Cottage-Style Student Housing Faces Rising Costs, Resident Expectations

“While cottage product is generally slightly further from campus and entertainment areas, the product type offers students the most comparable living quality while also providing larger amenity sets than pedestrian mid- and high-rise communities,” explains Nate Nearhood, director of investments and student housing platform lead at Monument Square Investment Group (MSIG). “They offer more space, privacy and a residential feel that today’s students are actively seeking, especially post-COVID. From an investor’s standpoint, it delivers a compelling rent point — especially on a per-square-foot basis — and durable demand.”