In a blockbuster real estate shakeup that turned heads across global investment circles, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and Landmark Properties have officially closed the chapter on one of their most ambitious ventures—selling a massive $1 billion student-housing portfolio in the United States to Morgan Stanley Investment Management and Global Student Accommodation (GSA). This wasn’t just a transaction; it was a masterclass in long-term strategy, precise timing, and the art of turning stable assets into future opportunities. The sale showcases the strength, maturity, and razor-sharp performance of the ADIA–Landmark partnership, which has quietly built one of the strongest student-housing platforms surrounding Tier 1 universities across America.
The portfolio itself is the stuff of investor dreams—high-demand residences located next to powerhouse universities like the University of Florida, Texas A&M, Oregon State, Kennesaw State, and more. With approximately 6,200 beds spread across cottage-style communities, sleek mid-rises, and towering high-rise buildings, the collection was a magnet for institutional investors. Morgan Stanley and GSA’s acquisition not only expands their presence to 50 properties across 23 U.S. states but also cements this deal as one of the largest student-housing transactions on the globe in 2025. For them, it’s a strategic jackpot. For ADIA and Landmark, it’s a perfectly executed exit.
What makes the transaction even more compelling is the story behind it. ADIA has been a pioneer in institutional student housing investment since 2015, partnering with Landmark to create, develop, and stabilize top-tier assets in some of America’s most competitive university towns. The sale, while impressive in numbers, represents something bigger—ADIA’s disciplined strategy of recycling capital, seizing new opportunities, and staying several steps ahead of fast-changing global markets. It’s not just about selling buildings; it’s about fueling the next wave of intelligent investment.
Landmark, too, emerges from this deal with a reinforced reputation. As one of the biggest student-housing developers in the U.S., this transaction validates its operational strength, development vision, and unmatched market insight. With liquidity unlocked and a proven blueprint behind them, Landmark is now positioned to channel its momentum into the next generation of student communities.
In short, this $1 billion move wasn’t merely a sale—it was a signal. A signal that ADIA and its partners are playing the long game, thinking globally, and shaping the future of real estate investment with meticulous precision and unstoppable ambition.