The Best Ever CRE Show JF 3894: Building for Gen Z, Investing in Universities, and Housing Resilience ft. Gary Holloway Jr.
May 3, 2025
Gary Holloway Jr., CEO of GMH Communities, dives into the evolution of student housing, highlighting the shift from local syndications to large-scale developments. He discusses the significance of location and market dynamics in identifying investment opportunities, particularly in urban areas. Gary showcases GMH’s “Innovative Living” model, merging student and conventional housing while catering to emerging life science hubs. He emphasizes resilience in the student housing sector and the critical need for partnerships with experienced operators for future success.
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Strategic Sale Before Financial Crash
- GMH Communities sold 70,000 student housing beds to American Campus Communities just before the 2007 financial crash.
- This sale led to a five-year non-compete and allowed the business to refocus and evolve in a more competitive market.
Rising Student Housing Costs
- Student housing costs have soared from $30-40K per bed to over $100K due to high-rise, urban projects.
- Construction now competes with major metro conventional housing, showing rapid industry evolution.
Targeting Affluent Student Demographics
- High-end student housing targets the top 10% demographic with rents up to $1,700 per bed.
- Affordability is managed by unit mix and by-bed pricing, balancing luxury and cost.