GAMUDA Land is scaling new heights in the United Kingdom, expanding its footprint in one of the world’s most competitive property markets.
The company’s diversified portfolio now spans residential, commercial and purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA).
Its biggest milestone to date is the RM7bil (£1.2bil) redevelopment of 75 London Wall, a major commercial-led regeneration project in the heart of the City of London district.
The project, which broke ground in early 2025, represents Gamuda Land’s largest overseas investment and a significant step into the UK’s institutional-grade property sector.
“75 London Wall is a statement of intent. It’s a long-term play that reflects our confidence in the UK market and our ability to compete on a global stage, while staying true to our town-making values,” said Gamuda Land chief executive officer Chu Wai Lune.
Upon its completion in September 2027, the 14-storey 75 London Wall will have a net lettable office space of over 450,000 sq ft.
It is set to become a Grade-A sustainable top-tier office, targeting three sustainability performance ratings – Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) “Outstanding”, WELL Core “Platinum” and National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) UK 5 Star Design.
Diversifying into student housing
Alongside its flagship commercial development, Gamuda Land is actively expanding into the PBSA sector.
Its latest project at City Wharf in Glasgow, Scotland – a joint venture with Dandara Living – features 492 student beds integrated into a broader mixed-use neighbourhood.
The development follows the company’s first PBSA in Woolwich, London – a 299-bedroom scheme delivered in partnership with Q Investment Partners.
Together, these projects form part of its strategy to deliver 3,000 student beds across key cities in the UK by 2029.
Gamuda Land’s move into the PBSA sector is backed by solid market and economic drivers, including:
> Leader in global education: The UK is home to 15 of the world’s top 100 universities, with over 2.2 million full-time students. International student enrolment is outpacing the growth of domestic students.
> Persistent supply-demand imbalance: The UK has consistently faced a shortage of student accommodation, highlighting the need for quality student housing. Real estate and investment firm CBRE’s analysis reveals a deficit exceeding 350,000 PBSA beds across major university towns, with Greater London alone facing a shortfall of 106,000 beds – a 45% increase since 2017-2018.
> Changing rental landscape: The increasingly challenging environment for smaller private landlords, with the 5% additional stamp duty hike on April 1 and tighter rental regulations, will further drive demand to professionally managed, institutional-grade PBSA.
The UK real estate market offers a blend of transparency, resilience and institutional interest that aligns with the company’s growth aspirations.
The PBSA in City Wharf in Glasgow, Scotland, addresses the acute shortage of high-quality student accommodation in one of the UK’s most vibrant and undersupplied student markets.
PBSA is a structurally resilient and counter-cyclical asset class, underpinned by sustained demand from both domestic and international students.
It is also viewed as a defensive investment, less exposed to political cycles or volatility, making it a stable asset for long-term capital.
“The PBSA sector aligns well with our strengths. We’re not just building accommodation, we’re designing better living environments for students through thoughtful planning, sustainability and community integration,” added Chu.
In line with Glasgow’s climate targets and planning policies, City Wharf’s PBSA is designed with a strong emphasis on sustainability, integrating low-carbon and zero-carbon technologies, including air-source heat pumps, to achieve a BREEAM “Very Good” rating.
Strategic expansion
Gamuda Land entered the UK market in West Hampstead Central in North London, a boutique residential development, completed and fully sold in 2024.
With West Hampstead, Woolwich, City Wharf and 75 London Wall in its portfolio, the developer is growing its presence with a measured approach, combining high-growth sectors with institutional-grade opportunities.
“Our UK strategy is to build a diversified and resilient portfolio, balancing short and long-term assets, from income-generating PBSAs to value-accretive commercial projects,” said Chu.
He added that the company is actively pursuing several more PBSA opportunities across key university cities in the UK.
Creating value
As a homegrown developer with a growing global presence, the company continues to draw from its experience in master-planning award-winning townships like Gamuda Gardens, Gamuda Cove and twentyfive7 in Malaysia.
The same principles – placemaking, sustainability and community building – are now being applied in its projects across Vietnam, Australia and the UK.
“Expanding abroad has sharpened our capabilities and broadened our perspective.
“It gives us valuable insights into evolving lifestyles, regulatory frameworks and urban challenges, which, in turn, strengthen the way we plan, design and deliver our projects back home in Malaysia,” said Chu.
Looking forward
With ongoing projects in Vietnam, Singapore, Australia and the UK, the developer’s international ventures are a core pillar of its long-term growth strategy.
To date, it has invested over RM1.91bil (£340mil) in the UK market, with plans to invest a further RM1.24bil (£220mil) as it scales up its presence in high-growth corridors.
This expansion is part of Gamuda Land’s broader investment blueprint, which includes RM10.5bil in capital deployment over the next five years, and a total projected gross development value of RM26bil across key markets.
“With strong capital commitment, we are steadfast in scaling our long-term presence in the UK with confidence. And we are actively seeking like-minded partners to match equity in these developments.
“The UK is a sophisticated and mature market – one that rewards long-term thinking and quality execution. We believe there’s a real opportunity for strategic co-investment that delivers both financial and social returns,” said Chu.
Over the next five years, the company is targeting a balanced sales contribution of 40% from Malaysia, 45% from Vietnam and 15% from the UK, Australia and other regions.
As Gamuda Land strengthens its UK footprint, its priority remains clear: delivering high-quality, sustainable developments that respond to the country’s evolving market dynamics and long-term housing needs.
“As we build our footprint abroad, we’re proud to bring the same values and quality we’re known for at home,” said Chu.
“It’s about creating places that stand the test of time – wherever they are in the world.”