Fayetteville, Ark. – (June 28, 2017) – Strategic Student & Senior Housing Trust, Inc., a private real estate investment trust sponsored by SmartStop Asset Management, LLC, announced today its acquisition of The District, a 198-unit, 592-bed student housing property adjacent to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. The purchase price for the building was $57 million.
Formerly known as Sterling District, the 2.3-acre student housing property is located at 376 W. Watson St. and includes one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom, fully furnished floor plans. The District is currently 95 percent pre-leased for the 2017-2018 academic year.
“The District represents a best-in-class, off-campus, purpose-built and pedestrian-to-campus student housing community at the University of Arkansas,” said H. Michael Schwartz, chief executive officer of Strategic Student & Senior Housing Trust. “Completed in 2016, The District is an amenities-rich and modern urban wrap-design property that is consistent with our acquisition strategy of acquiring stabilized and purpose-built student housing assets adjacent to Tier 1 universities. The property includes many safety features, such as gated access, pass-key systems, on-site management with regular security patrols and an on-site, six-story controlled access parking garage. In addition, we have retained Asset Campus Housing, one of the nation’s premier third-party student housing managers, to provide on-site management.”
Asset Campus Housing, which is a member of The Institute of Real Estate Management and is recognized as an Accredited Management Organization, currently manages in excess of 210 properties and 118,500 beds.
“Situated three blocks from campus and the famed Dickson Street, part of the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, The District provides residents with great access to the campus, community and their peers,” said John Strockis, senior vice president of acquisitions of the REIT. “The property also includes a 500 megabytes-per-second internet service that further promotes connectivity for students and parents.”
Each apartment unit is fully furnished with state-of-the-art amenities and energy efficient appliance packages. Community amenities include a computer lab and business center; study rooms; an expansive pool, spa and courtyard; and a fitness facility with a separate yoga room. The District is certified by the U.S. Green Building Council as LEED-Gold, the second-highest certification level that recognizes properties that use less water and energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to its energy efficient appliances and other amenities, the property also provides preferred parking for fuel efficient vehicles, a bike-sharing program, increased natural light and close proximity to mass transit for ride-sharing.
About Strategic Student & Senior Housing Trust, Inc.
