MEMPHIS, TENN. — EdR (NYSE: EDR), a developer, owner and manager of collegiate housing, will use $171 million in proceeds from a recent equity offering to fund one acquisition and two new developments at Arizona State University, the University of Connecticut and the University of Louisville.
EdR has agreed to purchase The District on Apache, a student housing community serving Arizona State University, for approximately $92 million. In addition, the REIT will own and manage the $45 million The Oaks on The Square student housing property at the University of Connecticut, and has executed joint venture agreements with Georgia-based Landmark Properties Inc. to develop, own and manage The Retreat at Louisville, a student housing property at the University of Louisville.
“Each of these communities will strengthen our portfolio, bring additional value to our shareholders and further our company’s growth plan,” says Randy Churchey, president and CEO of Memphis-based EdR.
The District on Apache is a 900-bed community within walking distance of the Arizona State University Tempe campus. The property, which opened in August 2013, is fully occupied and 90 percent pre-leased for the coming academic year. EdR anticipates the property to be 95 percent pre-leased upon opening in fall 2014.
The District on Apache features 279 units, which include a mix of studio, one-, two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom floor plans. Each apartment features private or shared bathrooms, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, washers and dryers, flat screen televisions and custom furniture. Amenities include a lazy river pool, clubroom, virtual golf course, two-story fitness center, computer lab/business center and a giant outdoor television/movie theater.
EdR will own and manage the fourth phase of the University of Connecticut-Storrs Center/The Oaks on The Square when completed in summer 2015. EdR will own and manage the residential portion, The Oaks on The Square, while Storrs Center master developer Leyland Alliance LLC of Tuxedo, N.Y., will develop and own the 35,000 square feet of commercial space on the ground level.
The fourth phase of The Oaks on The Square will provide 204 units, which will consist of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. The property will be adjacent to the first three phases, which total 414 apartments and are fully pre-leased for the 2014-2015 leasing term. The third phase is on schedule for its August 2014 opening.
EdR has executed joint venture agreements with Landmark Properties to develop, own and manage The Retreat at Louisville at the University of Louisville. EdR will have a 75 percent ownership and will manage the community upon its completion. The 2015 delivery of The Retreat at Louisville is expected to cost approximately $45 million, with EdR’s share of costs at approximately $33.8 million. Landmark will begin construction on the 157 cottages and clubhouse in July.
The community will provide a mix of two- to six- bedroom cottages. Outdoor amenities will include onsite parking, a swimming pool, bocce ball and sand volleyball courts. The clubhouse will feature a fitness center, study lounge/business center, an Internet café, an indoor basketball court and a golf simulator.
EdR owns or manages 69 communities with more than 38,000 beds in 23 states and serving more than 57 colleges.
The stock price of EdR closed Tuesday, June 24, at $10.63 per share, up from $9.65 per share on Monday, June 24, 2013.
— Danielle Everson