KTGY GROUP, INC. Selected to Design On-Campus Housing at University of California, Irvine

August 20, 2007 (PRLEAP.COM) Business News
IRVINE, CALIF. - Award winning KTGY GROUP, INC., Architecture and Planning announced today that it has been selected by American Campus Communities, Inc. (NYSE:ACC) to begin the design development of up to 4,000 on-campus beds at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). Austin, Texas-based American Campus Communities, Inc. is one of the nation's largest owners, developers and managers of high-quality student housing.

The multi-phase development project will be located on up to five separate land parcels on the East Campus of UCI. The first phase is expected to commence construction in 2008. Pre-development activities related to the transaction structure, financing, product types, construction phasing and management are also underway. The project will target a silver or higher certification under the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED rating system.

UCI plans to increase housing at its campus, which currently serves approximately 25,000 students, from approximately 10,500 beds to 14,500 beds.

“KTGY is thrilled to be providing UCI and American Campus Communities with high-quality, affordable student housing,” said Dan McAllister, a KTGY principal and lead designer on the project. “KTGY has considerable experience in this arena as well as LEED or Green buildings.”

"We believe these communities will enable UCI to realize our enduring goal of providing exceptional living/learning experiences for our students that are both affordable and green," said Manuel Gomez, UC Irvine vice chancellor, student affairs.

KTGY and American Campus Communities recently completed the Vista del Campo and Vista del Campo Norte projects totaling 3,000 beds on the UCI campus. Together with the new development, the deals represent the single largest public/private partnership in the student housing industry, according to American Campus Communities.

American Campus Communities, Inc. is one of the largest developers, owners and managers of high-quality student housing communities in the United States. The company is a fully integrated, self-managed and self-administered equity real estate investment trust (REIT) with expertise in the design, finance, development, construction management, leasing and management of student housing properties. The company owns and manages a portfolio of 43 high quality student housing communities containing approximately 26,800 beds. Including its owned properties, the company provides management and leasing services at a total of 56 properties, representing approximately 35,600 beds located on or near college and university campuses. Additional information is available at www.americancampuscommunities.com.

KTGY GROUP, INC., Architecture and Planning, was created in 1991, with project viability and client satisfaction as abiding priorities, while providing complete planning and architectural design services for residential communities, retail developments and related specialty projects. In a complex and changing world, the firm consistently delivers innovative solutions that reflect clear understanding of development, marketing and financial performance.

KTGY takes particular pride in its highly motivated and principal led studio teams, who deliver superior services, thus strengthening clients’ long-term growth and earnings objectives. Serving clients throughout the United States, the firm has locations in Irvine, Santa Monica, Oakland and Denver.

For more information, contact Sayeh Rad at (949) 851-2133 or visit www.ktgy.com.

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