Harrison Street Real Estate Capital has teamed up with French developer and operator HPC for a French student housing drive.

The joint venture will develop a portfolio of branded, high-end student apartment blocks in major French university cities.

The Chicago-based investment manager, which has specialised in student housing in the US and opened a London office in 2015, said assets will be developed by HPC’s Oceanis Promotion subsidiary.

Around 10,000 beds are being targeted for delivery over the next five years.

Daniel Gorzawski, head of Europe of Harrison Street said: “France has a large and growing student population and is one of the most attractive, dynamic markets for higher education in Europe.”

A first scheme, ECLA Paris, will serve students at the University of Paris-Saclay Campus and consist of 1,200 beds. The project is expected to be delivered in 2018.