OUR STORY
Our Origin Story
Has Humble Beginnings
Founded in 2005, our partners, two of whom were working as corporate airline pilots, identified a real estate trend taking hold in the southeastern United States: purpose-built student housing. These residential properties were rich in both amenities and community appeal—and were not yet apparent in the upper midwest. An investment strategy was pioneered that focused on bringing purpose-built student housing to southern Minnesota and beyond.
Tailwind Group was created in 2005 by its four founding partners: Kyle Smith, Reggie Reed, Michael Sather, and Landon Smith. Their first ten years in development and operations were focused in Mankato, MN—where the corporate headquarters remain today. During that time, a portfolio of student rentals was built through acquisition of single-family homes, duplexes, and small apartment complexes. In 2010, Tailwind Group developed and constructed its first purpose-built student housing project—College Town Mankato. This $20 million, 456-bedroom project was the first of its kind for Minnesota State University students, offering cottage style homes, private bedrooms and bathrooms, high-end finishes, outdoor pool, indoor hot tub, workout facility, free tanning, and common area study space. This development was a launching point of future growth and development for Tailwind Group in the student housing sector.
Our Origin Story
Has Humble Beginnings
Founded in 2005, our partners, two of whom were working as corporate airline pilots, identified a real estate trend taking hold in the southeastern United States: purpose-built student housing. These residential properties were rich in both amenities and community appeal—and were not yet apparent in the upper midwest. An investment strategy was pioneered that focused on bringing purpose-built student housing to southern Minnesota and beyond.
Tailwind Group was created in 2005 by its four founding partners: Kyle Smith, Reggie Reed, Michael Sather, and Landon Smith. Their first ten years in development and operations were focused in Mankato, MN—where the corporate headquarters remain today. During that time, a portfolio of student rentals was built through acquisition of single-family homes, duplexes, and small apartment complexes. In 2010, Tailwind Group developed and constructed its first purpose-built student housing project—College Town Mankato. This $20 million, 456-bedroom project was the first of its kind for Minnesota State University students, offering cottage style homes, private bedrooms and bathrooms, high-end finishes, outdoor pool, indoor hot tub, workout facility, free tanning, and common area study space. This development was a launching point of future growth and development for Tailwind Group in the student housing sector.
Headquartered in Minnesota
BUT OUR PORTFOLIO REACHES NATIONWIDE
After 2015, the Tailwind Group portfolio began to expand outside of southern Minnesota. The first three outstate projects were an acquisition in Cedar Falls, IA (University of Northern Iowa), a major renovation project in East Lansing, MI (Michigan State University), and a new construction project in Iowa City, IA (University of Iowa). Upon completion of these projects, Tailwind Group expanded its student housing portfolio into major markets such as Tuscaloosa, AL (University of Alabama), Bloomington, IN (Indiana University), Columbus, OH (Ohio State University), West Lafayette, IN (Purdue University), and Ames, IA (Iowa State University) between 2016-2019. This growth saw its managed bedroom count grow to nearly 8,000 and its team members grow from 30 to more than 100.
In 2020 and 2021, Tailwind Group’s growth and expansion remained rapid. As the team continued to grow, so did the capacity to capitalize on more opportunities. In 2021, a student housing portfolio of six properties and nearly 4,200 bedrooms was acquired. This portfolio purchase lengthened our geographic reach and further solidified our presence in tier one college markets. The portfolio included assets in Columbia, MO (University of Missouri), Oxford, MS (University of Mississippi), Stillwater, OK (Oklahoma State University), Tallahassee, FL (Florida State University), and Miami, FL (Florida International University). This growth saw the managed bedroom count exceed 12,000 and the growth of our internal team had reached over 200. At the end of 2021, Tailwind Group was named a Top 25 Owner and Manager of student housing by the Student Housing Business Magazine.
