Cognita will build a new international school under its brand name The British School of Barcelona on a 16,000 sqm site, with capacity for around 750 pupils. The educational group, which has more than 20 years of experience, is present in 17 countries with 106 schools and manages nine centres in Spain with more than 9,400 students in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Asturias and Murcia.
The future school will have BREEAM Very Good certification, one of the most recognised sustainability standards on the market.
Marquee Capital, an investment and development manager specialising in the education, living and healthcare segments, has participated in the operation and has invested more than €100 million in projects in Spain since 2022.
BNP Paribas Real Estate acted as financial and real estate advisor to Cognita, structuring the operation and leading the search for the real estate investor. The consultancy's Living & Alternatives team designed the sale process. Cognita also received legal advice from DLA Piper and tax advice from PwC.
Educational real estate is emerging as a segment within the property market, characterised by its resilience to economic cycles, stable cash flows and growing demand in Spain. The sector is also undergoing a process of consolidation marked by the presence of a few large operators with professional structures and solid balance sheets.