BAI Capital and Adam America Partner on $100M Gainesville Student Housing Tower

Key Points

• 504 beds planned in the first student housing tower, part of a 559-bed luxury mixed-use development

• Estimated $100M cost with retail, structured parking, and amenities, targeting a 2028 delivery

• Walkable to University of Florida, tapping into Gainesville’s 14,000-bed student housing shortfall

Two major players in student housing are teaming up to reshape the University of Florida’s south campus area. BAI Capital and Adam America Real Estate (AARE) have announced a joint venture to develop the largest building within Archer Place — an ambitious mixed-use project addressing significant student housing demand in Gainesville, Florida, home of the University of Florida.

Who’s Behind the Project

• BAI Capital: A boutique real estate investment firm based in Aventura, Florida, with a global footprint and deep expertise in student housing, mixed-use, and EB-5 funded projects.

• Adam America Real Estate (AARE): A prominent multifamily and student housing developer with $2.8 billion in active projects and more than 2,000 student housing beds delivered in the last two years.

• This is the first joint venture between BAI and AARE, with plans for future collaborations.

Project Scope and Timeline

• The new building will add 504 student beds, retail space, a 304-space parking garage, and luxury amenities.

• Archer Place’s total master plan includes 559 beds of Class A student housing, luxury condominiums, and over 15,000 square feet of retail.

• The estimated construction cost for the student tower alone is around $100 million.

• All permits and approvals are secured, and construction is underway. The student housing portion is planned to open by August 2027, aligning with the start of the University of Florida’s academic year.

Why This Matters

• High Demand: The University of Florida enrolls more than 69,000 students. A third-party study shows Gainesville has an unmet demand of over 14,000 student beds. Archer Place’s new beds will meet less than 0.5% of that shortfall, indicating strong pre-leasing potential.

• Prime Location: Located less than a mile from campus, Archer Place offers walkable housing — a key factor in attracting students and ensuring high occupancy.

• Mixed-Use Upside: In addition to student housing, Archer Place’s luxury condos (92 units) are targeting post-grads and local professionals. For investors, this diversification spreads risk and taps multiple revenue streams.

• Resilient Sector: Nationwide, student housing remains one of the strongest-performing real estate sectors, with average occupancy rates above 92% even during downturns. Investors see student housing as a defensive play, with steady demand in college towns like Gainesville.

Capturing Enduring Demand

“This partnership combines Adam America’s impressive development track record and expertise in student housing development with our global capital capabilities and deep understanding of the student housing sector,” said Arturo Venti, CEO at BAI Capital. “We’re excited to launch a project that meets the real demand in one of the fastest-growing student markets in the country.” 

With a robust market, proven development teams, and a strategic location next to one of the largest universities in the country, Archer Place positions BAI Capital and Adam America to capture durable demand and strong returns. For brokers and landlords, this project is a signal that institutional players continue to bet big on student housing in underserved markets.