Pierce Videos

In Focus: Pierce Education Properties’ Fred Pierce gives a mid-year update on the student housing market June 2022 | IREI: Institutional Real Estate, Inc | Video - 5:38

Together San Diego - COVID-19: Impacts on Higher Education and Student Housing
June 2020 | The San Diego Union-Tribune | Video - 22:22

CAPRE Webinar Rewind: UNC at Chapel Hill, Boise State University, University of Iowa, Colorado State University, Pierce Education Properties & More Talk Student Housing in Fall, Impact on Design
June 2020 | CAPRE Media | Video - 2:08:28

The COVID-19 Pandemic: Impacts on Higher Education & Student Housing
May 2020 | Institutional Real Estate, Inc (IREI) | Video - 8:38

Where Are the Opportunities for Student Housing Developers in the Decade Ahead?
January 2020 | National Real Estate Investor (NREI) | Video - 7:08

In Focus: Fred Pierce on the current student housing market
January 2020 | Institutional Real Estate, Inc (IREI) | Video - 7:20

Fred Pierce’s Insights on the Student Housing Sector
October 2019 | Pension Real Estate Association (PREA) | Video -12:29

Fred Pierce’s View on the Student Housing Market
July 2019 | Video - 6:20

In Focus: Fred Pierce on the Student Housing Market
February 2019 | Institutional Real Estate, Inc (IREI) | Video - 5:20

In Focus: Fred Pierce on the student housing market
August 2018 | National Real Estate Investor | Video - 11:18

About Pierce Education Properties
January 2017 | Video - 03:29

PEP CEO Fred Pierce discusses the origins of his rapidly expanding student housing company, and plans for the future.

Student Housing Industry Trends
January 2017 | Video - 10:39

Fred Pierce, PEP President & CEO, talks about the current trends in student housing, and the future of this burgeoning industry.

Student Housing Misconceptions: Real or Fallacies?
January 2017 | Video - 04:45

Fred Pierce discusses truths, fallacies, and stereotypes of the student housing industry.

Pierce In The News

Student Housing Market Expected To Improve in 2024
Building Design & Construction| February 2024
“The investment sales market in student housing this year, much like all of commercial real estate, has not been very voluminous,” says Pierce. “In fact, some are expecting perhaps 20% of the volume that has been realized in recent years.”

What Residents Want—and Why
NAA Units Magazine| January 2024
College students opting for purpose-built student housing (PBSH) want to go where their friends are. For students, more favor private bedrooms and bathrooms if priced right, quality appliances and furniture and the highest-speed internet, (KrisAnn) Kizer says.

Two Student Housing Complexes Near State College Sold for Nearly $75 Million
StateCollege.com| November 2023
“Pierce has been pursuing properties in the State College market for more than a decade and these nearly 1,400 beds demonstrate a strong commitment to this dynamic student housing market,” Frederick W. Pierce IV, president and CEO of Pierce Education Properties, said in a statement. “This brings our cumulative student housing acquisitions to approximately $1.3 billion representing nearly 30,000 beds nationwide.”

Pierce Properties Propels College View Project
San Diego Business Journal| October 2023
Pierce Education Properties is building a $65.5 million student housing project - College View - overlooking the campus of San Diego State University.

Investment Fund Targets Student Housing
San Diego Business Journal| September 2023
Fred Pierce, founder and president of Pierce Education Properties, has started an investment fund for high-net-worth individuals who want to get into the booming student housing market.

Pierce Family Champions a Lasting Legacy and Diversity in Fraternity and Sorority Life at SDSU
SDSU News Center| August 2023
Generations of the Pierce family gathered on Aug. 15 in front of a wall inside of a building at San Diego State University’s Fraternity Row carrying their namesake. There, you will find a collection of photos of three generations of the family.

Student Housing’s Strong Report Card for Fall Semester
Globe St.| August 2023
“With its infamous recession-resistant characteristics, student housing is poised at the top of real estate asset classes to perform exceedingly well in the short and long run. Occupancies and rent growth for academic year 2023-24 are as strong as ever and are expected to remain high at America’s strongest universities,” Frederick W. Pierce, IV.

5 Keys to Student Housing Appeal
NAA| July 2023
“Leasing velocity and timing have changed over the last few years, with this year ahead of last year and last year ahead of the year before,” he (Frederick Pierce) says. 

SDSU Fraternity and Sorority Life Receives a Major Boost
SDSU News Center| July 2023
San Diego State University’s Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity has announced a $3 million endowment from alumnus Frederick W. Pierce IV ('84, '88) and Christine F. Pierce to enhance and help sustain fraternity and sorority life at SDSU.

The Ongoing Evolution of Leasing
NAA| May 2023
Fred W. Pierce, President and CEO of Pierce Education Properties, which has 28,000 beds in 18 states, agrees and sees that as an industry-wide trend. “We’re all data mining and figuring out how to use social media and reach our target audience,” he says. 

