Greystar debuts in Nordic PBSA market

International rental housing company Greystar has expanded into the Nordic market by purchasing 1,758 student housing units in Copenhagen from Nrep, the real estate arm of Urban Partners.

Copenhagen student housing

This portfolio of four modern, sustainable buildings, located in key student areas Amager, Nordhavn, Valby, and Frederiksberg, was developed and managed by Nrep to address a shortage of student accommodations. 
This sale represents Greystar's first venture in the Nordics and its eighth European market, providing them with a substantial foothold in Copenhagen. 
The divestment was part of Nrep's NSF-II fund. 
Mark Kuijpers, senior managing director – Central Europe, Greystar, said: “We believe Copenhagen offers all the fundamentals we look for including strong academic institutions, a diverse and growing student population, and an established, albeit undersupplied, market for modern student housing. Denmark is a natural next step for our further expansion into Europe, where we will continue to deliver local execution backed by what we believe is our global expertise, data-driven insights, and deep operational capabilities.” 
Thomas Riise-Jakobsen, partner and head of Nrep Denmark, commented: “We identified a growing demand for suitable accommodation amongst students moving to Copenhagen. In response, we developed and operated the UMEUS concept: a unique blend of community living, sustainability, and prime urban locations tailored to students’ everyday needs. Having gone end to end with our first student housing portfolio, this is a clear example of how we successfully align social responsibility with commercial value through an attractive product.” 
Nrep’s UMEUS brand features small private studios alongside generous shared spaces like lounges, gyms, kitchens, and rooftop terraces, designed to create a strong sense of community and well-being.
Current student residents will see continued operation of the housing, now under Greystar's Canvas brand. Existing agreements with local universities will remain in place. The eco-friendly buildings meet high energy efficiency standards and incorporate sustainable elements like solar panels.