured market — one that rewards long-term thinking and quality execution. We believe there’s a real opportunity for strategic co-investment that delivers both financial and social returns”

Over the next five years, the company is targeting a balanced sales contribution of 40% from Malaysia, 45% from Vietnam, and 15% from the UK, Australia, and other regions. As it deepens its UK footprint, Gamuda Land’s priority remains clear: delivering high-quality, sustainable developments that respond to the country’s evolving market dynamics and long-term housing needs.

“As we build our footprint abroad, we’re proud to bring the same values and quality that we’re known for at home,” said Chu.

“It’s about creating places that stand the test of time — wherever they are in the world.”