Newmark Arranges Sale of Five-Property, Nearly 1,250-Unit National Student Housing Portfolio

Rhea-AI Summary

Newmark Group (NMRK) has arranged the largest student housing portfolio sale in the U.S. for 2025 to date. The transaction involves five properties across Florida, Texas, Indiana, and North Carolina, totaling 1,248 units and 3,693 beds. The portfolio was sold by a joint venture between Nuveen and The Preiss Company.

The properties are strategically located near major universities with average enrollment exceeding 47,000 students, including the University of Florida, Texas State University, Indiana University, North Carolina State University, and The University of Texas at Austin. The average distance to campus is 0.87 miles, and all properties feature premium amenities.

In Q1 2025, Newmark executed over $1 billion in student housing transactions, following $1.5 billion in Q4 2024, demonstrating strong momentum in the student housing sector.

Positive

• Largest student housing portfolio sale in the U.S. for 2025
• Strategic locations near major universities with high enrollment (47,000+ students)
• Strong transaction momentum with $1B+ in Q1 2025 and $1.5B in Q4 2024
• Premium property positioning with average 0.87-mile distance to campuses

Negative

• None.

Insights

Real Estate Investment Analyst

Newmark's record student housing deal showcases sector strength and solidifies their market leadership in a growing, resilient asset class.

Newmark's arrangement of the largest student housing portfolio sale of 2025 (1,248 units/3,693 beds across four states) demonstrates their significant market position in this specialized sector. The portfolio's strategic attributes are particularly noteworthy - proximity to major universities (averaging just 0.87 miles from campus), locations near institutions with robust enrollment figures (47,000+ students), and premium amenity packages designed specifically for student residents.

This transaction continues Newmark's impressive momentum in the student housing sector, following $1+ billion in student housing transactions during Q1 2025 and $1.5+ billion in Q4 2024. These figures suggest sustained investor appetite for this asset class despite broader market uncertainties.

Student housing has historically demonstrated recession-resistant characteristics compared to other commercial real estate categories, offering relative stability during economic fluctuations. The portfolio's quality (premium amenities) and strategic positioning (proximity to major universities) align with institutional investment criteria seeking both growth and defensive characteristics.

For Newmark specifically, this transaction reinforces their specialized expertise in a high-value niche. While the financial terms and Newmark's fee structure aren't disclosed, their ability to facilitate transactions of this magnitude typically translates to meaningful brokerage revenue. More importantly, it showcases their capability to execute complex, multi-state portfolio transactions involving institutional clients like Nuveen.

Financial Services Analyst

Record transaction reinforces Newmark's specialized market position and revenue generation capabilities in the resilient student housing sector.

This landmark transaction strengthens Newmark's position as a dominant player in the student housing segment of commercial real estate services. As a brokerage firm, Newmark generates revenue through transaction fees, and while the specific fee structure isn't disclosed, high-value portfolio sales like this typically produce substantial commissions. The involvement of senior leadership (Executive Vice Chairman, Managing Director) underscores the transaction's significance to their business.

The consecutive quarterly transaction volumes ($1+ billion in Q1 2025 after $1.5+ billion in Q4 2024) demonstrate consistent deal flow in Newmark's student housing practice. This suggests the company has built a sustainable competitive advantage in this specialized category, likely creating a reliable revenue stream that complements their broader commercial real estate service offerings.

From an operational perspective, Newmark's cross-functional execution is noteworthy - the transaction involved their Multifamily Capital Markets team alongside their Global Debt & Structured Finance division, showcasing their ability to leverage different business units for complex transactions. The high-profile institutional clients (Nuveen joint venture) further validates Newmark's standing among sophisticated market participants.

For investors, Newmark's specialization in student housing provides exposure to a relatively stable real estate category with counter-cyclical characteristics, potentially offering some insulation against volatility in other commercial property segments. While student housing represents just one component of Newmark's diverse service offerings, their demonstrated leadership in this growing niche enhances their overall competitive positioning in the commercial real estate services landscape.

