Berkeley at 50: Celebrating Half a Century of Sustainable Placemaking Across the UK

In 2026, Berkeley celebrates its 50th anniversary. Since 1976, we’ve grown from a homebuilder into the UK’s leading brownfield regenerator, creating distinctive homes and remarkable places where communities can thrive.

As we look back with pride and forward with purpose, we remain focused on quality, innovation, sustainability, and the joy of home.

How has Berkeley evolved over the last 50 years?

From delivering our first executive homes in the Home Counties, we have grown into a FTSE 100 company known for large-scale regeneration, exceptional placemaking, customer service excellence, sustainability leadership and industry innovation.

We are also one of the UK’s most awarded homebuilders, consistently recognised for build quality, regeneration, sustainability and customer satisfaction.

This includes:

Berkeley Group development exterior in the sun

Our Story: From 1976 to Today

Berkeley began in Weybridge, Surrey in 1976, founded by Tony Pidgley CBE and Jim Farrer. From four executive homes delivered in our first year to complex, large-scale regeneration today, our philosophy has endured: every home should delight its owner in every detail.

"We wanted to make buying a home a joyful, exciting and happy experience and to hand over a beautifully finished product that delights in every small detail."
Tony Pidgley CBE

Wherever we build, town, city, or countryside, our focus is the same: creating beautiful homes, shaping sustainable places, and putting customers first.

As we move into our sixth decade as Berkeley, we remain focused on creating exceptional places, building wonderful homes, leading the industry in innovation and sustainability, and keeping our customers at the heart of everything we do.

What Does Berkeley’s 50th Anniversary Represent for Customers?

Berkeley’s 50th anniversary is a milestone that reflects five decades of learning, innovation and commitment to quality.

For customers, it means confidence in a homebuilder with a long-standing track record of design excellence, sustainable placemaking and customer-first service.

Above all, it reinforces our promise to deliver beautifully crafted homes and vibrant, well-designed places that will stand the test of time.

Milestones Along the Way

1976 — Berkeley founded by Jim Farrer and Tony Pidgley CBE in Weybridge, Surrey
1986 — Gains a full listing on the London Stock Exchange
1990s — Strategic pivot to urban brownfield land
1991 — Acquires Crosby Homes and 50% of St George, accelerating London growth
1996 — Establishes St James (JV with Thames Water) to drive regeneration
2006 — Launches St Edward (JV with M&G Investments) for residential-led places
2008 — Wins Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Sustainable Development
2011 — Creates The Berkeley Foundation to support young people facing barriers
2012 — Expands internationally with offices including Hong Kong and Singapore
2014 — Forms St William (JV with National Grid) to transform former industrial sites
2014 — Second Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Sustainable Development
2017 — Launches St Joseph to deliver in the Midlands
2021 — Introduces Our Vision 2030, our long-term sustainable business strategy
2026 — Celebrates 50 years as one brand: Berkeley

The Road Ahead

Over five decades, we’ve continually raised standards in design, sustainability and customer experience. We pioneered large-scale regeneration, unlocking the potential of complex brownfield sites and delivering the social infrastructure, green space and community amenities that bring places to life.

As we enter our sixth decade, our commitment is clear:

Uncompromising quality in every home and detail
Innovative placemaking that nurtures health, nature and community
Sustainability leadership: homes and neighbourhoods built for the future
Customer-first service that makes buying and owning a home a joy

This is the Berkeley way: past, present and future.