Harrison Street sells UK PBSA portfolio to AustralianSuper

Global alternative investor Harrison Street Asset Management (HSAM) has sold a UK student housing portfolio to AustralianSuper. 

Howard Gardens

The portfolio consists of 1,616 beds across six recently built properties (2020-2023) in major university cities, including London, Birmingham, Belfast, Leicester, Edinburgh, and Cardiff.
These assets, known as The Aspen, Aster House, Huxley Studios, Wick Park, Howard Gardens, and Compass, are strategically located near top universities. They offer modern amenities such as gyms, courtyard terraces, coffee bars, study lounges, and social spaces, catering to the needs of contemporary students.
Paul Bashir, CEO-Europe at Harrison Street Asset Management, said: “We believe this sale demonstrates the continued global interest in high-quality, purpose-built student housing and underscores our ability to deliver institutional portfolios at scale. We feel this transaction reflects the strong fundamentals of the UK student housing market,” noted Bashir.”
Vicky Stanley, senior investment director for Real Assets, AustralianSuper, added: “AustralianSuper is pleased to have acquired this portfolio of assets. This acquisition executes on the strategy of our new UK Living platform to scale with quality homes for rent, anchored to high-demand university locations, with the opportunity to grow income and deliver for members over the long term.” 
Harrison Street Asset Management has been actively investing in the European student housing market since 2015, deploying €2.8 bn across 63 properties, which comprise over 21,600 beds in the UK, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Germany, and France.