Franklin Pierce University holds 58th Commencement ceremony
Monadnock Ledger-Transcript | May 2023
Frederick W. Pierce IV, chair of the university’s board of trustees, said in his opening remarks that the Class of 2023 was “the most unique graduating class in the history of FPU.”

Eight Tips for Boosting Ancillary Income
Student Housing Business | March/April 2023
“The rapid rise of proptech firms has expanded opportunities for generating ancillary income.” Kizer said.

Pierce Education Finishing $47M SDSU Student Housing Complex
San Diego Business Journal | January 2023
“This [Topaz] is going to be the most highly amenitized student complexes at San Diego State, that’s pedestrian, that’s in immediate walking distance,” Pierce said.

CBRE Fully Pre-Leases New SDSU Housing Development
ConnectCRE | January 2023
Topaz, a mixed-use student housing development under construction near San Diego State University, has been fully pre-leased (for retail spaces) by CBRE’s Reg Kobzi, Joel Wilson and Michael Peterson. The team represented Pierce Education Properties as the landlord in the leases totaling 10,000 square feet on the ground floor of the building scheduled to open this summer.

Fred Pierce - Profiles in Student Housing - SHI710
Student Housing Insight | January 2023
In this episode (of Student Housing Insight), Wes Deese sits down with the Fred Pierce, to talk about his journey in student housing.  For Fred, that journey began at his alma mater, San Diego State University, when he helped the university figure out a way to acquire and redevelop tracts of land surrounding the campus.  His career is a testimony to how building relationships and providing value to those relationships will open up doors that may have never been possible for other developers.

Five Questions with Fred Pierce
Student Housing Business | December 2022
”More than ever we are seeing a flight to quality in higher education: applications, admissions and enrollment growth are up at stronger universities. The Power 5 football conferences are getting way more applications than other universities.”

Student Housing Q&A with Fred Pierce: Demand Remains Strong
ConnectCRE | December 2022
”Our expectations for the future are for interest rates to stabilize and then start declining in 2023 and for spreads to narrow.  This will bring down the cost of debt, make higher loan proceeds available and increase student housing values.  At the same time student housing markets – occupancies and rents – will remain strong at America’s strongest public universities.”

Student Housing Investment Sales Activity Grinds to a Halt
WealthManagement.com | December 2022
"The volume of deals is less than projected,” says Frederick Pierce, president and CEO of Pierce Education Properties, an owner and manager of student housing properties based in San Diego.

Student Housing Companies Form Coalition to Advocate for Mental Wellness
Student Housing Business | October 2022
Twenty-four student housing providers, including Pierce Education Properties, have joined together to form the College Student Mental Wellness Advocacy Coalition.

Post-COVID Report: Purpose-Built Student Housing What’s New?
Units Magazine by NAA | September 2022
However, some markets have become saturated with double occupancy bedrooms, so operators have responded by having only one student occupy a room designed for two beds, Pierce says. That was the case at his BLVD63 building at San Diego State University where, he says, “It’s been 100 percent occupied for two years by letting the market determine how many of those bedrooms are single vs. double occupied.”

Pierce Education Properties Acquires 382-Bed Student Housing Portfolio Near Clemson University
REBusiness Online | September 2022
Pierce Education Properties has acquired a two-property portfolio of student housing communities offering 382 beds near Clemson University in South Carolina.

Giving Forward
SDSU NewsCenter | August 2022
“Higher education changes people‘s lives. It certainly changed my life,” says Pierce. “Without San Diego State, I think it is fair to say I wouldn’t be where I am now professionally. I wouldn’t have the same expanded group of friends, so many of whom have SDSU connections.”

Going Back to School
Units Magazine by NAA | July 2022
“Enrollment trends continues the story of the haves and the have nots,” he says. “The most selective universities are growing their enrollments in fall 2021 and are expected to continue to do so in fall 2022. With a pending recession on the horizon, graduate programs should grow even more. The hardest hit by COVID have been the community colleges, which reflect typically lower income and more at-risk college students, are down 15.1 percent the last two years.”

Breaking Down Barriers to Development
Units Magazine by NAA | June 2022
”The biggest challenge for new construction is delays in the issuance of permits – every type of permit – discretionary permits, demolition permits, grading permits, building permits,” says Pierce.

Student Housing Amenities Come Back to Reality
GlobeSt.com | April 2022
“There has been a move away from the more outrageous amenities, largely because new development is in pedestrian locations where it is difficult and expensive to provide those amenities on the postage-sized lots many of these projects are being built on,” says Pierce.

McDonalds Replaced with New Topaz Apartments
Daily Aztec | April 2022
San Diego State University’s Daily Aztec covers the development of the the land that previously was McDonalds restaurant near campus into Pierce’s newest development, Topaz Apartments.

Pierce Education Properties Acquires 540-Bed Property Near Iowa State University
Student Housing Business | March 2022
Student Housing Business covers the acquisition of The Madison, along with it’s impressive amenities list. This marks PEP’s return to the market in Ames, IA.

