Starlight Investments Completes First Phase of 231-Unit The Parklands Build-to-Rent Community in Dartford
DARTFORD, UK — Starlight Investments has completed the first phase of The Parklands, a master-planned build-to-rent community in Dartford, Kent, the Toronto-headquartered real estate investment and asset management firm announced July 30, 2026.
The milestone marks the delivery of 58 rental homes across two residential buildings, representing the initial phase of a development that will total 231 suites across seven residential buildings at full build-out.
Phase One Details and Unit Mix
The newly completed residences offer a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes with modern finishes and layouts. The development is positioned adjacent to Central Park in Dartford and within close proximity to Dartford Station, providing residents with rail and road access to Central London and surrounding employment centres.
The Parklands' branding and visual identity are drawn from its Central Park adjacency, with a design narrative centered on the intersection of nature and urban living.
"The completion of the first phase at The Parklands reflects our continued commitment to delivering high-quality rental housing in communities where demand continues to grow," said Jonnie Milich, Head of UK Residential at Starlight Investments. "The Parklands is an important addition to Dartford's housing landscape, bringing new rental homes to market as part of a thoughtfully designed community that will continue to evolve as future phases are completed. We are pleased to welcome our first residents and look forward to continuing to bring this community to life."
Amenities and Full Build-Out Plans
As future phases are completed, residents will gain access to a residents' lounge, fitness centre, yoga studio, co-working space, and an approximately 2,000-square-foot rooftop terrace. The completed community will also provide 163 resident parking spaces, representing a parking ratio of roughly 0.7 spaces per unit.
Starlight's phased delivery approach — launching 58 units across two buildings before bringing the remaining 173 units to market — allows the firm to begin generating operating income and track leasing performance while future phases remain under construction.
Starlight's UK Platform and Strategy
Starlight Investments is a privately held owner, developer, and asset manager with approximately 70,000 multi-residential suites and more than 7 million square feet of commercial property space globally, with CAD $30 billion in assets under management. The firm's UK residential platform comprises approximately 4,000 homes and £1.1 billion in assets under management.
The Parklands represents what Starlight describes as another step in its continued growth in the UK and its focus on high-growth rental markets across the region. The development strategy at Dartford — a master-planned, amenity-rich build-to-rent community in London's commuter belt — reflects a broader emphasis on suburban and Greater London markets where institutional-grade rental product has historically been limited.
Dartford Market Context
Dartford is characterized in the announcement as "one of the most well-connected and rapidly growing markets within London's commuter belt," supported by road and rail infrastructure linking residents to Central London and key employment centres. The town's proximity to Dartford Station underpins the transit-oriented positioning of The Parklands.
The UK rental housing market, particularly across the South East and Greater London commuter corridor, faces structural undersupply of professionally managed rental stock. Institutional build-to-rent has expanded as investors seek income-stable assets backed by sustained rental demand. The Parklands is framed by Starlight as directly addressing growing demand for rental housing and broadening housing choice in the Dartford market.
The Parklands' position fronting Central Park is presented as a competitive differentiator, with access to green space having become a key tenant preference in the post-pandemic period.
More information on The Parklands is available at theparklands-dartford.co.uk.
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