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Recorded live on the sidelines of the Southwest Ontario Real Estate Forum, this episode of the Commercial Real Estate Podcast has hosts Aaron Cameron and Adam Powadiuk welcoming Kelsey Boland, Senior Director of Investments at Fitzrovia, to discuss his company’s bold move into purpose-built student housing. Kelsey outlines how Fitzrovia is redefining the student rental experience with amenity-rich, fully furnished units designed for year-round living. 

He explains the strategy behind the Waverly brand, the decision to prioritise entertainment districts over campus proximity, and why institutional-grade student housing is a major growth opportunity in markets like London, Kingston, and potentially Quebec. Discover how Fitzrovia is raising the bar for student living in Canada.

What you will learn:

• How Fitzrovia is transforming student housing to premium, amenity-rich living spaces
• Why purpose-built student rentals represent an untapped institutional opportunity 
• The strategic approach to selecting student housing locations
• How Fitzrovia’s signature amenities are being adapted for student-focused properties
• Why the 300-400 unit sweet spot is optimal for student housing development 
• The evolution of student housing from London to broader Canadian markets
• Why fully-furnished units and 12-month leases are becoming the new standard 
• How a partnership with universities creates sustainable student communities
• The importance of market-specific development strategies
• Why parent guarantors and institutional management are reshaping the student housing experience

Kelsey Boland is the Senior Director of Investments at Fitzrovia, specializing in student housing and multi-residential development. With a background in asset management and real estate investment, including notable roles at Slate Asset Management and CI Financial, he brings extensive experience in portfolio management and strategic acquisitions. His career highlights include managing over $1.14 billion in office assets across Canada and transitioning into the purpose-built student housing sector. At Fitzrovia, Kelsey leads the company’s expansion into institutional student-oriented housing developments across Southern Ontario markets, focusing on creating premium, amenity-rich residential experiences in key university cities like London, Kingston, and Guelph. 

The post From Dorms to Destination Living: The Student Housing Shift with Kelsey Boland, Senior Director of Investment at Fitzrovia appeared first on Commercial Real Estate Podcast.