PHILADELPHIA, PA - Brandywine Realty Trust, Campus Crest Communities, Inc., and Harrison Street Real Estate Capital announced a joint venture partnership to develop a 33-story, 850-bed student housing tower at Brandywine’s Cira South development in University City, Philadelphia. The project, called The Grove at Cira Centre South, is being developed at 30th and Chestnut Streets on a site leased from the University of Pennsylvania (Penn).
The Grove at Cira Centre South has a total cost of $158.5 million and will be financed by a $97.8 million loan provided by PNC Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and Capital One, N.A., as Syndication Agent. Brandywine and Campus Crest will each own 30.0% of the joint venture, while HSRE will own 40.0%. The joint venture expects to attract graduate and undergraduate student residents from the surrounding area, including students from Penn (total enrollment of 25,000 students), Drexel University (total enrollment of 25,500 students) and other colleges and universities located in University City and Center City Philadelphia. Construction has already commenced with a targeted completion date in fall 2014; leasing is expected to begin in fall 2013.
The project will offer an attractive, upscale housing option within walking distance to retail, residential, mass transportation and university facilities and will feature attractively furnished units with bed-bath parity. It will include a broad array of high-end appointments including a roof top swimming pool, media lounge and a 24-hour fitness center. Residents will also have access to a full concierge level providing hotel-like amenities throughout the day including coffee service, a library technology center and first floor retail. Ample common areas including numerous study lounges will be designed to accommodate social and academic interaction. To foster a sense of community and promote resident engagement, the property will regularly host a variety of activities. A highly trained, professional staff – including a general manager, leasing manager, community assistants and a courtesy officer for security purposes – will serve residents. As part of the partnership agreement, Campus Crest will act as property manager of the completed 850-bed tower.
The tower, which will extend the Cira skyline on the western bank of the Schuylkill, was designed by architect Erdy McHenry in consultation with Cira master plan architect César Pelli. With guidance from the Institute for the Built Environment and Praxis Building Solutions, the project is expected to achieve LEED Gold certification. It is located at 2930 Chestnut Street in University City, which derives its name from the presence of colleges, universities, health systems and think tanks, and is the neighborhood west of Philadelphia’s Central Business District.
The Grove at Cira Centre South combines the experience of two REITs with complementary skill sets, which will enable the partnership to create an industry leading project targeting the high volume of college and university students in Philadelphia. Brandywine has extensive experience in urban, high-rise development and deep roots in the Philadelphia market, while Campus Crest’s industry leading, residence life focused management programs will bring the building to life. The project also continues the HSRE and Campus Crest relationship started in 2008.
“We look forward to further expanding our successful Cira Centre development and shaping the Philadelphia skyline with our new partners,” said Gerard H. Sweeney, President and Chief Executive Officer of Brandywine. “We recognized the strong demand for graduate and undergraduate student housing in University City and selected Campus Crest for its proven operating platform and track record of success. Additionally, Harrison Street’s astute investment experience and national market perspective further ensures excellent execution and a successful investment result.”
“Brandywine is an established real estate owner, operator and developer with a rich history of success, and we are proud they selected us as a partner for this very prestigious project in the dynamic University City submarket of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The transaction also gives us an entry into a more urban product while managing our risk,” said Ted W. Rollins, Chief Executive Officer of Campus Crest.
“We look forward to our continued expansion with Campus Crest, as this represents our 18th property investment together. We are further excited to be part of this high quality, student housing project in University City which includes a new partnership with Brandywine. Brandywine and Campus Crest are industry leaders and we are proud to be affiliated with them both,” said Christopher Merrill, Co-founder, President & CEO of Harrison Street.