PROPERTY investment firm Kanebridge has appointed lawyer Matthew Bode as chief operating officer to spearhead its new build-to-rent (BTR) premium leasing division, as it plans to develop 1,800 new homes worth $1 billion by 2022, including Sydney’s Marsden Central.
The new business, Kanebridge Lifestyle Services (KLS), will take the US BTR models (developments designed for long-term tenancies) to a new level in Australia by offering residents double the level of premium services than those offered in other markets.
Bode brings 25 years’ experience in property finance law, institutional banking and corporate finance, having worked in major global law firms in London, Hong Kong, the Cayman Islands and Sydney.
Most recently, he was head of banking and finance at national law firm Colin Biggers & Paisley. He previously spent five years as a banking and finance partner at Gadens.
In his new role, he will assist Kanebridge to work with institutional investors and private funds looking to get involved in BTR projects.
“Kanebridge Lifestyle Services will revolutionise how Australians regard renting. Unlike in overseas markets, Australians look at renting as an inferior alternative to owning a property. However, the recent shift in the Australian property landscape and tightening liquidity in the home loan space has colluded to produce the key to unlocking a unique long-term leasing model here,” Bode said.
“We believe premium leasing, with five-star hotel-style services, is the only build-to-rent model that will work in Australia. Having lived around the world and seen the success of build to rent in the UK, I’m looking forward to building this service for the Sydney market.
“We expect that by 2022, we’ll be providing premium leasing housing to thousands of long-term tenants across our north-west Sydney developments and other sites in Greater Sydney.” Bode concluded.
Australian Property Journal