Transaction Marks Largest Student Housing Portfolio Sale in U.S. Year-To-Date¹

AUSTIN, Texas, April 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Newmark Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NMRK) ("Newmark" or "the Company"), a leading commercial real estate advisor and service provider to large institutional investors, global corporations, and other owners and occupiers, announces the company has arranged the sale of a five-property student housing portfolio comprising 1,248 units and 3,693 beds across four states – Florida, Texas, Indiana and North Carolina. The transaction marks the largest student housing portfolio sale in the U.S. so far this year.

Newmark Multifamily Capital Markets Executive Vice Chairman and Head of Student Housing Ryan Lang, Managing Director Jack Brett and Director Ben Harkrider, in cooperation with locally licensed Newmark advisors, represented the seller, a joint venture between Nuveen and The Preiss Company. Newmark Co-Head of Global Debt & Structured Finance Jordan Roeschlaub, Vice Chairman Chris Kramer, Executive Managing Director Ben Roelke and Senior Managing Director Peter Griesinger also supported the transaction.

The portfolio includes properties located near top-ranked universities with an average enrollment of over 47,000 students, including the University of Florida, Texas State University, Indiana University, North Carolina State University and The University of Texas at Austin. Situated just 0.87 miles on average from their respective campuses, each asset features best-in-class amenities designed to enhance the student lifestyle, such as swimming pools, grilling stations, fitness centers, outdoor recreation and study rooms.

"This record portfolio transaction reinforces the burgeoning demand for premium student housing assets adjacent to prestigious universities," said Lang. "As enrollment numbers continue to rise and campuses expand, investors are seeking more opportunities in well-located, high-quality student housing, a resilient and attractive asset class."

In the first quarter of 2025, Newmark executed student housing sales and financing transactions totaling over $1 billion, continuing the momentum from a remarkable Q4 2024 with over $1.5 billion in transactions. This performance highlights the ongoing strength of the student housing sector as investors continue to target fast-growing university submarkets across the U.S.  

About Newmark
Newmark Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NMRK), together with its subsidiaries ("Newmark"), is a world leader in commercial real estate, seamlessly powering every phase of the property life cycle. Newmark's comprehensive suite of services and products is uniquely tailored to each client, from owners to occupiers, investors to founders, and startups to blue-chip companies. Combining the platform's global reach with market intelligence in both established and emerging property markets, Newmark provides superior service to clients across the industry spectrum. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, Newmark generated revenues of over $2.7 billion. As of December 31, 2024, Newmark and our business partners together operated from approximately 170 offices with more than 8,000 professionals across four continents. To learn more, visit nmrk.com or follow @newmark.

Discussion of Forward-Looking Statements about Newmark
Statements in this document regarding Newmark that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These include statements about the Company's business, results, financial position, liquidity, and outlook, which may constitute forward-looking statements and are subject to the risk that the actual impact may differ, possibly materially, from what is currently expected. Except as required by law, Newmark undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. For a discussion of additional risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see Newmark's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including, but not limited to, the risk factors and Special Note on Forward-Looking Information set forth in these filings and any updates to such risk factors and Special Note on Forward-Looking Information contained in subsequent reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q or Form 8-K.

¹ Largest by Purchase Price, according to analysis of MSCI Real Capital Analytics data

 

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SOURCE Newmark Group, Inc.

FAQ

What is the size and scope of Newmark's latest student housing portfolio sale in 2025?

The portfolio includes 5 properties with 1,248 units and 3,693 beds across Florida, Texas, Indiana, and North Carolina, marking the largest student housing portfolio sale in the U.S. for 2025.

Which universities are near the student housing properties in NMRK's portfolio sale?

The properties are located near University of Florida, Texas State University, Indiana University, North Carolina State University, and The University of Texas at Austin, with average enrollment of 47,000 students.

How much student housing transaction volume did NMRK handle in Q1 2025?

Newmark executed over $1 billion in student housing sales and financing transactions in Q1 2025, following $1.5 billion in Q4 2024.

What is the average distance of the student housing properties from their respective campuses?

The properties are located an average of 0.87 miles from their respective university campuses.