Greystar has announced its entry into Denmark with the acquisition of a 1,758-bedroom purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) portfolio in Copenhagen from Urban Partners’ real estate arm, Nrep. The transaction marks Greystar’s debut in the Nordic region and its eighth European market.
The sustainable portfolio, developed and operated by Nrep, comprises four newly constructed PBSA assets in prime student districts: Amager, Nordhavn, Valby, and Frederiksberg. The four operational properties provide Greystar with immediate operational scale and a strong foundation in one of Europe’s attractive student cities.
“This is a landmark moment for Greystar as we take our first step into the Nordics. We believe Copenhagen offers all the fundamentals we look for including strong academic institutions, a diverse and growing student population, and an established, albeit undersupplied, market for modern student housing.
“Denmark is a natural next step for our further expansion into Europe, where we will continue to deliver local execution backed by what we believe is our global expertise, data-driven insights, and deep operational capabilities.”
Mark Kuijpers, Senior Managing Director – Central Europe, Greystar
Conceived in 2015, the UMEUS brand was developed by Nrep following extensive engagement with over 1,000 students to design housing aligned with their evolving needs.
This thorough research enabled Nrep to offer a differentiated and attractive housing solution and the concept has become a benchmark in the Danish market, combining compact private studios with extensive shared amenities such as lounges, gyms, communal kitchens, rooftop terraces, and retail spaces which are all designed to foster community and promote wellbeing.
“This transaction marks a proud milestone for the entire Nrep team. We identified a growing demand for suitable accommodation amongst students moving to Copenhagen.
“In response, we developed and operated the UMEUS concept: a unique blend of community living, sustainability, and prime urban locations tailored to students’ everyday needs.
“Having gone end to end with our first student housing portfolio, this is a clear example of how we successfully align social responsibility with commercial value through an attractive product. Now, we are pleased to entrust it to another long-term institutional owner.”
Thomas Riise-Jakobsen, Partner, Nrep Denmark
Greystar will continue to operate the properties as student accommodation under its established Canvas brand, ensuring continuity for existing residents while maintaining agreements with local educational institutions. All properties meet A-equivalent energy standards and include sustainability features such as solar PV.
Greystar’s entry into Denmark marks a significant step in its continued investment in Europe’s rental housing sector, where it has had a presence since 2013. With Copenhagen facing a shortfall in dedicated student accommodation, this move reflects Greystar’s long-term belief in the Nordic market and its intention to be part of the solution.
“We’re bringing our strong operational platform to Denmark with the goal of delivering high-quality student housing that also supports Copenhagen’s unmet need.”
Mark Kuijpers, Senior Managing Director – Central Europe, Greystar