Pierce Education Properties Buys 540-Bed Student Community in Iowa
Multi-Housing News | March 2022
PEP Student acquires The Madison, a 13-building community serving students at Iowa State University.

Vylla Title Closes $390M Refi for Student Housing Portfolio
Multi-Housing News | February 2022
”Fred Pierce, president & CEO of Pierce Education Properties, said in an interview with Multi-Housing News that capital flowed into the student housing sector at historic levels in 2021.”

McCullough Client of the Month
McCullough | December 2021
Pierce Education Properties, and the journey to the company it is today, are featured McCullough Partners alongside their Holiday Message.

San Diego Business Journal’s SD500
San Diego Business Journal | December 2021
Frederick Pierce IV has been honored once again as one of San Diego’s 500 Most Influential People for his achievements in Real Estate.

Post-Covid Market Fundamentals Place Spotlight On Student Housing, And Investors Are Betting Big
BisNow | December 2021
"In most urban metro areas in California, there's no conventional apartments available either," Pierce said. "It's difficult for everybody to find housing, not just students.""

Strong Fall Leasing Numbers Entice Student Housing Investors
Wealth Management | November 2021
“Crossover capital from multifamily to student housing is becoming more prevalent,” says Pierce.”

No Surprise to Insiders: Student Housing is Resilient in COVID Crisis
Connect CRE | October 2021
”’What may surprise the investment community is that method of course delivery, whether substantially in-person, hybrid or substantially online, had no material impact on off-campus occupancies,’ says Pierce”

Surge in Demand Propels Student Housing as In-Person Learning Resumes
REJournals.com | October 2021
“The student housing sector has performed second to only industrial during the pandemic.”

Student Housing Holds Strong During Pandemic
Units Magazine by NAA | October 2021
“Pierce Education and RealPage both predict a large incoming fall 2021 freshman class. “Some of these young adult renters are college students eager to leave Mom and Dad and head back out on their own rather than enduring another minute of remote learning from their childhood bedrooms,” says RealPage Chief Economist Greg Willett in an article on student-competitive properties.”

Why Capital is Gravitating towards Student Housing
MultiHousingNews.com | September 2021
“Investor interest is again peaking in student housing. It is an asset class that prospers during economic growth and even more so during recessions and down cycles. The pandemic proved the sector’s recession-resistant characteristics once again.”

Off-Campus Student Housing Emerges from COVID-19 on Strong Footing
WealthManagment.com | July 2021
““The biggest investment opportunity in student housing is to act swiftly before it becomes more clear regarding how well student housing has performed during the pandemic and the bright future ahead for America’s Tier One universities,” says Fred Pierce, president and CEO of Pierce Education Properties.”

Student Housing and COVID-19: Myths and Realities
Multifamily Matters | July 2021
“A conversation with two longtime multifamily industry veterans, Fred Pierce, President and CEO of Pierce Education Properties and KrisAnn “KC” Kizer, National Director of Leasing and Marketing with Pierce Education Properties…discussing the effects to the student housing industry from the global pandemic.”

InterFace Panel Predicts Wave of Student Housing Investment Sales Transactions in Second Half of 2021
REBusinessOnline | July 2021
“For Fred Pierce, president and CEO of Pierce Education Properties, transaction volumes last year are indicative of growth to come. “I was surprised by the performance in the sector during the fourth quarter of last year — it was the third largest fourth quarter in the last seven years, even during the pandemic,” he said.”

Student Housing Anticipates Stronger School Year
GlobeSt.com | June 2021
“‘Many factors are pointing to increased student housing demand, fueled by students who took a gap year now enrolling in four-year institutions, new high school graduates, and the gradual return of international students,’ say the Yardi analysts.”

Lessons for the Future: Student Housing That Makes the Grade
NAA’s Units Magazine | June 2021
“Frederick W. Pierce IV of Pierce Education Properties has found the same trend. “It’s always been considered a recession-resistant asset class and now we know it’s pandemic resistant, too,” he says, “Our collections were 98% in academic year 2020-21.”"

Recession Restores Confidence in Student Housing
GlobeSt.com | June 2021
“Frederick W. Pierce, president and CEO, tells GlobeSt.com. “While overall university enrollments were down 2.5% in academic year 2020-21 according to National Student Clearinghouse, enrollments at four-year public universities were level.”

Off-Campus Student Housing Emerges from COVID-19 on Strong Footing
WealthManagement.com | May 2021
“Despite navigating through the uncertainty of school closings, hybrid learning and various restrictions on campus life, the off-campus student housing sector made it through the pandemic on strong footing, ensuring that investment interest will remain high.”

Focus on Fundamentals
Student Housing Business | March 2021
“By the fourth quarter — typically the strongest for student housing sales — capital was back readily flowing through the sector and investors were out seeking properties.
‘It certainly will be dramatically higher than Q2 and Q3, ‘ says Fred Pierce, president and CEO of Pierce Education Properties.”

