by Brianna Crandall — July 18, 2016 — As colleges and universities continue to address the challenges of cost control, deferred maintenance, student attraction and retention, access to private sector capital, and best practices, many are turning to their campus real estate to optimize its value. Global professional real estate services and investment management firm JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle) has formed a center of excellence in higher education real estate advisory to help educational institutions realize the potential of their real estate.
The move formalizes JLL’s ongoing work in the education sector. The firm has a long history of working with public and private colleges and universities across the United States and abroad. It has completed more than 1,000 projects for institutions such as Ohio State University, University of California, Georgia Board of Regents and Harvard University.
JLL appointed David Houck, a veteran JLL managing director, to co-lead its new Higher Education group in collaboration with Kevin Wayer, co-president of JLL’s Public Institutions group. They will lead a team of professionals with expertise in helping organizations reduce costs, improve their financial strength, elevate their competitive position, manage risk and improve the overall student experience.
Over his 25-year career, Houck has led large, complex tenant representation engagements and has provided real estate advisory, project management and transaction services for major profit and non-profit organizations.
A 24-year JLL veteran, Kevin Wayer co-founded JLL’s Public Institutions group to provide real estate strategy, planning and execution services to public sector clients worldwide, including public colleges and universities. He has led development and transaction teams for complex engagements with more than 200 government and higher education institutions across the United States and abroad.
With productivity demands and cost control driving many industries, JLL not only provides a broad range of real estate services, but also is driving efficiency through its technology expertise. The firm recently entered into an agreement to acquire BRG [see FMLink article], a recognized expert in workplace technology consulting, technology implementation, and space and move management services.
“Our experts who specialize in higher education real estate can now provide sophisticated technology solutions that help our clients to be more efficient and productive,” said David Houck. “This could be in their workplace management, sustainability goals, building operations or real estate portfolio management.”
JLL’s Higher Education practice will continue providing a broad range of services encompassing: brokerage, project and development management, sustainability solutions, public-private partnerships, facilities management, and master planning. JLL’s expertise includes student housing, athletic stadiums, gateway and innovation projects, science and research facilities, parking garages, continuing education, hospitals and international campuses.
