Australia’s third largest superannuation fund Aware Super and global asset management firm Barings have announced that their Build to Rent pipeline will now be housed under a stand-alone brand – WeAreLiving.
With a current pipeline of over 2,000 Build to Rent dwellings either under management or in planning across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra, the two firms have aspirations to grow the WeAreLiving portfolio to $2bn in the next five.
The portfolio comprises one completed and operational asset located in Dickson, ACT, four assets under construction – two of which are set to reach completion by the first half of 2026 – and a further two in planning.
“Our aim with WeAreLiving is to deliver quality rental stock where it is needed most. Aware Super has a long history of delivering affordable yet premium product, so this philosophy has remained top of mind when positioning the WeAreLiving assets to the market.
“We want our buildings to be accessible to a diverse variety of market segments whether they be young professionals, nurses, trainees, healthcare workers, students or downsizers, and we have crafted our assets with accessibility and inclusivity in mind.
“We are excited about the next chapter in this long-standing partnership with Aware Super, and are keenly assessing opportunities for new sites, given our mandate to grow the pipeline and with significant capital to deploy.”
Alastair Wright, Head of Asia Pacific Real Estate, Barings
As of recently, an initial seven Build to Rent buildings will now also be represented by the new WeAreLiving brand. The hallmark of WeAreLiving’s assets will be functional and include amenities such as co-working spaces and bookable rooms, a 24-hour gym and yoga zone, a wellness hub with steam room, sauna and cold plunge, resident lounges, communal kitchens, rooftops, pet friendly facilities and more.
Barings has had a long-standing relationship with Aware Super since 2013, acting as an investment, development and asset manager for the super fund across the residential, mixed-use, industrial and retirement sectors and having managed 33 unique assets with a value of approximately $9bn.
The new brand marks a strengthened partnership between the two, with Barings continuing its active role as investment, development and asset manager across the Build to Rent portfolio, managing acquisitions and operations.
Aware Super stated that the $200bn Fund continued to be committed to not only sourcing the strongest long-term returns for its 1.15 million members, but also contributing to the national housing shortage.
“The launch of WeAreLiving is the latest chapter in our pioneering involvement in the Build to Rent sector. We were the first institutional investors into Australia’s Build to Rent sector in 2018, and alongside our partnership with Barings, we continue to see strong opportunities as the market matures and assets stabilise.
“Today’s announcement sends another signal to the communities where are members live, work and retire, that a new brand is dedicated to providing them a housing solution.”
Alek Misev, Head of Property, Aware Super
