Collegiate Europe: Building Europe's Next Generation of Student Housing

Welcome back to Reinventing Real Estate. In this episode, hosts Jenna and Jamie Harris sit down with Eri Cuanalo, CEO and Chairman of Collegiate Europe, one of the most influential figures in European purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA). Having worked across over 500 diverse projects across PBSA, Co-living and PRS, throughout his career, Eri has spent over two decades setting new industry standards for design, service, quality, amenities and innovation. From pioneering PBSA in the UK to developing some of Europe's most innovative student living schemes, such as Collegiate’s “resort-style” living philosophy, Eri explains how larger-scale schemes can become destinations in their own right, attracting students through exceptional amenities, community and design rather than simply proximity to campus. He also shares the lessons, setbacks and breakthroughs that have shaped Collegiate Europe's success. The conversation explores why student accommodation should be designed around human experience rather than historical assumptions, how hospitality principles are transforming the living sector, and why Europe’s historic university cities present one of the most compelling investment opportunities in real estate today. For investors and developers looking at the future of European living sectors, this episode offers a masterclass in creating long-term competitive advantage through innovation, customer understanding and operational excellence. Topics covered: Why students are the most misunderstood consumer group in real estate The evolution of European PBSA and where the biggest opportunities lie The power of hospitality-led design and "resort-style" student living The role of community, wellbeing and experience in resident retention How to identify resilient university cities for long-term investment Stay up to date: Subscribe now to stay updated on upcoming episodes. For more insights, follow Harris Associates on LinkedIn and Instagram: LinkedIn: ⁠  / harrisassociates   ⁠- Instagram: ⁠  / harrisassociates⁠   Watch on Reinventing: Video Originals, in partnership with BTR News and PBSA News: BTR News: https://btrnews.co.uk/videos PBSA News: https://pbsanews.co.uk/videos Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or watch on YouTube: Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0GsHLIJ... This episode was pre-recorded in August 2026. Consequently, certain discussions regarding market conditions and interest rates may no longer reflect current circumstances. We appreciate your understanding.