Residential

Durable demand supports sector growth, but widening dispersion is placing a premium on market selection, disciplined underwriting and experienced operators, says Mike Gordon, global CIO – real estate at Harrison Street Asset Management.

As development viability evolves across Europe, investors are looking for the next opportunities, with Spain and Italy emerging as attractive markets for student accommodation, says Cain’s Oliver Cummings.

Rising construction costs are forcing developers to balance project viability with what students can realistically afford.

While university consolidation, reduced competition and predictable demand are key characteristics of both markets, significant differences require a nuanced approach and local expertise, says Landmark Properties’ Walt Templin.

PBSA continues to see resilient demand throughout the region, say Juan Manuel Acosta and Matteo Minardi.

Sustained demand and strong returns have cemented PBSA as one of the most attractive real estate asset classes.

Student housing is more than accommodation, it is critical infrastructure supporting students and enabling university growth, explains The Dot Group’s Nick Porter.

As PBSA has evolved into a mainstream institutional asset class, the drivers of outperformance have become more nuanced.

The New York- and London-based manager is targeting long-income, infill industrial and grid-connected real estate with Meadow Real Estate Fund VII.

With commitments from NPS and its own life insurance business, the $700m fund is the UK asset manager’s first value-add commingled offering in the region.