Greystar Expands Student Housing Portfolio in France with Acquisition of 1,000 Beds from Catella
Press Release
December 1, 2025
Paris, 1 December 2025 – Greystar, a global leader in the investment, development and management of high-quality rental housing, has acquired from a German fund of Catella Investment Management, locally represented by asset manager BeReal Investment Management, a portfolio of four student housing residences in France. The portfolio comprises 1,091 beds across Evry, Bordeaux, Toulouse, and Labège.
Greystar has managed these residences on behalf of Catella for over thirteen years following the acquisition of the management company Acteva. This extensive experience guarantees continuity of service for residents and equips Greystar with a deep knowledge of the asset to drive further operational performance.
This acquisition further strengthens Greystar’s presence in key university cities at a time when demand for student housing continues to far exceed supply. It follows recent investments in Canvas Living Toulouse Altiplano (400 beds) and Canvas Living Courbevoie (257 beds), forming part of Greystar’s long-term strategy to expand its portfolio of student and young professional housing in France, supported by its strong European platform.
All properties will operate under Canvas, Greystar’s pan-European brand for student and young professional housing launched in 2021. Built on Greystar’s reputation for operational excellence and resident experience, Canvas is expanding rapidly across Europe and now includes 30 assets in seven countries, comprising more than 12,700 beds (including pipeline). The four newly acquired residences will join existing Canvas properties in France - Canvas La Défense (644 beds) and Canvas Paris Ivry (313 beds) - reinforcing the brand’s growing presence across the country.
Thomas Charvet, Managing Director - France, Greystar, said: “France remains one of Europe’s most dynamic student housing markets, underpinned by persistent demand and constrained supply. Over the past two years, we’ve established a strong foothold with nearly 2,800 beds acquired and a rapidly growing Canvas brand that’s setting new standards for quality and resident experience.
“Our transaction builds on a trusted long-term partnership and accelerates our strategy to expand across key university cities. With the expertise of our local teams and the strength of Greystar’s global platform, we’re well positioned to scale further and deliver best-in-class housing solutions for students and young professionals throughout France.”
Laurent Chaillou, Senior Director – Operations, France and former President of Acteva, added: “After managing these assets for 13 years, our teams have an exceptional understanding of their operations and potential. This insight forms the basis for the next phase of value creation. Our operational platform is among the most sophisticated globally, managing more than one million rental homes and enabling our institutional partners to achieve strong, sustainable performance. That combination of local expertise and global scale makes us the partner of choice for investors seeking to elevate operational standards and resident experience.”
Michael Keune, Managing Director of Catella Investment Management, emphasizes: “We are delighted that the properties will remain in familiar and capable hands now that we have completed our investment cycle with these assets. With Greystar, our previous local partner is applying its own branding to the properties and continuing to grow in France. It is clear to us and to the market that demand for this product remains strong, and we are happy to invest in student accommodation furthermore in the future.”
Greystar will launch a strategic investment programme across the portfolio, including the modernisation of common areas, the creation of new shared spaces such as coworking, fitness, and leisure areas, the enhancement of outdoor spaces, and the renewal of furniture in all bedrooms. The programme also targets improvements in energy performance and sustainability, reinforcing Greystar’s commitment to quality, resident experience, and long-term value creation.
Greystar has managed these residences on behalf of Catella for over thirteen years following the acquisition of the management company Acteva. This extensive experience guarantees continuity of service for residents and equips Greystar with a deep knowledge of the asset to drive further operational performance.
This acquisition further strengthens Greystar’s presence in key university cities at a time when demand for student housing continues to far exceed supply. It follows recent investments in Canvas Living Toulouse Altiplano (400 beds) and Canvas Living Courbevoie (257 beds), forming part of Greystar’s long-term strategy to expand its portfolio of student and young professional housing in France, supported by its strong European platform.
All properties will operate under Canvas, Greystar’s pan-European brand for student and young professional housing launched in 2021. Built on Greystar’s reputation for operational excellence and resident experience, Canvas is expanding rapidly across Europe and now includes 30 assets in seven countries, comprising more than 12,700 beds (including pipeline). The four newly acquired residences will join existing Canvas properties in France - Canvas La Défense (644 beds) and Canvas Paris Ivry (313 beds) - reinforcing the brand’s growing presence across the country.
Thomas Charvet, Managing Director - France, Greystar, said: “France remains one of Europe’s most dynamic student housing markets, underpinned by persistent demand and constrained supply. Over the past two years, we’ve established a strong foothold with nearly 2,800 beds acquired and a rapidly growing Canvas brand that’s setting new standards for quality and resident experience.
“Our transaction builds on a trusted long-term partnership and accelerates our strategy to expand across key university cities. With the expertise of our local teams and the strength of Greystar’s global platform, we’re well positioned to scale further and deliver best-in-class housing solutions for students and young professionals throughout France.”
Laurent Chaillou, Senior Director – Operations, France and former President of Acteva, added: “After managing these assets for 13 years, our teams have an exceptional understanding of their operations and potential. This insight forms the basis for the next phase of value creation. Our operational platform is among the most sophisticated globally, managing more than one million rental homes and enabling our institutional partners to achieve strong, sustainable performance. That combination of local expertise and global scale makes us the partner of choice for investors seeking to elevate operational standards and resident experience.”
Michael Keune, Managing Director of Catella Investment Management, emphasizes: “We are delighted that the properties will remain in familiar and capable hands now that we have completed our investment cycle with these assets. With Greystar, our previous local partner is applying its own branding to the properties and continuing to grow in France. It is clear to us and to the market that demand for this product remains strong, and we are happy to invest in student accommodation furthermore in the future.”
Greystar will launch a strategic investment programme across the portfolio, including the modernisation of common areas, the creation of new shared spaces such as coworking, fitness, and leisure areas, the enhancement of outdoor spaces, and the renewal of furniture in all bedrooms. The programme also targets improvements in energy performance and sustainability, reinforcing Greystar’s commitment to quality, resident experience, and long-term value creation.