The firm has created a dedicated Student Property service line focusing on Europe, Middle East and Africa (MENA), Asia Pacific and America as the key investment hubs. 

Knight Frank, which has been active in this space for the last 10 years, has strengthened its exposure to the specialist sector following continued investor appetite and an increase in global wealth looking to enter the market. The newly formed proposition will span valuations, agency, development consultancy and research – offering developers and investors a global perspective and one stop shop for PBSA. Knight Frank’s new offering aims to advise investors on moving capital and diversifying their property portfolios, as well as driving the delivery and development of global PBSA stock.      

Headed up by James Pullan, the team aims to capitalise on the growing momentum and recognition around the world for Purpose Built Student Accommodation as a resilient and top performing asset class in its own right. Knight Frank’s new global platform is centred across four key hubs – Emily Fell, based in Singapore, will be responsible for the Asia Pacific region, Joseph Morris in Dubai will oversee MENA and Ryan Lang in Texas leads the American team.

This month, Knight Frank will welcome four new recruits to its UK student operation, and has further plans to bolster its American team over coming months.   

Over the last 12 months, Knight Frank has valued PBSA totalling (USD) $16.8bn for a variety of market leading operators and their funders, acquired the Regent Portfolio for £869m and transacted in excess of (USD) $4.2bn worth of PBSA stock around the world. The firm valued South Point in South Africa, a 10,000 bed (USD) $186m portfolio, and sold Aspyre, Texas (USA) a 760 bed student scheme, for (USD) $54.5m – among many other market leading transactions. The firm continues to specialise in working with existing operators and new entrants to identify the sector’s best opportunities.

James Pullan, Head of Student Property at Knight Frank, commented: “Purpose Built Student Accommodation has become a globalised asset class. International investors recognise the story of a growing cohort of international students choosing higher education abroad. The sector is seen by investors as aligned with the highly stable higher education sector but underpinned by the structural under supply of accommodation.”