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Four premier sun belt student communities now in the hands of Ares and Scion Group
1 September 2026 | Portfolio acquisition | US | 2,316 beds | Operational
The approximately US$435 million purchase adds scale in three university markets where Scion already operates.
Key details
Asset type | Operational |
Location | Athens, Knoxville and San Marcos, US |
Capacity | 2,316 beds |
Seller | SCHENK+ |
Buyer | The Scion Group / Ares Real Estate |
Value | Approximately US$435 million |
Adviser | Inland Real Estate Investment Corporation |
Source: SCHENK+
The portfolio comprises Georgia Heights in Athens, Georgia; Tenn in Knoxville, Tennessee; and The Parlor and Hillside in San Marcos, Texas. SCHENK+ developed three of the communities and acquired and repositioned the fourth, creating a portfolio of modern assets close to the University of Georgia, the University of Tennessee and Texas State University. The properties total 2,316 beds across 1,005 units.
Inland Real Estate Investment Corporation represented SCHENK+ in the transaction.
Strategic context
The acquisition is the second major portfolio purchase by Scion and Ares since May 2026 and extends their partnership in established university markets. Because Scion already operates in Athens, Knoxville and San Marcos, the assets add local density without the integration costs of entering new markets.
The transaction takes Scion's platform to nearly 117,000 beds across 187 communities and reinforces its position as the largest US student housing owner and operator.
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