Since its founding in 2005, Harrison Street has deployed $23.8 billion across 419 properties, establishing itself as one of the leading investors in alternative real assets. In this interview, Mike Gordon, global CIO of Harrison Street Asset Management, discusses the lessons learned from scaling across different markets over nearly two decades, the importance of process discipline and partner selection, and how these experiences shape the firm’s investment strategy today. He also shares his perspective on the evolving student housing landscape — from market selection and risk management to demographic shifts, international demand, and the growing influence of technology on higher education.
Harrison Street has deployed $23.8 billion across 419 properties since 2005. What lessons have you learned from scaling across different markets, and how do those lessons shape your investment strategy today?
Adherence to process rigor is key – there are a lot
