Over 30 years' experience in student housing.
Our leadership team has dedicated itself to transforming student housing into today’s institutional-grade real estate sector.
GSA’s founder, Nicholas Porter, is a pioneer in the student housing sector and is known for his innovative approach.
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GSA was established in 2013 and has evolved to become a leading investment specialist focusing on real estate asset management in the student housing sector. The Company is active in nine countries with a presence in 70 of the world’s leading educational cities.
GSA provides investors with a platform to gain exposure to a resilient sector that aligns to the demands of students and is underpinned by the growth in demographics and higher education.
Our corporate history provides further details of GSA’s leadership journey, breadth of experience and expansion over the last 30 years.
GSA is part of The Dot Group, a unique family of market leading businesses that specialize in global student living.
With three decades of experience at the forefront of global student living, we’ve seen education prevail through economic cycles. With proven stability and resilience, demand continues to grow along with the student population.
Dot combines entrepreneurial spirit with unmatched experience and intelligence to make the most of every opportunity. As a member of the Dot family, GSA is empowered to make a tangible difference and capture opportunities to invest in global student living like no one else.
Nicholas Porter
CEO, The Dot Group
The Dot family is comprised of GSA, Yugo, Student.com, and Kinetic Capital. Together, they operate in more than 180 leading educational cities across 30 countries.
Corporate history
Our corporate history and leadership journey over the last 30 years.
Launch of The Dot Group
- GSA launches JV with Morgan Stanley and acquires second US portfolio of over 8,100 beds.
- Nicholas Porter launches Yugo through the merger of the operational brands that were all previously under GSA.
- GSA enters the US market through acquisition of 27 operational assets across 19 cities.
- GSA opens its first residence in Melbourne.
- GSA introduces its market-leading wellbeing programme.
- GSA acquires the Spanish student housing portfolio Nexo Residencias.
- GSA enters Germany through acquisition of the Head Quarter portfolio.
- GSA acquires The Student Housing Company, adding 18 assets to its UK portfolio.
- The Coral Student Portfolio Fund is fully acquired and rebranded to GSA Coral.
- GSA enters Beijing to develop and manage Schwarzman College and residence.
- GSA enters the UK through acquisition of the University Capital Trust portfolio.
- Nicholas Porter sells stake in Urbanest.
- GSA enters Japan and is active in Dubai, Dublin and Hong Kong.
- GSA is established – a global integrated developer, operator and investment manager.
- Urbanest is launched in the UK.
- Nicholas Porter steps down as Chair of The UNITE Group to focus on global expansion.
- Nicholas Porter goes international and creates Urbanest in Australia, focusing on development-led growth.
- The UNITE UK Student Accommodation Fund (USAF) is formed, creating Europe’s largest unlisted specialised student housing investment vehicle.
- The UNITE Group lists on the London Stock Exchange.
Nicholas Porter founds The UNITE Group.