Up Campus Properties

What Up Campus Properties does

Up Campus Properties, operating as Up Campus Living, is a Chicago-based private real estate company specializing in the development, ownership, and management of off-campus student housing at major U.S. universities. The firm operates as Up Campus Management, LLC with a vertically integrated platform spanning site selection, design, construction, investment management, and ongoing property operations. Its portfolio consists of 23+ completed and planned student housing communities totaling 18,000+ beds across 16+ universities — including Florida State University, University of Virginia, George Washington University, University of Minnesota, Texas A&M, Ohio State, Purdue, University of Arizona, and University of Nevada, Reno — with new deliveries scheduled annually through 2028. Each property is branded and operated under distinct sub-brands (Nova, Blume, Hub, The George, Fieldhouse, etc.) and is sited within walking distance (0-5 blocks) of host campuses, the company's signature locational thesis.

The company generates revenue primarily through rental income on owned assets, supplemented by property management services and joint venture co-investment economics. Capital deployment is structured via joint ventures, notably with BLG Capital Advisors, and funded through institutional debt partners such as Canyon Partners Real Estate, which provided senior bridge financing for Nova Tallahassee in January 2026. The company has pursued LEED certification (Gold, Silver, Basic levels) on prior developments as part of an ESG-aligned building philosophy. Its 'Pride of Ownership' operating principle and 'student-first' management approach are positioned to drive occupancy and retention across the portfolio. The organization is led by Managing Partner Stephen G. Bus, supported by a senior team with dedicated COOs for corporate operations and property management, and EVPs overseeing investments, development, and construction.

The business model is asset-heavy and execution-dependent: revenue scales only as new properties are delivered and stabilized, with leasing cycles tied to academic calendars. Customer relationships are lease-based with individual students and their guarantors, creating fragmented end-customer concentration but high exposure to the higher-education vertical overall. Geographic diversification across multiple U.S. regions (Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Southwest, West, Northwest, Mountain West) mitigates single-market risk, though the company's growth cadence remains anchored to the pace of new development starts and capital availability.

Name

Up Campus Properties

Legal name

Up Campus Management, LLC

Website

https://upcampusproperties.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Up Campus Properties (dba Up Campus Living) is a Chicago-based private real estate developer and manager specializing in Class-A off-campus student housing within walking distance of major U.S. universities, with 23+ properties and 18,000+ beds across 16+ university markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Student Housing Real Estate

NAICS

Residential Property Managers (531311), Residential Building Construction (2361), Rooming and Boarding Houses, Dormitories, and Workers' Camps (72131)

SIC

Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744), Operators Of Nonresidential Buildings (6512)

akta.pro primary industry

Off-Campus Purpose-Built Student Housing (PBSA) Management (BPAJAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Student Housing Property Management (BPAJAFAF), Student Housing Marketing & Student Acquisition (BPAJAJAK), Student Housing Property Management (BPAJAGAH)

Keywords

• Student housing development
• Off-campus housing
• Property management services
• Sustainable real estate
• Campus-area real estate

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Student Housing Rentals: Up Campus generates revenue through rental income from its portfolio of student housing properties. Students pay rent for units in Class-A apartment communities near universities.
2. Property Management Services: The company provides comprehensive property management services to its own portfolio and potentially to external property owners, generating management fee revenue.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Up Campus Properties (dba Up Campus Living) develops, invests in, and manages Class-A off-campus student housing communities located within walking distance of major U.S. university campuses. The company operates a vertically integrated model covering site selection, design, construction, ownership, and hands-on property management for its portfolio of 23+ projects and more than 18,000 beds, with a focus on student-centric design and LEED-certified sustainable building practices.

Product overview

Up Campus Living operates as a student housing development and property management company offering integrated services including development, investment management, and ESG-focused sustainable building practices. The company maintains a portfolio of 29 named student housing properties across multiple universities in the United States, each branded under distinct property names (such as The Leo, Blume on Ivy, Nova Tallahassee, Hub Park Ave, etc.). The core offering consists of three integrated service lines: Student Housing Development (site selection through construction), Property Management (leasing, operations, and resident retention), and ESG services (LEED-certified sustainable building). Properties serve major universities including Florida State University, University of Virginia, George Washington University, University of Minnesota, Texas A&M, Ohio State, Purdue, University of Arizona, and others.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Nova: Student housing brand at Florida State University and University of Nevada, Reno.
• Blume
• Hub
• The George
• Fieldhouse Dinkytown

