GMH Communities and AEW Capital Acquire Two Student Housing Communities Totaling 926-Beds in Top-Tier University Markets

PHILADELPHIA, PA – GMH Communities, a vertically-integrated real estate company, and AEW Capital Management, a global real estate investment firm with over $82 billion in assets under management, announced their joint acquisition of two student housing communities: Dockside at Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina and Flatiron at Louisiana State University (LSU) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Both properties are located near their respective campuses, offering convenient access and are outfitted with Class-A amenities.
With the addition of the Clemson and LSU communities, the AEW-GMH partnership will now own and operate more than 2,000 beds across four universities in Power 4 markets.
“For 40+ years, GMH has been a leader and innovator in the student housing industry,” said Gary Holloway, Jr., chief executive officer and president, GMH Communities. “We stay ahead of trends in the industry and know what students seek in a community. The acquisition of Dockside and Flatiron underscores GMH’s commitment to investing in high-quality, well-located assets within fundamentally strong markets.”
“AEW is thrilled to expand its student housing portfolio in partnership GMH,” said Adam Schwank, portfolio manager and managing director at AEW Capital Management. “Dockside and Flatiron exemplify the attributes we seek in high-performing student housing assets: modern construction, generous common area spaces for students and prime locations adjacent to growing Power 4 universities.”
The 633-bed Dockside community will be rebranded as The Cove at Clemson, offering a premier lakefront setting with direct access to Lake Hartwell. In Baton Rouge, the 293-bed Flatiron community is recognized as one of the market’s few pedestrian-oriented housing options, offering convenience just steps from the LSU campus.
The off-campus, purpose-built student housing markets at Clemson and LSU continue to experience a demand driven by growing university enrollments and a desire for quality off-campus housing. Through this partnership, GMH and AEW aim to further enhance the living experience for students by making environments that foster both academic and social success.

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Ashcroft Capital Completes Acquisition of 360-Unit Birchstone Cedar Ridge Luxury Apartment Community in Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex

DALLAS, TX – Ashcroft Capital, a fully integrated multifamily investment firm, announced its acquisition of Birchstone Cedar Ridge, a luxury garden-style community in Dallas built in 2024. Ashcroft’s affiliate property management arm, Birchstone Residential, is now providing services for the residents of the community. The acquisition was completed through a joint venture that includes Pearlmark Real Estate and Temerity Strategic Partners. This acquisition marks the second in 2025 between Ashcroft and Pearlmark.
The Class-A property (formerly Jefferson Cedar Ridge) features 360 apartment homes and becomes Ashcroft’s 20th multifamily property in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
“We are excited to expand our Birchstone brand with the acquisition of Cedar Ridge apartments,” said Frank Roessler, founder and CEO of Ashcroft. “Through our ongoing partnership with Pearlmark and Temerity, we continue to buy high-quality, institutional-grade apartment communities, and this property fits well within our investment strategy. We are targeting luxury communities in our metros at a strong discount to replacement cost. Properties like Cedar Ridge will allow us to showcase our customer service, which supports strong rent growth and retention.”
Located at 6165 Ridge Center Drive, Birchstone Cedar Ridge features one-, two- and three-bedroom homes ranging from 660 to 1,541 square feet. Community amenities include a resort-style pool with cabanas, outdoor kitchen and grill areas, enclosed dog park, 24-hour fitness center with cardio and strength stations, business center, EV-charging station, 24-hour emergency maintenance service and community clubhouse. The community also offers furnished apartments, flexible payment options and pet, housekeeping and delivery services.
Homes feature undermount kitchen sinks with gooseneck faucets, granite counters, white and gray shaker cabinets, modern pendant lighting, ceiling fans, plush carpeting, hardwood-style flooring and smart thermostats.
“Birchstone Cedar Ridge is an outstanding addition to our portfolio,” said Scott Lebenhart, chief investment officer of Ashcroft. “It has a wide array of onsite features that should serve to attract and retain residents, and it’s located in an area with fantastic shopping, award-winning schools, museums and parks. With our strong presence in the Metroplex, Birchstone Cedar Ridge will also benefit from our economies of scale and operational efficiencies in the area.”
“We are proud to continue our relationship with our valued joint venture partners through the acquisition of Birchstone Cedar Ridge,” said Stephen Quazzo, CEO and co-founder of Pearlmark. “This is truly a best-in-class asset that offers a unique resident experience in this submarket. With the experience and expertise that Ashcroft and Birchstone Residential have in the Dallas-Fort Worth market and their dedication to premium resident service, we believe this property will perform extremely well.”
In addition to Texas, Ashcroft owns communities throughout Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. The company is actively pursuing additional markets in the Sun Belt.

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Thompson Thrift to Develop 214-Unit Wrenly Resort-Style Luxury Multifamily Community in High-Growth Atlanta Submarket of Newnan

ATLANTA, GA – Thompson Thrift, a full-service nationally recognized real estate company and one of the nation’s leading multifamily developers, announced that it will develop Wrenly, a 214-unit multifamily community in the Atlanta suburb of Newnan. The company expects to welcome its first residents in April 2027, and construction completion is projected for early 2028.
“Coweta County’s entitlement process is grounded in thoughtful plotting and community priorities, and we’re honored that our collaborative approach earned the trust and support needed to go this development forward,” said Josh Purvis, managing partner for Thompson Thrift Residential. “We are excited for Wrenly to deliver high-quality, luxury housing that supports the continued growth and momentum of the Newnan community.”
Located at the northeast corner of Newnan Crossing Boulevard and Newnan Crossing Court, the 28.6-acre community will include six residential buildings in one-, two-, and three-bedroom configurations. The apartment homes will average approximately 1,000 square feet and feature designer fixtures and finishes, including elegant granite countertops, stainless-steel appliances, smooth glass-top ranges, timeless tile backsplash, full-size washers and dryers, and hardwood-style flooring, as well as patio, balcony, and private yard options.
Resort-style living will continue throughout the community and feature a fully equipped fitness center with 24-hour access, firepit with seating areas, a swimming pool with an integrated waterfall, and a built-in seat wall adjacent to the firepit. Community grilling areas, pickleball court, dog park, pet spa with grooming station, and a resident business center with focus suite will also be available for residents to delight in.
Major employers near the site include Piedmont Newnan Hospital, Yamaha Motor Manufacturing, Amazon Distribution Center, Southeastern Regional Medical Center, just to name a few. Significant investments not far from the site include Piedmont Newnan Hospital’s $65 million south tower expansion, and the U.S. Soccer National Training Center, a $200 million, 200-acre development expected to open in 2026 that will make approximately 400 jobs and include more than 200,000 square feet of high-performance facilities, locker rooms, meeting rooms and headquarters space for employees.
In the past 10 years, Coweta County has seen limited multifamily deliveries, representing only 1.4% of the overall multifamily deliveries across the Atlanta MSA during the same period, while population growth exceeded 21% throughout the last 15 years and is expected to grow another 5.6% over the next five years. This strong population growth has led to a shortage of housing options for new residents, making Wrenly a fantastic addition to the Newnan market.

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