Mobilisation
Mobilisation
Commencing mobilisation as early as possible on any Co-Liv project ensures that work on the creation of a brand and the scheme identity can commence. Design agency procurement and the brand creation process can take time and it is imperative to have the brand and assets ready 5-6 months prior to PC.
Another driver for the early start is for large scale procurement of operational elements that may need to be incorporated into infrastructure or impact operational income and expenditure such as security and access systems, broadband, utility contracts, private waste collections, and other building related FM contracts.
Lastly, we believe that by supporting the client and the process early we gain visibility on aspects that we can positively influence to create better outcomes for the contractor, the client, operations, and ultimately the resident. These outcomes inevitably impact the NOI for the building and this is one of the reasons why all of our Mobilisation team have operated BtR sites in their own right whilst our Asset Management teams have extensive multi-site BtR experience at a national level.
As part of our mobilisation service, we produce a bespoke GANTT project plan with key milestones and dependencies. This ensures our monitoring and oversight both internally and for our client. Full visibility and access is provided to our client and we welcome their own input on the timescales. Ultimately, we are here to help deliver an optimised product and to lease up as efficiently and as profitably as possible. Working with our client in a collaborative way ensures we understand their drivers and meet their requirements.
Another key element of our mobilisation service is the mobilisation budget, which, for many clients, forms part of the development cost (not post PC operations). We develop this budget separately from the Income and Expenditure budget ensuring client collaboration and approval prior to commencement of services and spend. An early draft form of this budget has been included on the reporting and budget comparison tab. Understanding our client's approach to the expenditure is vitally important. It ensures we are account for costs in their preferred P&L but also gives the opportunity to flag any matters they might not already have considered.
We believe mobilisation should commence a minimum of 12 months in advance of PC, if successful this will allow us to ensure operational input can be gained on all facets of management including budget, marketing and brand as quickly as possible.
It is vital that we work closely with the developer, contractor/s, and suppliers and are able to establish the operational site team, with a view to all operational aspects dovetailing in line with PC, whilst also managing all aspects of pre-let and ensuring a minimum of four months out the site is able to also be used for marketing, complete with a safe and appealing customer journey to the show flats. Mobilisation is itemised on a GANTT chart that maps the entire handover which demonstrates how to on-board, essentially moving the scheme from being a development to bringing it to life. It is a huge undertaking and requires a skilled team whose depth of expertise and ability to be fleet of foot and adaptable will pay dividends. Mobilisation is an area where you want the confidence of experience and a proven record of accomplishment.
It is for this reason our Mobilisation team will report into The Head of Asset Management to ensure we provide the experienced resource to deliver this prestigious site.
View Mobilisation Plan
An area of Allsop's expertise is ensuring the amenity offer on our sites is appropriate for the rental levels demanded. We always ensure flexibility in design and future proofing are considered.
Click the link to see an example of a recently designed amenity space for a “BtR light scheme” created with Alsop consultation.
Design and Mobilisation Support
Through research, we make informed decisions on product suitability, resident service provision, letting and marketing strategy, additional revenue generators, onsite amenities, and sculpt the customer experience masterplan and customer service strategy. This strategy then feeds the operational strategy, resourcing, management structure, staffing proposal, operational manuals, policies, and procedures, which in turn ensures consistency of service delivery and robust asset performance.
Our team has extensive experience delivering design and mobilisation consultancy across a wide range of build to rent schemes, including several award winning schemes such as EDA, Salford Quays (Homeviews top rated BTR in the UK 2025, Northwest homebuilder awards larger apartment scheme of the year 2024, Insider BTR development of the year 2024). We are often brought in during the early planning stages to provide advice that combines operational knowledge with a clear understanding of what residents expect. This means we can help shape a building that looks impressive but also functions well, stands up to daily use, and is easy to manage over time. We regularly collaborate with architects and developers to review layouts and make suggestions that improve both practicality and resident experience.
One of the areas we focus on is advising on materials, especially in communal and high-traffic spaces. We consider how surfaces will hold up under regular use, how easy they are to maintain, and whether they make sense for the kind of demographics the scheme is targeting. We are also able to support the appointment and onboarding of interior designers through a network of industry contacts. When needed, we offer feedback on their proposed schemes to make sure that what looks good on paper will still work well when the building is fully occupied and being used day to day.
We pay close attention to back of house spaces and operational areas, which can sometimes be under-considered during the design process. This includes laundry rooms, staff areas, waste storage, and servicing access. We look at how easy these spaces are to access, how well they support day to day operations, and how they will function as the scheme settles into long term management. These are the areas that help the operations of a building run smoothly, and getting them right early can make a significant difference to both staff and residents.
Access and security are key parts of our design reviews. We advise on how access control system strategies, CCTV locations and specification to ensure good coverage and compliant operations, and how to make sure the building is secure without making it difficult for residents to move around. We look at things like parcel delivery, amenity access, and visitor management to make sure the building feels both safe and welcoming. We also help shape wayfinding strategies, ensuring that signage is clear, consistent, and placed in ways that help people navigate the building easily.
Overall, our goal is to make sure that every part of the building is ready for real life. From communal lounges to plant rooms, we take a hands-on, practical approach that helps create places people enjoy living in and staff can operate with confidence from day one.
The Cornerstone scheme looks to be a thoughtfully designed development that brings together quality finishes, smart spatial planning and a strong focus on community living. The design takes a balanced approach, delivering spaces that are attractive and comfortable while being practical for long-term use. For the UK co-living market, where shared spaces are central to the resident experience, this level of attention to design is essential.
In the communal areas, the materials and finishes have clearly been chosen to withstand high levels of daily use. Soft wood tones, durable fabrics and metal detailing give the spaces warmth without sacrificing functionality. These choices are particularly well suited to co-living environments, where shared lounges, kitchens and workspaces see much more frequent use than traditional residential settings. From what we can see in the document provided, the lighting strategy also appears to support this flexibility, creating spaces that can easily shift between work, relaxation and social activity.
The apartment units are well-appointed in relation to their size, with finishes that support easy upkeep and a good life-span. Features such as timber-effect flooring and compact, integrated kitchens are ideal for co-living tenants, who often value simplicity and efficiency over excess space. The materials feel modern and neutral, appealing to a broad audience while being tough enough to stay looking fresh over time. Bathrooms follow the same logic, using solid quartz topped vanity units and other hard-wearing fittings.
The layout of the scheme naturally supports wayfinding, which is helpful where residents and guests are frequently moving through shared spaces. Subtle design cues, such as floor finishes and lighting changes, can help guide people without relying too much on signage. When needed, a simple and modern signage/wayfinding package can be introduced that supports brand consistency and ease of updates – we would recommend considering digital message boards throughout some of the higher trafficked areas such as lift lobbies to incorporate messaging delivered in a way that’s consistent with the interior design and the brand created for The Cornerstone.
Security and access control will be an important consideration during mobilisation. In co-living schemes, it’s essential to create a safe environment that still feels open and social. Controlled access to private and shared zones, along with a clear visitor management approach, helps maintain trust among residents without compromising the sense of community. The building layout lends itself well to this, with amenity spaces logically positioned and easy to monitor.
Overall, the scheme demonstrates a strong understanding of the needs of the co-living market. The fittings and finishes are practical yet welcoming, and the building’s layout supports a lifestyle centred on shared experiences and social connection. With a few refinements during mobilisation, particularly around access strategy and operational flow, Cornerstone is well positioned to deliver a great environment that responds to both resident expectations and operational needs in the UK co-living context.