RAPIDLY expanding property developer Strawberry Star Group has today announced a long-term partnership with Irish construction giants JJ Rhatigan (JJR). This exclusive alliance is the first of its kind for both firms on this scale, enabling JJR to expand their reach in the UK residential sector, whilst strengthening Strawberry Star’s ambitious housing commitment to deliver 2,000 new homes by 2025.

JJR are currently Strawberry Star’s construction partner for its flagship project LU2ON, delivering phase one of the £280m residential-led mixed-use scheme by Spring this year. The construction firm now bring their expertise in the sector to Strawberry Star’s remaining portfolio of projects, which include LU2ON phase two, as well as schemes in Harlow, Wembley and Kenton. The gross development value (GDV) across all four schemes is expected to exceed half a billion pounds.

Chairman of Strawberry Star, Santhosh Gowda, said: “It was a natural fit for us to partner with a construction firm with such a track record of delivering excellent quality housing using some of the best sustainability practices in the sector. The trust established between our two businesses based on LU2ON’s initial success has led us to take this relationship to the next level. By forging this long-term alliance, we can leverage each other’s strengths wherever necessary and significantly enhance our delivery capabilities. The partnership will shape our business for the future.”

With 1,000 units already planned or under construction, Strawberry Star is concentrating on the needs of home buyers, home movers, buy-to-let landlords, firsttime buyers, as well as providing investors with a fully managed buy-to-let experience. All four of the mixed-use schemes that are underway are set to bring significant regeneration to each area, contributing to the local economy to boost house price growth and entrepreneurial investment.

Santhosh adds: “JJR will play a vital role in realising our volume housing vision; to create 2,000 new homes by 2025 whilst setting new standards in high-quality housing in Greater London.”

Ger Ronayne, C.E.O. of J.J. Rhatigan & Co. stated: We have a reputation for construction excellence and we share Strawberry Star’s vision to deliver much needed mixed-use schemes that everyone can be proud of. This partnership has evolved from the excellent working relationship and mutual trust we have established with Strawberry Star over the past two years, particularly on the Lu2on project and will provide a strong pipeline of work for J.J. Rhatigan & Co. in the Greater London area over the next few years. This will provide a springboard for us to grow our business even further in the UK and particularly in the Greater London area.”

“This is the type of collaboration we strive for at J.J. Rhatigan & Co. with all our clients and ultimately it will be mutually beneficial to both our clients and ourselves”