Products and services

• Student Housing Development End-to-end development of Class-A off-campus student housing communities, including site selection, design, construction, and investment management, delivered for institutional and joint venture capital partners.
• Property Management Hands-on property management services for student housing communities, including leasing, marketing, building operations, financial controls, and resident services designed to maximize occupancy and tenant retention.
• ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) Sustainable Building Program Sustainable building program integrating energy-efficient building, plant, and site systems; water and waste demand reduction; and LEED certification (Gold, Silver, and Basic) to maximize long-term economic value and resource efficiency.
• The Leo Class-A off-campus student housing community serving Florida State University with 782 beds in 277 units, located within walking distance of campus, opening Summer 2027.
• Blume on Ivy (UVA) Class-A off-campus student housing community serving University of Virginia with 640 beds in 231 units, located 2 blocks from campus, opening Summer 2027.
• The George Class-A off-campus student housing community serving George Washington University with 281 beds in 250 units at 2601 Virginia Avenue NW, Washington DC, opened Summer 2024.
• Fieldhouse Dinkytown Class-A off-campus student housing community serving University of Minnesota with 882 beds in 274 units at 805 15th Ave SE, Minneapolis, located 5 blocks from campus, opened Summer 2023.
• Nova Tallahassee Class-A off-campus student housing community serving Florida State University with 614 beds in 124 units at 600 W. Virginia Street, Tallahassee, opened Summer 2024.
• Aspire Reserve Class-A off-campus student housing community serving Texas A&M University with 874 beds in 346 units at 601 University Drive, College Station, TX, opening Summer 2026.
• Blume on 16th (OSU) Class-A off-campus student housing community serving Ohio State University with 325 beds in 74 units at 88 E 16th Ave, Columbus, OH, located 1 block from campus, opening Summer 2026.
• Nova Reno Class-A off-campus student housing community serving University of Nevada, Reno with 462 beds in 220 units, opening Summer 2028.
• Tucson First Class-A off-campus student housing community serving University of Arizona with 648 beds in 161 units at 1001 N Park Avenue, Tucson, AZ, opening Summer 2025.
• Hub Park Ave Class-A off-campus student housing community serving University of Arizona with 492 beds in 152 units at 1055 N Park Avenue, Tucson, AZ, opened Summer 2021.
• ŌLiv Residences & Graduate Hotel Class-A off-campus student housing community serving University of Arizona with 606 beds in 243 units at 900 E 2nd Street, Tucson, AZ, opened Summer 2020.
• Hub on State Class-A off-campus student housing community serving Purdue University with 608 beds in 230 units at 111 S. Salisbury Street, West Lafayette, IN, located 3 blocks from campus, opened Summer 2019.
• Hub on Campus West Lafayette Class-A off-campus student housing community serving Purdue University with 599 beds in 289 units at 134 Pierce Street, West Lafayette, IN, opened Summer 2018.
• Hub on Campus Tuscaloosa Class-A off-campus student housing community serving University of Alabama with 481 beds in 187 units at 521 Red Drew Ave, Tuscaloosa, AL, opened Summer 2018.
• Lark On Main Class-A off-campus student housing community serving University of Virginia with 355 beds in 172 units at 1000 W Main Street, Charlottesville, VA, opened 2016.
• Landmark at College Park Class-A off-campus student housing community serving University of Maryland with 829 beds in 276 units at 4500 College Avenue, College Park, MD, opened 2015.
• Malibu Class-A off-campus student housing community serving University of Arizona with 389 beds in 165 units at 1031 N Park Avenue, Tucson, AZ, opened Summer 2014.
• Fuse Class-A off-campus student housing community serving Purdue University with 489 beds in 229 units at 720 Northwestern Avenue, West Lafayette, IN, opened Summer 2014.
• The Soto Class-A off-campus student housing community serving University of Oregon with 380 beds in 120 units at 1180 Patterson Street, Eugene, OR, opened Summer 2014.
• Nora Class-A off-campus student housing community serving University of Washington with 216 beds in 205 units at 4106 12th Avenue NE, Seattle, WA, opened 2015.
• Pacific Class-A off-campus student housing community serving University of Arizona with 586 beds at 1020 N Tyndall Ave, Tucson, AZ, opened Summer 2013.
• Slate 901 Class-A off-campus student housing community serving University of Tennessee with 603 beds in 140 units at 901 Mountcastle Street SW, Knoxville, TN, opened 2018.
• The Lodge Class-A off-campus student housing community serving BYU-Idaho with 1,072 beds in 357 units at 538 S 2nd Street W, Rexburg, ID, opened 2014.
• Lofts 54 Class-A off-campus student housing community serving University of Illinois with 172 beds in 43 units, opened 2008.
• Chauncey Square Class-A off-campus student housing community serving Purdue University with 383 beds in 157 units, opened 2007.

Quantifiable outcome

• High occupancy rates achieved through customer-focused management approach
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CA Student Living (CA Ventures): Student housing division of CA Ventures developing and managing purpose-built student housing near major universities nationwide. Comparable in product offering and direct-to-student leasing model.
• Campus Apartments: Student housing developer and manager with decades of experience operating off-campus student communities near major universities. Comparable as an established PBSA operator with similar institutional focus.
• The Scion Group: Student housing owner, operator, and developer with a portfolio of off-campus student housing communities near major universities. Comparable in operating model targeting premium off-campus student housing near flagship campuses.
• American Campus Communities: Largest publicly-traded student housing REIT (now owned by Blackstone), operating and developing purpose-built student housing near major US universities. Directly comparable to Up Campus in product type, target market, and Class-A development strategy.
• Landmark Properties: Student housing developer specializing in high-quality, purpose-built communities near flagship universities across the US. Direct peer with similar Class-A development focus and pedestrian-to-campus strategy at top-tier schools.
• GMH Capital Partners: Student housing investment and development firm focused on Class-A off-campus housing near flagship universities, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. Comparable in development strategy and target markets.
• PeakMade Real Estate: Student housing management and investment platform operating off-campus student communities. Comparable as a third-party management and student housing operator serving institutional owners.
• Capstone Properties: Student housing developer focused on off-campus, purpose-built communities near major universities, particularly in the Southeast. Directly comparable in geographic and product market overlap.

Broad incumbents

• Greystar Real Estate Partners: Global leader in rental housing property management, investment, and development with significant student housing exposure including the acquisition of EdR. Comparable as a large-scale student housing operator and developer with institutional capital backing.

Others

• Canyon Partners Real Estate: Major alternative credit and real estate investment manager that provided bridge financing to Up Campus. Relevant as a capital provider in the student housing space and indicator of institutional investor appetite for the sector.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/upcampusstudentliving

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Up Campus Properties