background
At MDPL, I joined a team focused on reimagining underused office spaces as vibrant residential communities. Specializing in Build-to-Rent (BTR) projects, we worked on co-living and student accommodation developments to address London’s growing demand for modern, affordable rental housing.
problem
London faces a severe housing shortage, with demand far outpacing supply. The affordability gap has left many unable to buy homes, creating unprecedented pressure on the rental market. At the same time, rising office vacancy rates due to flexible work trends meant underutilized commercial spaces were becoming liabilities instead of assets.
solution
We focused on acquiring distressed office buildings and transforming them into purpose-built rental spaces that foster community living. My contributions included:
• Sourcing and Analysis: Developing guidelines to identify properties with high conversion potential and running financial and operational models for project viability.
• Investor Relations: Creating investment packs and securing funding for projects by building compelling cases for adaptive reuse.
• Team Collaboration: Working with architects, planners, and consultants to ensure smooth execution and compliance at every stage.
result
Over two years, we successfully converted multiple office spaces into over 500 co-living and student accommodation units. These projects addressed critical housing needs while revitalizing underused commercial properties.
In the process, I developed my first software program - Policybot, discovering where my true passion lies.