Poland StudentSpace starts in Kraków

The company has secured two prime plots in Kraków for the development of two dormitories accommodating over 1,200 students. Looking ahead, StudentSpace plans to launch projects in Warsaw, with construction expected to begin next year. These are the first investments by StudentSpace, which aims to build 5,000 beds over the next three to five years.

The first location on ul. Wita Stwosza in Kraków will feature one dormitory accommodating around 600 students. The dormitory will be part of the larger development, which includes both office and residential spaces by Echo Investment and Archicom.

The second plot, situated at Al. 29 Listopada, will see the construction of a building housing for 630 students.

Poland is home to 359 universities and other higher education institutions, with a student body exceeding 1.2 mln, including over 105,000 international students. A significant issue for students in Polish cities is the limited availability of private-operated housing and poor quality of university-operated housing. The strength of the PBSA sector is driven by not only by growing number of international students, but also elevated expectations from the domestic sector.
Nebil Senman, Co-Owner and Managing Partner at Griffin Capital Partners

Echo Investment will be the developer of both Kraków projects. The company has already obtained building permits, and the development process has started, with the buildings expected to be completed ahead of the 2025/2026 academic year.

Building on our success in the PRS sector, we are now entering the expanding PBSA market in Poland. We plan to develop modern dormitories featuring a variety of amenities, including spacious rooms, communal kitchens, study areas, recreational spaces, and gyms. Our projects will also incorporate eco-friendly solutions such as solar panels and energy management systems, meeting the needs of both residents and investors. Our goal is to create environments that foster learning and social integration, catering to the growing demands of fast-developing academic cities.
Rafał Mazurczak, COO at Echo Investment

StudentSpace's investments extend beyond Kraków, with active projects already underway in Warsaw. One of them will be located in Mokotów district. StudentSpace aims to make this new development available to students by October 2026.