Long Harbour to forward fund 105 homes in Essex
UK real estate investment manager Long Harbour has agreed to forward fund 105 single-family homes in Newhall, a significant residential development in Harlow, Essex. The deal, executed through a forward funding structure with housebuilder Vistry Group, marks the first investment by Long Harbour’s latest single-family housing (SFH) fund.
The homes form part of the wider Newhall masterplan, a 2,135-unit mixed-use development featuring extensive community infrastructure. The first handovers are expected in April 2026. Two on-site hubs — incorporating a supermarket, coffee shops, a beauty salon, a primary school and a nursery — are currently under construction. Future phases will include green space, sports pitches, and a playground.
Harlow’s designation as an enterprise zone supports advanced manufacturing, life sciences and creative industries through tax incentives and accelerated planning approval. The town is between London and Cambridge, with direct access to the M11 and London Stansted airport less than 20 minutes away.
The acquisition was made on behalf of Long Harbour’s new SFH fund, which recently secured a £300 million equity commitment from South Korea’s National Pension Service. The vehicle is targeting an initial deployment of £600 million in forward-funded, forward-purchased and standing stock opportunities, with a total fundraising target of £1.2 billion. The focus is on acquiring new-build homes across the south and south-east of England.
“The fund’s first single-family housing investment will deliver much-needed new homes as part of the Newhall masterplan, an area with great potential for future growth given its strategic location,” said Jack Spearman, managing director of single-family housing at Long Harbour.
“This transaction also marks the start of our ambitious deployment plans for Long Harbour’s single-family housing platform.”
Will Cazaly, investment director at Long Harbour, added: “Demand for single family housing is at record highs and we hope to make an impact by plugging the gap between supply and demand. Harlow offers strong fundamentals since it is an established rental market, demonstrating strong rental growth, with its mid-market rents attracting younger or middle-income earners who may be priced out of commuter towns closer to London.
“Its proximity to London and Cambridge, as well as the advantages it offers from the Harlow enterprise zone, make it an attractive location for renters.”
The deal is Long Harbour’s first with Vistry. Located 15 minutes by train from Long Harbour’s multifamily developments in Tottenham Hale — The Sessile and The Gessner — the Newhall site complements the firm’s broader residential strategy. Its lettings platform, Way of Life, manages single and multifamily portfolios.