Student Housing Business Question of the Month
Student Housing Business | February 2021
“Industry Experts answer Student Housing Business’ Question of the Month: “After not seeing any for a long stretch, the industry has now had two major portfolio sales over the past few months (Preferred Apartment Communities and University Communities). Is that a harbinger of more portfolio sales to come? Or an outlier/ coincidence?”

2020 Student Housing Business Top 25
Student Housing Business | December 2020
Pierce Education Properties has been featured once again on SHB’s iconic Top 25 Owners of Student Housing and Top 25 Managers of Student Housing.

2020 Provides Clear Vision for Legendary San Diego Business Owners
Independent Voter News | December 2020

Student Housing Vacancy Grows As Rents Rise
PDF Link | GlobeSt.com | December 2020
“Fred Pierce of Pierce Properties says that the news of a vaccine and the conclusion of the election will encourage both domestic and international students, who couldn’t return to the country during the pandemic, to return to school.”

Back to School During the Pandemic
National Apartment Association | December 2020
“More than 99% of the students who signed leases with Pierce for the 2020-21 academic year moved in as scheduled this fall and 99% have paid their rent.”

Private Dorm Development in Florida
FloridaTrend.com | November 2020
“A lesson this year has been that, irrespective of educational delivery method, university students want to live at school for the full college experience,” says Frederick W. Pierce, IV, president and CEO of Pierce Education Properties.

Pierce Education Adds 2,700 Beds to Student Housing Portfolio
Multi-Housing News | October 2020
“Pierce Education Properties has acquired Chandler Crossings, a 2,772-bed student housing portfolio in East Lansing, Mich. The portfolio is valued at more than $100 million, according to the buyer. With this acquisition, the company surpassed $1 billion in cumulative student housing acquisitions.”

Pierce Education Properties Acquires 2,772-Bed Portfolio Near Michigan State University
Student Housing Business | October 2020
“Pierce Education Properties (PEP) has acquired Chandler Crossings, a three-property, 2,772-bed student housing portfolio near Michigan State University in East Lansing. The acquisition includes The Club (768 beds), The Village (1,068 beds) and The Landings (936 beds).”

Why Student Housing Could Rebound for Spring
PDF Link | GlobeSt.com | October 2020
“In the fall semester, Pierce continued to see strong occupancy in his portfolio, but he expects that more students will begin to return to school in the spring. “I expect that many of those few students who elected to study from home in the fall, perhaps 3% to 5% of students, will return to college in the spring and that some universities will pivot to offering more courses in-person,” he says.

A Closer Look at Student Housing Investment
Multi-Housing News | October 2020
“Overall, the student housing sector has performed much better than expected. And most investors are now looking at Tier 1 universities and colleges, where there is greater diversity and more demand for student housing product as those schools are expected to continue to grow over time.”

Gen Z May Be Willing to Trade Data Privacy for Enhanced Services
Multi-Family Executive | October 2020
“From booking time in the gym to controlling access gates to keyless door entry, package services, and thermostats, faucets and light switches that are all connected to the internet, Gen Z is actively buying into technologies that also help property and asset managers boost efficiencies.”

Campus Outbreaks Have Muddied the Picture for Student Housing
WealthManagement.com | September 2020
“At our properties [at MSU] we captured 170 leases the first weekend after the university gave notice to those students to vacate,” says Fred Pierce, president of Pierce Education Properties, headquartered in San Diego.

Online Education Hasn’t Hampered Student Housing Collections
GlobeSt.com | September 2020
“While rent collections have not been impacted, the university plans and market fundamentals have changed dramatically, particularly competed to Pierce’s initial outlook earlier in the pandemic.
‘As universities began announcing fall re-opening plans in May and June, optimism was high as about two-thirds were indicating plans to be holding classes either entirely or substantially in-person,’ says Pierce, IV.”

Student Housing Test: Q&A with Pierce Education Properties
PDF Link | Commercial Observer | July 2020
“We are seeing the typical university implementing plans to “de-densify” their on-campus housing in 2020-21 by closing dormitories that have gang bathroom facilities and/or reducing the number of students living in the same room (e.g. returning to single-occupancy rooms as opposed to doubles and triples). The result is that most universities will be reducing their effective housing capacity on campus by 20 to 50 percent. The super-majority of those students will all be moving into off-campus student housing.”

To Be or Not To Be? How to Handle Cutting Amenities During COVID-19
PDF Link | Multifamily Executive | July 2020
“Pierce [Education Properties] is offering more virtual events such as yoga, dance contests, lunch on the go, outside study areas, and weight training in the apartments. ‘We will get through this together, and we appreciate your patience as this pandemic is upon us’ is often the message [Senior Vice President of Marketing, Maureen] Lannon communicates to her residents."

