Track Record

Abbey Wall is a rundown Freehold Terrace of 'End of life' industrial buildings, with potential for a mixed use residential-led development.

When we acquired this 6,000 sq.ft property on a competitive basis in 2017 it was divided into 11 self-contained studio flats. We immediately saw its potential, and worked with architects to create an additional 3,450 sq.ft of usable space. Alongside a new basement and an extra storey, we inserted a new steel frame within the building to support new mezzanine floors. The final result was 15 new self-contained flats for rental which have been retained within the Cowell Group portfolio.

The Cowell Group recognised the Archway Campus as a site of great interest which at the time of inspection had D1 use with limited potential.

After inspecting the site we understood that with the correct scheme there was huge potential for a residential development with the various buildings on the property comprising in excess of 180,000 sq ft.

Our in-house design team was able to design a policy compliant scheme, which consisted of affordable accommodation, private residential and student accommodation.

This enabled us to successfully purchase the property.

This property is a substantial unmodernised freehold terrace house arranged as three flats, which is in need of a full renovation and conversion back in to a single residential dwelling.

A substantial portfolio of 32 properties located in mainly South London postcodes with planning issues and unauthorised occupiers. During the time of our ownership we valued each building individually and successfully sold and developed those assets as well as successfully asset managing and sorting out the planning issues and occupational tenants.

As part of the Cowell Group's strong asset management policy, we obtained planning permission for 5 flats above the existing building. Building works commenced in December 2021 and we aim to complete the development by December 2022. The flats will be retained for continued investment.

This was a former “bin store” which Cowell Group managed to relocate elsewhere on the site in a more convenient location. Our in-house team designed a spacious 2 bedroom house which has now been retained for continued investment.

This is located in the “diamond district” of central London close to the City. It also backs on to Leather lane market which has excellent footfall.

The property was acquired for future development but Cowell Group have kept the upper parts for continued jewellery workshop use, which is important to the local community.

A freehold mixed use building we acquired for investment purposes during the height of Covid-19.

Ridley Road was acquired as a receivership sale, comprised of 33 studio apartments plus ground floor development potential.

There is huge future potential in this location and we are looking for further opportunities locally.

City fringe investment for future residential investment. Similar properties always required.

This is a prominent freehold shop with residential upper parts. Acquired during the COVID pandemic, we recognised this as an asset management opportunity, agreeing a new lease with Tesco and with the Garage workshop.

Freehold former pub premises acquired and rented to Tesco stores. Approximately 8,000 square foot with potential for redevelopment. Since the acquisition of this property we have achieved planning consent for a number of new apartments on the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd floors which will be part of the future development of the Cowell Group. The apartments will be rented to fit in with our business model.

Freehold property acquired from LPA receivers with a substantial Boots stores on the ground floor. Let on a commercial lease with vacant offices on the upper floors which we successfully obtained permitted development for residential flats. Although Cowell Group purchased this for future investment purposes it made commercial sense to sell the Boots store and the residential development to separate owners.

When Cowell Group acquired this property it was a Ground Floor and Basement unit let to Nationwide Building Society with three vacant floors of offices above but at that time the area had not started its regeneration. Nationwide vacated the property and we successfully rented the property to Costa Coffee. We achieved a change of use from commercial to residential including an extra floor and by reconfiguring the staircase area we were able to build nine flats. All the flats have been retained by Cowell Group and continue to be rented within the portfolio.

Cowell Group were offered the opportunity to acquire the whole of St John’s Wood High Street, which comprised of an unbroken parade of 17 properties including 26 shops, 4 offices, 36 residential flats with assured shorthold tenancies, 29 flats sold on long leases, a gym and 16 parking spaces. Despite market instability caused by the UK banking crisis, Cowell Group had the confidence and ability to navigate and successfully complete the acquisition of the owning entity’s share capital.

A freehold unbroken parade of 12 shops with 28 self- contained purpose built flats, with associated parking and site with planning for 9 self-contained flats. This parcel was acquired from a vendor who had had ownership for many years. During our period of ownership we asset managed the site to implement the development of the nine new residential flats and which were subsequently sold onto the open market on long leases as individual self-contained flats.

A freehold leisure investment comprising a nightclub and 2 apartments. Acquired from LPA receivers for redevelopment and re-gearing of the existing lease. Cowell Group carried out the development of the flats above the nightclub for future rental use and also carried out a refurbishment of the exterior of the building.

Located close to Earls Court & Olympia – the flat was originally bought as an investment with an assured tenant. Upon obtaining vacant possession planning permission was granted to convert the flat from 800 square foot to an approximately 1,500 square foot luxury residential flat by redeveloping the basement area. The flat continues to be held by the Cowell Group.

Freehold house arranged as flats with a regulated tenant - since converted to a single dwelling house. Currently let and managed on an AST within Cowell Group portfolio.

Two substantial red brick terraced houses in prime Maida Vale. Comprising of 20 self-contained flats (14 let on ASTs and 6 Regulated tenancies). The 14 AST flats were subsequently modernised and sold to private investors. The regulated tenancies were held for continued investment.

A freehold unmodernised property acquired for investment and future development. The lower ground floor flat has been retained for future investment.

Freehold adjoining detached villas totalling approximately 79 rooms which were let to the City of Westminster. Subsequently planning permission was obtained for a luxury development of flats and the affordable housing was provided off site and then sold to a developer.

A stunning freehold property in a prime riverside location in sought after Chelsea. The property is arranged as 12 high end self-contained apartments and associated parking acquired from receivers for rental. This was acquired during a downturn in the property market. The property was initially managed by the Cowell Group and eventually sold to overseas investors.

Acquired from joint administrators and receivers, a portfolio of 32 properties, mainly flats let on ASTs. Asking Price £8.9 million pounds, for Cowell Group Investors.

A freehold property in prime Chelsea comprising 3 self- contained flats (1 with a Regulated tenant). Acquired at public auction and retained for rental purposes. A development was carried out at a later date and ultimately sold off on the open market.

A freehold block of 21 flats acquired and fully refurbished for rental purposes and retained within the portfolio. At a future date we intend to look at the potential of this valuable asset for future development.

Prominently situated next to Holborn Circus and the jewellery shops of Hatton Gardens. The London Diamond Bourse is next door to the property. The property was asset managed by the Cowell Group and the decision was taken to sell the property when the existing lease came to an end and has recently been upgraded to provide approximately 35,000 square foot of office space.

A prominent freehold comprising a McDonald’s restaurant on the ground floor and multi let offices above located in China Town and acquired for investment purposes. Acquired by Cowell Group investors.

Acquired long leasehold period property for Cowell Group investors and let as head quarter offices and banking for HSBC Plc held for investment purposes. At the end of the HSBC lease the property was sold for onward development.

A freehold prime investment acquired in Mayfair comprising retail on ground floor and offices above which we subsequently converted into residential flats for rental purposes. Acquired by Cowell Group investors.

An attractive corner freehold building comprising ground floor restaurant and flats subsequently converted above for resale in this prime central London location. Acquired for Cowell Group investors for investment purposes.

A parcel of commercial investments located in Wembley, Sidcup and Farnham rented and subsequently asset managed to add value for resale.

A modern building of approximately 150,000 square foot with 20 years FRI lease to a 5A1 covenant and the benefit of fixed annual rental uplifts. The property was purchased as a joint venture with a property fund and asset managed by Cowell Group. Through turbulent times ultimately we regeared the lease to a FTSE100 company in order to increase the value of the asset for onward sale.

Acquired for investment purposes - a 157 room purpose built hotel conveniently situated for Luton Airport and opened in 2008. Acquired for Cowell Group investors for investment purposes.

Luxury 70 room hotel located on the banks of the Thames in Central London and acquired for investment purposes. Subsequently, the 13^th floor offices were acquired separately and integrated as 8 luxury suites into the main hotel thereby adding value and maximising opportunity. Acquired for Cowell Group investors for investment purposes.

Acquired a portfolio of five 4* Hilton Hotels in London, Manchester, Warwick, Stratford-Upon-Avon and Luton with multiple asset and income enhancement opportunities including redevelopment on site intensification. Totalling 900 rooms across 5 hotels (4 hotels of which are leased to Hilton and 1 hotel on a Management Agreement with Hilton). Acquired for Cowell Group investors for investment purposes.

Residential tower block comprising 50 flats currently let to a number of local authorities acquired for development and asset management potential. The property is situated opposite Barnet station giving easy access to Kings Cross station. A study was carried out to build above and the property was later sold for future development.

