Tampa-based Society Hill Capital and the Liberty Group are investing in three student housing developments valued at more than $300 million near the University of Florida, Florida State University and the University of Tennessee. The projects will add 1,681 beds, extending a partnership that previously backed a fully leased community near FSU.
Key takeaways
Society Hill and Liberty are returning to student housing after an earlier FSU investment reached full occupancy and was sold. Their new commitments cover projects in Gainesville, Tallahassee and Knoxville, with development led by 908 Group and Batson-Cook Development Company.
- The portfolio includes 1,681 beds across three university markets.
- The FSU project is scheduled for 2027; the UF and Tennessee developments are slated for 2029.
- Liberty is investing co-general-partner equity alongside the development team.
Three developments span Florida and Tennessee
The planned projects are the 129-unit, 511-bed Chapter House near Florida State University; the 219-unit, 684-bed Chapter House in Gainesville near the University of Florida; and the 116-unit, 486-bed Nine near the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. The Tallahassee development is scheduled to open in 2027, while the Gainesville and Knoxville projects are planned for 2029.
The developments follow Liberty’s investment in Statehouse Gaines, a 693-bed community near FSU developed by 908 Group. That property opened fully leased and was sold in 2025. The new portfolio adds 1,681 beds across three markets.
Repeat partnership underpins investment strategy
Liberty is supplying co-GP equity, a form of investment made alongside a developer’s capital. According to the source report, this equity absorbs losses before the broader pool of limited-partner equity and may provide investors with greater participation if a development succeeds.
Society Hill, a Tampa-based investor, backs projects through funds and co-GP investments. Founder Justin Wilson said the firm’s strategy centers on purpose-built student housing near Power Four universities, where walkable housing can be difficult to entitle and build. He described Liberty’s decision to reinvest as a vote of confidence following the partners’ earlier project.
Liberty CEO Punit Shah said the family office considers the relationships behind investments as well as individual deals. The group oversees more than $1.5 billion in investments, according to the report, and Shah said his family plans to continue investing alongside Society Hill and 908 Group in the three university markets.
Focus on housing close to campus
The projects reflect investor interest in student housing near large universities, where proximity to campus is a central feature of the developments. Society Hill’s stated approach favors a small number of campus-adjacent sites and long-term partnerships over pursuing a larger volume of projects.
- Tampa Firm Invests in $300 Million Student Housing Portfolio, Tampa Bay Business and Wealth.