Student Housing Daily - July 28, 2026 - Core Spaces acquires $300M portfolio

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NEWS ROUNDUP

ACQUISITION: Core Spaces acquires $300 million+ student housing portfolio. Core Spaces, through Core University Living Real Estate Income Trust (CUL REIT), has closed on a four-property student housing portfolio valued at more than $300 million, comprising more than 2,000 beds near leading public universities. The portfolio has an average age of approximately eight years, is currently 99% occupied, and is fully pre-leased for the 2026-2027 academic year. John Wieker, Chief Investment Officer at Core Spaces, said the transaction reflects the firm's long-term conviction in student housing fundamentals, while Colin Armstrong, Portfolio Manager at Core Spaces, highlighted the role of Core's research-driven market selection and vertically integrated platform in supporting property performance and the resident experience.

DEVELOPMENT: Balfour Beatty and University of Florida begin 2,217-bed redevelopment. Balfour Beatty Campus Solutions and Balfour Beatty U.S. Buildings have partnered with the University of Florida on a multi-phase redevelopment that will deliver 2,217 student housing beds across four residential buildings in Gainesville, Florida. Construction is underway, with two buildings scheduled to open in fall 2028 and the remaining two in late fall 2028. Mori Hosseini, Chair of the UF Board of Trustees, said the development represents the first phase of a 10-year, more than $2 billion initiative to add 10,000 beds across campus. Balfour Beatty Campus Solutions is serving as developer, while Balfour Beatty U.S. Buildings is handling design-build and delivery through a 65:35 joint venture with Stellar Group. Clark Nexsen and Walker Architects are serving as architecture partners, while Rieth Jones Advisors advised the university.

DEVELOPMENT: Trilogy Investment expands into student housing. Trilogy Investment, in a joint venture with RLB Squared, has closed on Solomon Farms, a 219-acre master-planned community in Statesboro, Georgia. The project is planned for more than 1,200 residential units and four commercial parcels, including 298 single-family lots, 101 build-to-rent townhome lots, 300 multifamily units, and a two-phase student housing component with 672 apartment beds followed by approximately 700 cottage beds. Jason Joseph, CEO and Managing Partner of Trilogy, said the project marks the company's expansion into student housing and multifamily, while Geoff Block, Principal of RLB Squared, highlighted Trilogy's development expertise in executing the large-scale project.

DEVELOPMENT: Leon Capital invests $19 million in New Hampshire and New York student housing projects. Leon Capital Group has closed approximately $19 million in structured equity investments for two residential developments, including The Marshall Binghamton, a 516-bed student housing community developed by Aptitude Development. The financing also supports The Flats on High Street, a 156-unit Class A multifamily development in Nashua, New Hampshire, being developed by Lansing Melbourne Group. Blake Schroeder, President of Leon Multifamily, said the investments demonstrate the continued expansion of Leon's real estate credit platform, while Fernando Mendez, Managing Director at Leon Financial, highlighted the strong demand and constrained supply supporting the student housing sector. The transactions represent Leon's third real estate credit investment in the past 90 days.

MUST READ: Fall 2026 pre-leasing nears 85% as student housing demand holds strong.

STUDENT HOUSING FOR SALE

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360 Units | 1,115 Beds | 86.9% Prelease Occupancy | Avg. Market Rent: $634/Bed

61 Rooms | Capacity of up to 106 Beds | Operating at 50% Capacity | 50% Curenct Occupancy | Online Auction Sale | Auction Starts: July 20

ONE MORE THING

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