NEW OPENINGS

Investment across the UK and Europe underlines the strength of the buoyant apartment sector

A plethora of exciting projects are coming online in 2018

If there is one sign of the continuing growth of the serviced apartment sector, it is the number of openings taking place over the next few years.

Some of these are in areas where there is considerable investment, like Manchester, which is being transformed to the tune of billions of pounds. The city's airport is benefiting from a £1billion project and the University is spending £1billion on the campus, which will include the opening of a 116-room Staybridge Suites property.

And then there's Corridor Manchester, an innovation district of 243 hectares that connects the city centre and surrounding neighbourhoods. Not surprisingly, all this activity has attracted blue chip organisations such as the BBC, RBS and Deloitte.

In nearby Liverpool, Australia-based Quest Apartment Hotels has signed its first UK location – a £10million scheme in the city centre, due to open in 2019. Edinburgh is one of the fastest growing and productive cities in the UK, and a £500million urban quarter is planned for 43 acres of land south of Edinburgh Park to be undertaken by property developer Parabola.

Amsterdam is another centre of attention, with Eurostar’s service from St. Pancras to the Dutch city coming on line at the end of the year. The city is strong in financial and business services, IT, media, the creative sector, higher education and logistics and has proven its appeal as a start-up hub.

“The Dutch seem to value interaction and welcome the opportunity to engage with foreigners,” says director of Cycas, John Wagner, who moved there three years ago.

“One of the ways they make you feel welcome is their willingness and ability to speak English. I never cease to be amazed at the universal skill of the average Dutch person to speak English – in restaurants, shops, public transport... even street sweepers.”

The following list is an indication of serviced apartments opening across the UK in 2018.