Nuveen Real Estate and Value One expand European student housing JV with Polish acquisition

Eagle JVCo, the investment platform established in 2019 between Vienna-based Value One and Nuveen Real Estate on behalf of its parent TIAA, has agreed to acquire a portfolio of purpose-built student housing and two development sites in Poland.

The portfolio currently comprises around 150 beds, and this is due to rise to nearly 800 once the additional two developments are completed. As with the joint venture’s existing assets, it will be operated by Value One’s student housing platform, MILESTONE.

Marta Cladera de Codina, Managing Director at Nuveen Real Estate, said: “This most recent acquisition in Poland marks an important next step for both the Eagle JVCo and Nuveen’s involvement in the European housing market, as it represents the firm’s first residential investment in the country. Poland offers excellent characteristics in terms of student demographics, and a severe lack of quality purpose-built accommodation currently exists, so we believe that these assets will perform strongly once completed.”

Sebastian Gruber, Managing Director of Value One Development International commented: “We are excited to develop our first student housing properties in Poland together with our local partner Akron Management. The acquisition is fully aligned with our international growth aspirations and we are now entering the fourth major international market, after Portugal, Germany and Italy where we are already active.”

Gary Clarke, CEO of MILESTONE, said: “This acquisition offers us the opportunity to have an immediate operating presence in this exciting new market, combined with an ability to accelerate the roll-out of our branded new build product through the development pipeline.”

Nuveen Real Estate is investment advisor to the venture while Value One and MILESTONE, a Value One subsidiary, provide origination, development management and operational expertise.

Eagle JVCo’s professional advisory team comprised Akron Management, Savills, Crido Legal, B2RLaw and Linklaters.