The U.S. student housing market is seeing another major investment move as The Scion Group and Ares Management have joined forces to acquire a large student housing portfolio valued at about $910 million. The deal ranks among the biggest student housing transactions completed in the United States this year and reflects continued investor confidence in university-focused real estate.
The joint venture acquired the portfolio from Harrison Street Asset Management. The transaction includes 12 student housing properties with a total of 7,578 beds located across 10 states and serving students from 12 universities.
Portfolio Includes Major University Markets
The acquired communities are located near several well-known universities, including the University of Florida, Auburn University, the University of Notre Dame, The Ohio State University, James Madison University, and Arizona State University.
According to the companies, The Scion Group will manage and operate the properties as part of the partnership. The acquisition also marks the first investment collaboration between Scion and Ares in the student housing sector.
Robert Bronstein, Chief Executive Officer of Scion, said the transaction represents a significant milestone for the company. He added that the acquisition expands Scion’s owned portfolio to more than 105,000 beds nationwide.
Growing Interest in Student Housing
Student housing has become an increasingly attractive asset class for institutional investors in recent years. Industry experts point to strong university enrollment trends and limited off-campus housing supply in many college markets as key drivers behind investor demand.
Andrew Holm, Head of U.S. Diversified Equity for Ares Real Estate, said the partnership combines Ares’ real estate investment platform with Scion’s experience in operating student housing communities. The companies stated that they plan to focus on long-term growth and operational performance across the portfolio.
Harrison Street described the sale as the largest U.S. student housing portfolio transaction completed so far in 2026. The deal highlights how large investment firms continue to increase their presence in specialized real estate sectors tied to steady demand.
Financing and Expansion Strategy
Walker & Dunlop advised on financing for the transaction, while BMO arranged the financing package tied to the acquisition.
The latest deal also continues Scion’s expansion strategy in the student housing market. According to company information, Scion has deployed approximately $10.2 billion in capital since 2016, including around $3.4 billion during the past two years.
The acquisition signals strong long-term confidence in the student housing sector as universities across the United States continue to attract students seeking quality off-campus living options.
