Microliving specialist International Campus (IC) plans to invest €1 bn over the next three years in additional microapartments under the Fizz and HNVS brands as the microliving sector combined with a community offer proved its resilience during the pandemic.
‘Students are desperately searching for apartments everywhere. The tremendous shortage of supply in Germany canonly be remedied if the Studentenwerk and the private sector work together. Weare interested in plots and existing buildings in class A and B cities, inorder to create more living space for the 2.9 million students across Germany,’ commented CEO Rainer Nonnengässer.
IC is targeting projects in major cities like Hamburg and Berlin,but also in smaller cities with popular universities in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. 'Corona-related travel restrictions andonline events at universities are currently leaving some student apartments vacant. Nonetheless, occupancy rates remain high and one thing is also certain:the pandemic will pass. As control over the virus increases, face-to-facecourses will also return. We are planning for the long term and firmly believe that the number of national and international students in Germany will continue to rise,' added Nonnengässer.
The company - which is majority owned by Canadian asset manager Brookfield - currently operates thirteen student residences under the Fizz brand in Germany,Austria, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic.