| Role: | Strategic Development and Operating Partner across multiple UK sites |
| Status: | Pre-development |
| Partners: | John Lewis Partnership (JLP) and abrdn |
| Uses: | Residential |
Over the past five years, Milligan has worked closely with the John Lewis Partnership (JLP) to help establish a fully integrated Build to Rent (BTR) development, operating, and investment business, making use of JLP’s extensive property portfolio. This initiative is part of JLP’s ambition to help address the UK housing shortage while diversifying its business.
Milligan has provided strategic support across the full development lifecycle – from initial feasibility, planning, and investment strategy, to project delivery. We’ve helped shape a pipeline of schemes and overseen the first three projects from concept through to planning.
Milligan introduced global investor Aberdeen to the opportunity, culminating in a £500m, multi-decade joint venture to deliver the first 1,000 homes of JLP’s wider 10,000-home ambition.
The first three projects were announced in June 2022 at existing Waitrose sites in Bromley South and West Ealing, and at a former John Lewis customer service centre on Mill Lane, Reading.
All planning applications were submitted in 2023 and 2024. In August 2024, JLP secured a Resolution to Grant for the Bromley South site – its first fully designed and developed BTR scheme. Planning decisions for West Ealing and Reading are expected in 2025.
Milligan has been an integral part of the JLP client team, providing strategic oversight, leading multi-disciplinary project teams, and guiding every aspect of development – from setting briefs and shaping designs, to planning, procurement, and financial modelling.
This is a major undertaking that draws on the full breadth of Milligan’s expertise, creativity, and ability to lead complex, large-scale regeneration projects.
Alongside its development pipeline, JLP is also growing its operational footprint in the sector. It now manages over 800 BTR homes across the UK on behalf of funds managed by Aberdeen – including 259 homes in Birmingham (added in 2024), 326 homes at Clarendon Quarter in Leeds, and 232 at Queen Street Quarter in Leicester. More locations are in the pipeline.
JLP’s BTR offer is underpinned by the trust, quality, and service associated with the John Lewis brand – values that will be consistently reflected across all future developments.