Marquis Who’s Who: Architecture, Construction, and Real Estate | PDF Link
Millennium Magazine 5th Edition | July 2020
President and CEO, Frederick Watson Pierce IV, is featured in the Marquis Who’s Who in Architecture, Construction, and Real Estate. Learn more about his success in the Real Estate Sector and how “he got ‘bit’ by the commercial Real Estate bug”.

Despite Visa Upheaval, Remote Classes, Student Housing Owners Say Leasing is Ramping Up July 2020 | PDF Link
BisNow.com | July 2020
‘Demand is being pushed off campus, we’ve had universities call us saying, ‘We are closing residence halls.’ … [And while] some students delayed their leasing decision, the universities are de-densifying, it will lead to a more robust leasing season in the summer,’ [Pierce] said.”

Why Student Housing Occupancy Could Increase for Fall
National Real Estate Investor Online (NREI) | June 2020
“With most universities announcing that they will be open in the fall, this will be a robust summer leasing season,” said Pierce, adding that leasing activity could bleed into September as students secure housing later than usual.”

Student Housing Owners Look Forward to the Fall Semester
National Real Estate Investor Online (NREI) | June 2020
We expect perhaps the most robust late summer and early fall pre-leasing in industry history,” says Frederick W. Pierce, IV, president and CEO of Pierce Education Properties.

How is COVID-19 impacting student housing? University Business | May 2020
A large percentage of our residents continue to live with us and will remain with us next year. Their parents have saved for the cost of their education (including room and board), and financial aid packages have remained in place.

Tier 1 Student Housing May Do OK During Recession, But Smaller Markets Could Miss Out. | PDF Link
BisNow.com | April 2020
Pierce Education Properties President and CEO Fred Pierce noted in an email a prediction made last week by Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, that such a timeline would be the case.

Student Housing Deals Come to a Near Halt. GlobesSt.com | April 2020
"“We believe that pricing will return to pre-virus levels once the pandemic is fully under control and universities are back in session.  In fact, we believe that collections and rents for student housing will prove to have been stronger than conventional multi-family during this pandemic.”

Student Housing Occupancy Could Be Up in the Fall. GlobesSt.com | April 2020
“We continue to be bullish on student housing and are continuing to pursue new acquisitions with an expectation, however, that new closings will not occur until the fall.”

Q&A: Fred Pierce on coronavirus and student housing.
Institutional Real Estate, Inc (IREI) | March 2020
"We continue to pre-lease for the fall semester, and our leasing is on the same strong pace as last year. In fact, we signed approximately 500 leases across our 16,000-bed portfolio last week alone, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic”

Universities Have Shut Down. But Privately-Owned Student Housing Communities Have Allowed Residents to Remain.
National Real Estate Investor Online (NREI) | March 2020
"Students have thus far have paid their rent and continued to pre-lease at the same velocity as last year," says Fred Pierce.

Student Housing Dealmakers Work the Whole Calendar
National Real Estate Investor Online (NREI) | February 2020
“The sector is becoming more sophisticated in analyzing and forecasting pre-leasing and expected occupancies, to enable steady closings year-round,” says Pierce.

Good Student Housing Deals Prove Hard to Find in Smaller Markets
National Real Estate Investor Online (NREI) | January 2020
“Over the past couple of years, cap rates for student apartments in secondary and tertiary markets trended down. To where there has only been a spread of 5 to 10 basis points between those markets and Power Five football conference markets.”

Executive Q&A: Fred Pierce, CEO, Pierce Education Properties and Chairman, SDSU Fowler College of Business
San Diego Business Journal | January 2020
Frederick Pierce gives insight into the world of student housing and the future of San Diego State University.

Community Connection with Cliff Albert - Interview of Fred Pierce
600 KOGO News Radio (Audio - 29:51) | December 2019
One of San Diego's top business leaders, who served as the major spokesman for the SDSU West project that was approved by voters, talks about the future of student housing and the economic impact of San Diego State University.

Pierce Education Properties Named to Top 25 Owners & Managers of Student Housing
Student Housing Business | December 2019
Pierce Education Properties was named to the Student Housing Business’s Annual Top 25 List for both Owners (#14) and Managers (#18).

SD 500: Most Influential People in San Diego
San Diego Business Journal | December 2019
Frederick W. Pierce named to San Diego Business Journal’s Top 500 Most Influential People list.

The Top 10 Student Housing Mangers for 2019 by Online Reputation
Multifamily Executive | December 2019
Pierce Education Properties lands spot in J Turner’s Top 10 Student Housing Managers for 2019 by Online Reputation.

Capital projects: 5 ways to pay
University Business | December 2019
“A public-private partnership (P3)—in which a public institution and a private company collaborate to finance, build and operate projects—tends to be popular for campus housing projects.”

Day of Giving Soars to New Record
SDSU NewsCenter | October 2019
“The largest donation of the day was made by Fred Pierce (’84, ’88) who contributed a base donation of $36,000 to the Courage Through Cancer Fund. Pierce’s gift will be used toward housing for students in crisis.”

