Landmark Properties, the nation’s top developer of student housing, has delivered eight new student housing communities this fall on time and on budget, overcoming supply chain and other challenges from COVID-19. 

The communities – located in Athens, Ga.; Austin, Texas; Berkeley, Calif.; Buffalo, NY; Coral Gables, Fla.; Kennesaw, Ga.; Orlando, Fla.; and State College, Pa. – are 95.6 percent leased overall. The eight communities comprise 5,390 beds at a total development value of $1.2 billion. 

“Our research indicates this may be the largest student housing portfolio delivered in terms of beds and valuation at one time in the U.S., and perhaps globally,” said Landmark President and CEO Wes Rogers. “Our vertically integrated development, construction and leasing team has done a remarkable job of delivering high-quality, well-located products for students across America. These projects were delivered on time and on budget despite challenges presented by the global pandemic, and that is a credit to our team.”  

Rogers added that Landmark’s full portfolio is in a strong position. “Overall, and especially in top markets, the student housing market is proving resilient to COVID-19 as an asset class.” 

The company, which executed a large recapitalization of several assets with Blackstone in mid-August, also recently acquired a three-property portfolio in Athens totaling 867 beds in partnership with Silverpeak. The properties – Archer on North, The Redland, and Woodsong Village – were built in 1984, 1988 and 2001, respectively. All are well located within close-proximity to campus and are all 100 percent occupied for the 2021-2022 academic-year. 

“We will continue to seek well-located assets that we can acquire below replacement cost in target markets,” said Rogers. “Each of these properties has been well maintained, and we look forward to deploying our management expertise to generate significant efficiency and return in the years ahead.” 

The purchase highlights the significant strength of the student rental market in Athens. According to Axiometrics, all off-campus student housing properties in Athens have a weighted occupancy of 98.3 percent, with a projected average occupancy through 2024 of 98.7 percent.