It has been more than three decades since I first began my commercial real estate career leasing, managing and investing in student housing while I attended the University of Texas at Austin, generally considered the birthplace of modern student housing, and I am convinced that during all those years, the industry never saw as much attention as it is seeing today.

Major players and investors from around the globe have exposure or want exposure to this burgeoning property subtype, once considered a niche asset class. Although we have seen many new players enter the space through the years (and many also exit), the number of discussions I have had with investors, or conferences I have attended over the past year where “student housing” has been on the tip of everyone’s tongue, has been unlike anything I have heard in the past. It is also interesting being the parent of three college-age children and commiserating with my friends who have kids in college about the perspect