The Best Markets for Student Housing
GlobeSt.com | October 2019
"In student housing investment, we always start by focusing on the anchor university. We believe the strongest opportunities are at large, public, power five football conference universities.”

The Fig will be an Opportunity Zone Investment, Ventus Group Officials Say | PDF Link
BisNow.com | September 2019
"Pierce Education Properties President and CEO Fred Pierce said increased enrollment to schools with big-time football programs drives the demand for student housing.”

Housing for today’s students multifamilyexecutive.com | September 2019
"Student housing communities with sustainable design features are ‘viewed very favorably’ by students—especially if the property has earned a certification for energy efficiency, says Pierce. But students may not be willing to pay more to live in a green building. ‘We are not seeing the sustainability preference translate into higher rent than less sustainable competitors,’ says Pierce."

Student Housing Developers Focus on Tier Two Schools for New Projects
nreionline.com | September 2019
"Developers are having to look at a broader set of schools to find the most desirable sites that are within easy walking distance of university classrooms. ‘The location of purpose-built student housing projects has progressively moved closer to campus over the last two decades,’ says Pierce."

Purpose Built Student Housing Has Evolved Forbes.com | August 2019
Student housing is now a huge draw for universities. Communities are embracing purpose-built student housing projects as a way to move students from community houses to centralized locations that can accommodate a student’s lifestyle."

Student Housing Lease on Pace with 2018 GlobeSt.com | July 2019
“The most notable change in pre-leasing year over year was the fact that most companies started the pre-leasing process earlier—many as early as September—this year than in year’s past.”

The Rise of Hybrid Student Apartment Projects GlobeSt.com | July 2019
“A new student housing product is arriving on the market: a hybrid of both traditional by-the-bed student housing and conventional by-the-unit apartments for adult professionals.”

How Much Value Is There in Ground-Floor Retail Space at Student Housing Properties?
National Real Estate Investor | June 2019
“Most ground level retail is a drag on a student housing project. But in the right location, retail, restaurant or food can be an asset to a project and can support credit tenants.”

Retaining Employees at Your Student Communities National Apartment Association Blog | June 2019
“Pierce Education utilizes a mixture of hands-on and online training, including courses offered through NAA and Grace Hill. The company also complements its training with a robust mentorship program.”

Institutional Investors Views Urban Student Housing As A Safety Play PDF Link
BisNow | June 2019
“Once high-rises become wood structures and they’ve been done enough for contractors to get familiar with it, it may make more urban mid-rise stuff comparatively more affordable.”

Filling Student Housings’s Labor Gap
National Apartment Association Blog | June 2019
“Similar to all of the top 25 student housing management companies, we are looking for peak performers who we can either mentor from within our organization, grow through mentorship programs or by bringing in new team members.”

Student Housing Fundamentals Strengthen Ahead of the Fall 2019 Semester National Real Estate Investor | May 2019

“Most companies started the pre-leasing process earlier—many as early as September, that’s the most notable change in pre-leasing year-over-year.”

Expect $8B to $10B in Student Housing Sales Volume This Year
GlobeSt.com | April 2019

“Student housing sales volumes have been increasing since 2015, and it has created a new industry norm.”

Property Prices Keep Rising in the Student Housing Sector
National Real Estate Investor | March 2019

“Average cap rates on student housing transactions are now near those paid for apartment buildings.”

Student Housing Investment Grows as Recession Looms
GlobeSt.com | February 2019

“The rising possibility of a downturn has driven capital to more recession-proof asset classes, including student housing.”

Construction Labor Shortages are Impacting Student Housing Developers
National Real Estate Investor | January 2019

“Student housing developers are trying to finish new projects on time no matter how much it costs.” 

Bracing For A Recession: Industry Experts Weigh In On What Preventive Measures They Are Taking
PDF Link | Bisnow | January 2019

When is the commercial real estate property bubble going to burst?

What’s On My Mind: Quality Research Needed
Student Housing Business | December 2018

“With a lack of publicly available data, now is the time for the industry to create a solution.”

Investors Remain Bullish on Student Housing as a Diversification Play
National Real Estate Investor | December 2018

“As the real estate cycle winds down, investors view student housing as one of the few recession-resistant asset classes.”

Student Housing Experts Say a Recession is Coming and They Are Ready to Capitalize
PDF Link | BisNow | December 2018

A downturn could prove once again that the student housing industry is recession-resilient.

Student Housing Construction Expected to Fall Next Year
GlobeSt.com | November 2018

In 2019, for the first time this cycle, student housing construction will likely fall below 40,000 beds per year.

A 2018 Mid-Year Investment Update on the Student Housing Sector
National Real Estate Investor | September 2018

As foreign and institutional investors seek portfolio diversification capital is likely to continue flowing into student housing properties. - Fred Pierce

Will Foreign Policy Changes Affect the Student Housing Sector?
SoCal Real Estate | August 2018

International students have become an increasingly important segment of the United States' higher education community. But since President Trump's 2016 election, many higher education leaders have communicated concerns about the future of international student enrollment in the U.S.

