CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) — Real estate developer and investment manager Core Spaces announced plans Tuesday to add more than 3,500 student housing beds in Champaign through three new developments scheduled for completion between 2028 and 2031.
The expansion will significantly increase the company’s footprint near University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and build on projects the firm has already completed or acquired in the community.
Core’s founders — Marc Lifshin, Barry Howard and Brian Neiswender — are all University of Illinois alumni and have longstanding ties to Champaign.
The company first entered the local market in 2020 with the development of The Dean, formerly known as Hub Champaign. It followed that project with Hub Champaign Daniel in 2021 and expanded its local holdings in 2025 through the acquisition of several properties along Green Street.
One of the largest upcoming projects is Hub Champaign Green Street, a 490-unit, 1,577-bed student housing development currently under construction on the south side of Green Street between Second and Third streets. Construction began in fall 2025, and the development is expected to open in summer 2028 ahead of the 2028-29 academic year.
Company officials said additional developments are planned along the Green Street corridor, ultimately bringing the total number of new beds to more than 3,500 by 2031.
Lifshin said the company had been acquiring properties in anticipation of a larger expansion effort near its founders’ alma mater.
Neiswender said the scale of the projects will help reduce development costs per square foot, which he said could allow the company to offer lower rents than would be possible with smaller standalone developments. He also cited recent decisions by the state property tax appeal board as helping make the investment feasible.
According to Core, each development will be located near both the university campus and downtown Champaign and will feature amenities designed specifically for student residents.