Why Universities?

My goals are modest: to write about real estate projects that I find interesting on or near college campuses. I might throw in some details on management of real estate on college campuses and other items that catch my eye.

I've worked for university systems in a real estate administrative capacity for the past 10 years, and noticed that this segment has largely operated below the radar. Real estate companies consider universities "another client", and often lack understanding of the motivations and goals of universities in their desire to acquire, dispose or lease real estate. University administration think about it in the context of building projects exclusively -- no objection there -- but probably less than they should. The public (if they think about it at all) mostly care about the cost of tuition when their children attend college and "why are they spending so much on buildings!" when I have to pay so much!

University real estate is what creates the "brand" of a university. The quad, the union, the residence halls, the stadium, the neighborhoods. Real estate creates the ambiance. Sets the mood. Creates the environment that students learn in and -- as alum -- often cherish.