SDSU Corky McMillin Center for Real Estate August 2018 Newsletter
Fowler College of Business Newsletter | August 2018

Highlighting Fred Pierce, a Real Estate Advisory Board Members who provides tremendous support to the Corky McMillin Center for Real Estate programs and activities.

Pre-Leasing Velocity Slows for Student Housing Properties
National Real Estate Investor | July 2018

“New properties close to campus are drawing students away from properties farther out. However, overall rents continue to rise and most properties are on track to be fully-occupied by the start to the school year.”  -Bendix Anderson, NREI

Industry Reacts to Proposed EdR Deal
Student Housing Business | June 2018

“As word spreads throughout the industry about a possible take-private sale of EdR (NYSE: EDR), the student housing industry is abuzz with reaction and speculation on the potential positives and negatives for the companies involved and the sector.”

Pierce Education Properties, DWS Acquire Community Near Indiana University
April 2018
 

Student Housing Cap Rates Are At An All-Time Low
GlobeSt.com | March 2018

“Most reports peg total investment sales in this category to be in the $8-billion to $9-billion range, which would make 2017 the second-largest volume in industry history, behind the $10-billion-plus in 2016.”  -Natialie Dolce, GlobeSt.com
 

Showcasing Revamped Student Housing in Virtual Reality
Student Housing Business | November 2017

Anna Singleton, CEO of ShowMyPropertyTV, is changing the way Generation Z looks for student housing, and Pierce is joining her on the journey.
 

Back to School
Institutional Real Estate Investor - Americas | November 2017

"Nearly two decades after its inception, the student housing asset class has emerged as a preferred niche sector for institutional real estate investment."
-Fred Pierce, IREI Americas
 

Student Housing Sales Speed Up
National Real Estate Investor | October 2017

“After a slow beginning to the year, 2017 now seems likely to be one of the biggest years ever for sales of student housing properties." -Bendix Anderson, NREI
 

Fred Pierce named one of The Daily Transcript's 2017 Top 50 Influential Leaders
The Daily Transcript | September 2017

Read The Daily Transcript piece featuring Fred Pierce as one of this year's most notable business leaders.
 

Pierce Acquires 528-Bed Student Housing Community Near University of Virginia
August 2017
 

Why Student Housing Is Outperforming Multifamily
GlobeSt.com | July 2017

"The success of this sector follows a significant trend of institutional investors diversifying away from the four 'food groups' of CRE and allocating a portion of their real estate capital to less-correlated niche asset classes." 
-Fred Pierce, GlobeSt.com.
 

The Future of Free Tuition
National Real Estate Investor | July 2017

"Growth in free- and subsidized-tuition programs at public colleges and universities could goose enrollments in some states, but will there be much benefit for the private student housing market?"  -Bendix Anderson, NREI
 

Risk Management 101
National Real Estate Investor | July 2017

"What keeps top student housing pros up at night? These five threats to their businesses."  -Bendix Anderson, NREI
 

SOP Student Housing Forum Takeaways: Reading, Writing, and Core Investing
Sandler O'Neill + Partners | June 2017

"The level of institutional interest in Student Housing continues to grow with return expectations steadily declining as shooting for the stars is replaced with the luxuriousness of consistent mid-upper single digit returns."
 

SDSU Alumni Won’t Succumb to SuckerCity Siren
May 2017

“Of all the news that emerged this week about the horribly lopsided and flawed plan from FS Investors, perhaps the most impactful is what the Past Presidents Council of SDSU Alumni did Tuesday. It designated a spokesman and handed him a crate of grenades.”

If I Knew Then...
Crain's San Diego | May 2017

"In this ongoing series... executives, entrepreneurs and business leaders [talk] about mistakes that have shaped their business philosophy."  
-Bryna Kranzler, Crain's
 

Where Will My Child Live When They Attend College?
It's Your Money and Your Life, KFMB AM760 | April 2017

In their latest podcast, Richard Muscio & Joe Vecchio invite Fred Pierce to discuss housing accommodations for today's students.

Institutional Investors Coming Around to Student Housing, Sector Seen as Recession-Resistant Alternative to Apts.
National Real Estate Investor | March 2017

"Once an overlooked niche, the student housing sector is attracting increased attention from major investors, who see the sector as offering less rental growth volatility and a recession-resistant hedge to conventional apartments."  -Randyl Drummer, CoStar
 

Consolidation and Competition in the Student-Housing Sector
Globe St. | March 2017

"Now that it’s recognized as a viable and profitable alternative category for those looking to diversify, student housing is encouraging strength of scale and drawing private, public and international investors."  -Carrie Rossenfeld, GlobeSt.com
 

A Rush To Meet Rising Demand, and Expectations, for Student Housing
New York Times | February 2017