Cowell Group successfully acquired this redundant warehouse in trendy Shoreditch – formerly a stable for the Stag Brewery. The building had been used as artist studios and backed onto a busy railway line, and despite the site’s complexities we worked with consultant architects and engineers to secure planning and Railtrack consent for a 144-bed hotel with retail and restaurant use.

A flat in a popular portered mansion block with scope for refurbishment. Acquired for residential letting investment.

Thanks to our excellent track record and connections, we won a competitive tender to work alongside The Guinness Partnership to develop 64 apartments. Social housing units are retained by The Guinness Partnership, while Cowell Group have designed 28 high end luxury apartments. We achieved record prices per square foot on the sale of the flats, and continue to manage the block where were are currently carrying out further development.

A freehold block of seven apartments acquired in this prime tree-lined residential location. We purchased this property from receivers without the benefit of NHBC guarantees as a residential investment. Over a six month period we successfully carried out a redevelopment which enabled us to obtain the qualifying certificates so that the flats could be let on the open market.

A freehold property located off Baker Street. Arranged as an HMO and acquired with various statutory tenants with potential for asset management and future development potential, subject to the relevant consents.

A long leasehold store acquired with French Connection for future rent review and investment purposes. This was acquired by Cowell Group investors.

A freehold terrace of three properties consisting of nine flats, acquired for residential development and investment purposes.

A freehold shop with upper parts acquired for refurbishment into three self-contained flats for future investment purposes.

A freehold shop with upper parts located in this busy thoroughfare acquired for investment and future development potential.

Mixed use unbroken freehold period building located opposite Edgware Road tube station comprising four ground floor shops with eight flats on the upper parts acquired with development asset opportunities.

Acquired substantial freehold terrace house comprising of three flats (with regulated tenant) and with scope for development potential.

A freehold public house acquired with large upper parts and subsequently converted into nine residential flats for rental investment purposes. Originally comprising as six self-contained flats, planning permission was obtained and three further flats were built. More recently we have received consent to build two additional flats on the top floor.

A freehold portfolio of six buildings currently in the same family ownership for many years and arranged as twenty-five flats for future investment and potential break up.

Located in this prime location a 1,500 square foot lateral unmodernised flat acquired for development and investment purposes.

An unmodernised first floor 2,000 square foot flat acquired for refurbishment and investment purposes and located in this prime location off Reddington Road.

In the same family ownership for many years with 100% share capital – purchase of the owning company which comprised an entire mews of light industrial properties located behind high street shops. Acquired for a future planning gain for residential development.

Located opposite Harrods flagship store is this prime lateral 2000 square foot lateral flat acquired for refurbishment and future investment purposes.

Cowell Group acquired two unmodernised properties by private treaty on one of Hampstead’s most sought after streets, the old houses were being used as offices by a well-known charity.

The charity remained in situ for two years while it developed a new headquarters building, after which time we successfully obtained planning consent for two homes.

After vacant possession planning was required to regulate the position and the offices were converted into 2 super luxurious high end houses.

A parade of shops and upper parts acquired for future capital growth and investment purposes. Parts of the property have been converted for residential use in order to increase income.

A freehold double shop let to Costa Coffee with residential flats above. We acquired the head lease to add value to the investment and subsequently the freehold interest.

A substantial freehold office block acquired with McDonalds restaurant on the ground floor and with vacant offices above for future rental and investment purposes.

A head leasehold investment of 2 shops and 9 flats situated on arguably the best high street in London and acquired for investment purposes.

A luxury flat in this prime location acquired for investment purposes.

A freehold shop and upper parts located in this popular thoroughfare - acquired for asset management and future redevelopment potential. The original tenants surrendered their lease which enabled us to redevelop into two self-contained flats.

A freehold shop with offices above located close to Earls Court station and acquired for future redevelopment purposes.

Located on this busy high road next to Chiswick Park offices and opposite Gunnersbury station is this substantial freehold comprising a pub with five residential luxury apartments above and four town houses at the rear. It was acquired with future development potential. We continue to run the property and have recently carried out a successful rent review. We are also currently in the process of adding more flats to the property.

A tenanted mid terrace freehold building made up of a retail unit with three flats which Cowell Group recognised as an asset management opportunity in a strong location.