Our integrated real estate platform, encompassing development, property and investment management adds value for our investors and other stakeholders because it is an essential enabler in delivering and managing rental housing at scale. It also provides us the capability to access capital to drive scale. Over time, this ensures that our investors can benefit from economies of scale.
Being a vertically integrated firm also enables us to deliver superior investment management performance by driving value across the full spectrum from acquisition to development to disposal to leasing to managing the properties, which results in better investment outcomes.
The knowledge that we acquire from developing projects flows into making investment decisions for new acquisitions. Managing properties with a focus on customer experience has enabled us to have a high tenant retention ratio, which produces higher returns to investors.
At Acorn, we are constantly exploring ways to pioneer new approaches, products and services that enhance the value of our proposition, improve the experience of our tenants and further empower our employees.
System innovation has been used to drive operational efficiencies while design enhancements have enabled us to be more flexible, save space and reduce costs without compromising on quality, reliability or the indoor environment.
Technology is a disruptive force across all industries, including real estate. What customers seek from real estate is constantly changing, necessitating a constant evolution of products. Our experience, scale, and culture of innovation make us uniquely positioned to drive change at asset and corporate levels.
Qwetu is our flagship purpose-built student accommodation brand providing students with the most conducive environment, amenities, and services to enable them to thrive and succeed during their college and university years. The properties feature quality self-contained studios and a full range of amenities including 3 tier security, clean residences, multiple room types, free residents’ gym, free Wi-Fi, student lounges, and more. Qwetu is home to a large and diverse community of students from over 60 nationalities and over 119 universities and colleges in Nairobi. It also offers access to free learning courses on Skillshare.
Our objective is to provide a secure, comfortable environment and take care of the bills so our residents don’t have to hustle – we remove all barriers to their pursuit of success.
For more information visit www.qwetu.co.ke
Our Qejani PBSA product is all about affordability. This offering serves to provide quality and safe accommodation at a price that the vast majority of students can afford and who would otherwise have been locked out from access to quality accommodation.
Qejani provides two types of shared accommodation and communal washroom facilities that are maintained and managed as our Qwetu brand.
Our first Qejani development, Qejani Karen, is now open to students.
For more information visit www.qejani.co.ke
Palma is our purpose-built accommodation for young professionals that captures the essence of youthful optimism. The Palma project is currently in phase 0, the discovery phase. This stage includes project set up, data collection and review, target customer segment insights, concept benchmarks, market size estimation and a feasibility study of the project.
All of our actions are centered on safety first and premised on optimizing the three key pillars of project delivery: time, cost and quality. This focus has meant that our partners achieve their development goals consistently.
Combining insights from multi-faceted teams with local knowledge, years of experience and a commitment to long-term value creation, we craft sophisticated structures designed by prominent and award-winning architects.
The development management function in Acorn is undertaken by Acorn Management Services Limited.
Qwetu currently has 2 properties under development and 2 properties in the pre-development phase. The three properties will provide approximately 2,500 total beds and will cater to the University of Nairobi (Medical School), Kenyatta University, and University of Nairobi (Main Campus) environs in Nairobi.
There are 4 flagship Qejani properties in development and 2 in the pre-development phase, adding an additional 9,000 beds. These properties are Qejani Chiromo, Qejani JKUAT, Qejani Hurlingham, Qejani KU, Qejani Norfolk and Qejani Parklands.
Palma is our purpose-built accommodation for young professionals that captures the essence of youthful optimism. The Palma project is currently in phase 0, the discovery phase. This stage includes project set up, data collection and review, target customer segment insights, concept benchmarks, market size estimation and a feasibility study of the project.
With our business model focused on rental housing, we have established operational excellence as a core value. Emphasizing the importance of property and facility management, we deliver unparalleled service, asset management, energy efficiency and the reduction of real estate investment risk.
Our commitment to the importance of property management is exemplified by the development of a customized software program to manage building operations. This software enables us not only to manage leasing, tenant renewals and rent collections but also, expenses and resolution of maintenance issues, including any complaints raised by tenants.
The property management function in Acorn is undertaken by Acorn Management Services Limited.
The properties under management have a cumulative capacity of over 6,000 beds and are situated at strategic locations to provide easy accessibility to respective campuses. Our properties cater to students from over 60 countries and over 119 universities and colleges, providing them with a unique student living experience. Qwetu Student Residences have become the preferred choice of stay for college students studying in Nairobi. By the year 2030, we expect to have 60,000 beds in order to satisfy merely 9% of the demand for affordable and quality student accommodation in Nairobi.
6,000
Beds Under Management
60,000
Beds Under Management by 2030
We take a long-term view in investment management, where we seek to manage risk, build resilience and generate sustainable returns. This allows us to target the right set of investors for the products we offer.
The central focus of our investment management vertical is the two Acorn Student Accommodation Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) which were launched in February 2021. The Acorn Student Accommodation Development REIT (ASA D-REIT) undertakes the development of Qwetu and Qejani student hostels and the Acorn Student Accommodation Income REIT (ASA I-REIT) purchases all completed and stabilized operational properties from the D-REIT and holds them for the long-term.
The investment management function in Acorn is undertaken by Acorn Investment Management Limited.
The Acorn Student Accommodation D-REIT (ASA D-REIT) is the investment vehicle for developing PBSA from green and brown field land acquisition to construction and initial marketing. Once the assets have achieved stable occupancy, they will be sold to the ASA I-REIT on a commercial arms-length basis. The profits earned from the sales will be channeled to new developments and dividends.
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Projects Under the ASA D-REIT
The Acorn Student Accommodation Income REIT (ASA I-REIT) is the investment vehicle for holding the income generating purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) rental units on a long-term basis to give investors steady dividends and capital appreciation over time.
05
Operating Properties Under the ASA I-REIT