"The student-housing sector... is still considered a relatively new asset class when compared with other property types. But with its growth prospects, steady revenue stream from rents and comparatively high capitalization rates, it has already become a popular investment vehicle for big institutions."  -Vivian Marino, NYT
 

What's on My Mind - A New Age
Student Housing Business Magazine | February 2017

"The Top 25 Owners in the sector continue to dominate student housing ownership, with their annual market share of the AXIO 175 Markets ranging from 59 percent to 69 percent and averaging 65 percent in recent years."  -Fred Pierce, SHB
 

The Growing Student Housing Industry
PDF Link | Bisnow | December 2016

"Universities can be economic engines, and student housing has become a big player in commercial real estate as a result, driving investment and development."  -Karen Jordan, Bisnow
 

Why Student Housing Is Becoming a Hot Product Type
PDF Link | Bisnow | November 2016

"Surging student enrollment numbers are driving demand for student housing, according to San Diego-based Pierce Education Properties."  
-Patricia Kirk, Bisnow
 

Student-Housing Trends That May Surprise You
GlobeSt.com | October 2016

"From the high level of amenities being offered to the astoundingly high occupancy rate, Pierce Education Properties’ Fred Pierce reveals to GlobeSt.com EXCLUSIVELY a variety of trends in student housing that show just how much this sector has changed."  -Carrie Rossenfeld, GlobeSt.com
 

Best Year Ever
Student Housing Business Magazine | October 2016

"It's been a big year, and it's been driven by a large volume of properties available for purchase and by a tremendous amount of equity capital available to finance those acquisitions. Over the next two years, I think we could eclipse $1 billion in assets."  -Lynn Peisner, SHB
 

Build v. Buy
Student Housing Business Magazine | August 2016

PEP CEO Fred Pierce and other industry leaders weigh in on the current state of the student housing market and the build vs. buy debate.

An eye for acquisition: "We've been in the sector for two decades, and I'd say the environment has never been greater for investment in student housing."  
-Lindsey Walker Marcec, SHB
 

SHB Question of the Month
Student Housing Business Magazine | August 2016

"Are U.S. colleges and universities becoming overly dependent on international students to maintain and grow enrollment and revenues? Can the same be said for on- and off-campus housing providers?"
 

PEP Continues Expansion Into the Northeast
June 2016
 

Pierce Announces 6th Student Housing Purchase in the Southeast
May 2016
 

2016 Will Be PEP's Biggest Acquisition Volume Yet; Could Be Industry High, Too
| PDF Link | Bisnow | March 2016

"Founder and CEO Fred Pierce told Bisnow  he expected this to be PEP’s biggest year yet, and he's proving that very quickly, with $180M closed or pending already in 2016. He expects his company will purchase in excess of $300M in student housing this year, growing his portfolio by 6,000 beds."
-Dustin Dooling, Bisnow
 

North Carolina Property Near East Carolina University Joins The Growing PEP Portfolio
February 2016
 

PEP Looks to Double Acquisition Pipeline in '16
| PDF Link | Bisnow | January 2016

"Pierce Education Properties just closed on a 756-bed, 216-unit community close to Western Kentucky University and has two properties—valued over $80M—in escrow. The San Diego-based student housing firm plans $200M in acquisitions this year, double what it's done each of the last three years."  -Tonie Auer, Bisnow
 

PEP Purchases Property at Ball State University in Muncie, IN
December 2015
 

Pierce Charges Into 2016 With 4th Acquisition in the SE
December 2015
 

Pierce Expands its Midwest Portfolio with Latest Purchase at ISU
November 2015
 

What's On My Mind - Coming of Age
Student Housing Business Magazine | September 2016

"Nearly two decades after its inception, the niche sector of student housing is finally coming of age - from a capital formation standpoint, that is. This evolution of the industry and its investor base has followed a typical and logical progression to reach where it stands today."  -Fred Pierce, SHB
 

Lifetime Loyalty
SDSU 360 Magazine | July 2015

"Fred Pierce's 30-year commitment to SDSU has never flagged."
-Coleen L. Geraghty, SDSU 360
 

Pierce Acquires Student Housing Community Near GA Tech
December 2014
 

Former Alumni President Fred Pierce Keeps Giving Back
SDSU Alumni Blog

"In this month’s enews is a story about one of the university’s most loyal alumni, Fred Pierce (’88). Fred and his wife Christine have made an extraordinary gift of $2.8 million to San Diego State University, of which $2.5 million is a legacy gift."  -Jim Herrick
 

Entrepreneur Of The Year 2012 Winner: Fred Pierce
San Diego Source | July 2012

George Chamberlin speaks with Fred Pierce, president and CEO of Pierce Education Properties LP, about the honor of being named a 2012 winner of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year program, and how his company has grown over the years.
 

Greek Revival
Student Housing Business | October 2011

"There's a revival of Greek housing at universities across the nation. Here's why."  -Fred Pierce, SHB