This article first appeared in City & Country, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on May 18, 2026 - May 24, 2026

UK-based Berkeley Group Holdings plc will launch in Malaysia its latest mixed-use development, known as Arch & Bloom, on May 23 in collaboration with JLL Malaysia. 

Located in Guildford, Surrey, which is an hour’s drive from London, the 6.6-acre project will comprise seven blocks with residential and commercial components. According to Berkeley Group division head of international sales Natalie Day, there will be 485 residential units and 21,000 sq ft of commercial space.

Beyond the residential and retail components, Arch & Bloom will also have leisure facilities and a National Health Service medical centre. The entire development is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2031.

On the development’s concept, Day says, “The design ensures that the architecture blends in with its local environment, making it part of the Guildford community.”

For context, most developments in Guildford town sport Tudor and Georgian architecture styles, often featuring red brick walls and steep gable roofs.

“We are incorporating walkways throughout the development, allowing not only residents but also the public to move through the space and enjoy what we are creating,” she adds.

Arch & Bloom will be developed in phases, with the first phase offering two residential blocks, The Cloverden B1 and B2, to be unveiled this month. 

Both blocks will offer a total of 74 units that come in several layouts from studio apartments to three-bedroom units in built-ups from 488 to 1,067 sq ft. The units are priced from £386,500 to £756,500 (RM2 million to RM4 million).

Day says these blocks come with lifestyle-focused facilities such as co-working spaces, a private gym, cinema lounge and 24-hour concierge services. The estimated service charges are £4.50 psf for B1 and £4.65 psf for B2.

According to Day, a development like Arch & Bloom is “just what Guildford needs”. “Guildford is located in Surrey, one of the UK’s most affluent counties. It is a traditional British town with a cobbled high street, featuring a mix of independent boutiques, well-known brands and luxury retailers,” she says.

“While it has a classic English charm, it also has an international feel, largely influenced by the University of Surrey, where one in four students is from abroad. This brings a diverse range of cuisines and cultures to the area.”

She adds that the town has had a low residential supply, with only 176 homes delivered in the last five years.

On the town’s population, Day says it is a diverse mix, with about 22% of renters being students, while around 34% are working professionals and the rest being locals.

“This is supported by the Surrey Research Park, which hosts around 150 companies in sectors such as aerospace, digital health and biotech. There’s also Guildford Hospital, contributing to a strong local economy,” she adds.

Day points out that Guildford is also known as the “Hollywood of games”, contributing about 10% to the UK’s online gaming industry.

In terms of buyers, she highlights that demand comes from both local and international markets.

“Guildford is traditionally known for houses, many priced at £1 million and above. Arch & Bloom offers a more accessible entry point into this affluent market. For local homeowners, it presents an opportunity to release equity or downsize while remaining in the area. International demand, on the other hand, is driven by education and employment opportunities, particularly linked to the university and research park,” she explains.

Apart from the UK market, the developer is focusing on Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai. Day says they are also seeing interest from Chinese buyers. “Much of this demand is driven by education, from primary school through to university,” she adds.

Even though the project is not located in London, there are many international students renting in the area, given the relatively affordable prices compared with the city, Day observes. She says many Guildford residents travel to London via the South Western Railway in around 30 minutes.

JLL Malaysia international residential lead Chong Shu Ling observes a trend among Malaysian buyers, who have shown interest beyond central London.

“Buyers today are more cautious but still very interested. They are more informed and focused on fundamentals such as strategic locations, reputable developers and developments with solid rental yields or long-term capital growth.

“We are also seeing Malaysians looking beyond central London to cities like Guildford, which offer more attractive entry prices and stronger yields. So what we are seeing is that the market is becoming more strategic rather than fast-paced.”

Still, despite the non-central location, the rental yield trend for residential developments in Guildford has been stable and rising, says Day.

“According to research and independent reports, there is a clear lack of apartment supply in Guildford, as it is predominantly a housing-led market. Demand is particularly strong for one-bedroom units, especially among students and young professionals,” she adds.

She says rental yields at Arch & Bloom are estimated at up to 7.2% for studio apartments and one-bedroom units and around 6.2% for two-bedroom units.

“Additionally, 74% of the surrounding land [in Guildford] is a designated green belt, meaning it cannot be developed. This significantly limits future supply, supporting long-term demand and value,” she notes.

Day says Guildford is one of Surrey’s well-

connected commuter towns, offering accessibility by bus, train and car. Friary Bus Station is just a two-minute walk from the development, while Guildford Train Station is only a seven-minute walk away. 

By bus, residents can easily reach key destinations such as the University of Surrey in 10 minutes, Guildford School of Acting in 14 minutes, Manor Park and Surrey Sports Park in 17 minutes, and the Royal Surrey Hospital in 18 minutes. Guildford Veterinary School is also accessible within 26 minutes.

Rail connectivity is available, with direct train services linking Guildford to Woking in just seven minutes, while Farnham can be reached in 23 minutes. Clapham Junction takes about 31 minutes and London Waterloo is accessible in around 33 minutes. Other destinations include Reading in 38 minutes, Wimbledon in 45 minutes and Portsmouth in 57 minutes.

For those travelling by car, Cobham is an 18-minute drive away, while RHS Garden Wisley can be reached in 20 minutes. Denbies Wine Estate is about 33 minutes away and Box Hill is about 35 minutes. Both Heathrow Airport and Gatwick Airport are also within convenient reach, at around 35 and 41 minutes respectively. 

Besides that, Day also highlights that Guildford is known as one of the UK’s significant education hubs. 

For early education, nurseries such as Bright Horizons Guildford Day Nursery and Preschool and Kids Inc Day Nursery are located within a short distance, reachable in about 16 to 17 minutes by bike or under 10 minutes by car.

At the primary level, schools including Pewley Down Primary School and Burpham Foundation Primary School are also easily accessible, with travel times ranging from around seven to 15 minutes by bike. For secondary education, there are options such as the Royal Grammar School, Guildford High School for Girls and Charterhouse School. 

Guildford is also home to higher education institutions namely The University of Surrey, ranked third in the South East, is located just eight minutes away by bike, while the Guildford School of Acting is also nearby.

With the current UK construction sector facing delays and rising costs due to excessive red tape by the Building Safety Regulator, the developer is prepared for unforeseen circumstances that could impact the development process.

“That’s why we allow a six-month window initially when we quote for completion. I think we are a strong, cash-rich business, and we are able to navigate the landscape very well when it comes to the various challenges that we have faced over the years,” says Day.

“So we feel really confident that we can navigate through those challenges and have contingency operations in place. The market at the moment is generally quite tough all round, but what Berkeley Group is really strong at is being able to promote and hold its own when it comes to what we deliver, the placemaking and the wider community benefits as well.”

The developer’s long-term goal in Guildford is not only to build homes, but also to create a place where the community is self-sustaining.

“Berkeley is known for transforming areas through placemaking. In addition to the residential and retail components, we are also investing in upgrading the nearby bus station, pedestrianising surrounding roads and improving sustainability and accessibility. These enhancements aim to reduce congestion and create a more enjoyable environment for both residents and the wider community,” she says.

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