Green luxury student housing : a real estate feasibility study

Abstract

The primary purpose of this thesis is to estimate the demand for student housing that focuses on upperclass undergraduate and graduate students who typically shy away from dormitory housing. The initial chapters provide a brief introduction to conventional student housing, explain why the market is growing, review the growing sustainability trend and introduce the idea of green luxury student housing. Chicago serves as the test market where more than forty universities currently operate. Methods for financing, demand drivers, and overall feasibility are discussed for relevance to the market. Two examples of recently built student housing projects in Chicago and Boston are reviewed for current trends and components to their success. Research conducted includes interviews with student housing developers, a student housing consultant, academic staff and other project participants. Site visits, available online data and reviews of project documentation supplement this research. The thesis concludes with the expected demand believed to support the newly defined market niche and its potential feasibility.