Student Housing Unlocked: The Blueprint for Elevating Quality and Maximizing Occupancy

As one of the largest developers and operators of student housing across the US, Landmark Properties has built a reputation for delivering high-quality, innovative communities tailored to students' needs. But when it comes to student housing, it’s also important to know how to navigate risks while still capitalizing on the sector’s strong fundamentals. Despite ongoing challenges in the market, the company delivered over $2 billion worth of properties last year alone and started work on other major projects in prime university markets. In this episode of Student Housing Unlocked, Associate Editor Olivia Bunescu talks with Max LaVictoire, Landmark Properties’ Managing Director of Investor Relations, who discusses the unique challenges of tackling construction costs while maintaining high-quality standards. LaVictoire also shares the firm’s expansion strategy, along with the importance of keeping up with students’ needs. You'll also get a glimpse into their move in the SFR market and what sets this apart from their core focus on student housing. Here are the main topics LaVictoire and Bunescu talked about: Landmark’s strategies for mitigating market volatility in today’s unpredictable student housing market (01:33) The formula for crafting smart investment deals in the sector (03:13) How are the latest trends reflected in Landmark Properties’ portfolio? (05:09) The blueprint for selecting prime university markets and why some campuses shine brighter than others (07:04) How Landmark balances high construction costs with delivering top-tier, student-friendly living spaces (08:28) A behind-the-scenes look at their standout developments, including what makes Syracuse special (09:50) Innovative design and must-have amenities shaping the future of student housing (12:44) Exploring Landmark’s housing brands—The Standard, The Mark, etc.—and what sets them apart (14:00) How can operators keep a high occupancy rate across their portfolios? (15:50) Gathering feedback and a high focus on student-centered living 17:13) The opportunities of expanding into the SFR market with the Everstead brand (19:18) What’s next for Landmark Properties? (21:02) Pro tips for those looking to break into the student housing market (23:07)