From 2022 to present day, momentum has stayed strong. Through various strategic dispositions and sourcing of new capital partners, Tailwind Group continues to expand both its student housing and commercial portfolio. Student housing projects include acquisitions and development in markets such as Lincoln, NE (University of Nebraska-Lincoln), College Station, TX (Texas A&M University), Fayetteville, AR (University of Arkansas), and Baton Rouge, LA (Louisiana State University). Commercial projects include a full redevelopment of College Street in Iowa City, IA – boasting new bars and restaurants, performing arts, clothing, and office users and the purchase of Mankato Heights Plaza – a stabilized shopping center with anchor tenants such as TJ Maxx, Old Navy, Ulta Beauty, GNC, Dollar Tree, and Victoria’s Secret.
Looking forward, Tailwind Group will continue to be opportunity-driven in its growth of its real estate portfolio. With their nearly 300 team members and refusal to be outhustled, all signs point to a rewarding future.
Headquartered in Minnesota
BUT OUR PORTFOLIO REACHES NATIONWIDE
After 2015, the Tailwind Group portfolio began to expand outside of southern Minnesota. The first three outstate projects were an acquisition in Cedar Falls, IA (University of Northern Iowa), a major renovation project in East Lansing, MI (Michigan State University), and a new construction project in Iowa City, IA (University of Iowa). Upon completion of these projects, Tailwind Group expanded its student housing portfolio into major markets such as Tuscaloosa, AL (University of Alabama), Bloomington, IN (Indiana University), Columbus, OH (Ohio State University), West Lafayette, IN (Purdue University), and Ames, IA (Iowa State University) between 2016-2019. This growth saw its managed bedroom count grow to nearly 8,000 and its team members grow from 30 to more than 100.
In 2020 and 2021, Tailwind Group’s growth and expansion remained rapid. As the team continued to grow, so did the capacity to capitalize on more opportunities. In 2021, a student housing portfolio of six properties and nearly 4,200 bedrooms was acquired. This portfolio purchase lengthened our geographic reach and further solidified our presence in tier one college markets. The portfolio included assets in Columbia, MO (University of Missouri), Oxford, MS (University of Mississippi), Stillwater, OK (Oklahoma State University), Tallahassee, FL (Florida State University), and Miami, FL (Florida International University). This growth saw the managed bedroom count exceed 12,000 and the growth of our internal team had reached over 200. At the end of 2021, Tailwind Group was named a Top 25 Owner and Manager of student housing by the Student Housing Business Magazine.
From 2022 to present day, momentum has stayed strong. Through various strategic dispositions and sourcing of new capital partners, Tailwind Group continues to expand both its student housing and commercial portfolio. Student housing projects include acquisitions and development in markets such as Lincoln, NE (University of Nebraska-Lincoln), College Station, TX (Texas A&M University), Fayetteville, AR (University of Arkansas), and Baton Rouge, LA (Louisiana State University). Commercial projects include a full redevelopment of College Street in Iowa City, IA – boasting new bars and restaurants, performing arts, clothing, and office users and the purchase of Mankato Heights Plaza – a stabilized shopping center with anchor tenants such as TJ Maxx, Old Navy, Ulta Beauty, GNC, Dollar Tree, and Victoria’s Secret.
Looking forward, Tailwind Group will continue to be opportunity-driven in its growth of its real estate portfolio. With their nearly 300 team members and refusal to be outhustled, all signs point to a rewarding future.
2005
Tailwind Group is Established
Kyle Smith, Reggie Reed, Michael Sather, and Landon Smith come together to establish Tailwind Group’s leadership team.
2008 – 2015
Growth in Southern MN Portfolio
2008 – Acquires, renovates, and rebrands College Station at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
2010 – Develops and constructs College Town at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
2014 – Full city block redevelopment in the heart of downtown Mankato. This project included a 7-story, Class A office building branded Profinium Place; a 5-story, Class A office building branded Ridley Tower; and a 5-story, mixed use building branded Block 518.
2015 – Launches its flagship “Quarters” student housing brand with the development and construction of The Quarters at Mankato.
2015 – Completes a redevelopment project in Iowa City, IA—The Quarters at Iowa City.
2016 – 2019
multiple acquisitions
2016 – Acquires University Mills in Cedar Falls, IA and rebrands to The Quarters at Cedar Falls.
2017 – Acquires Ville Montee in East Lansing, MI and rebranded to The Quarters at East Lansing.
2018 – Continues to expand its student housing portfolio by acquiring, developing, or rehabbing properties in Ames, IA; Columbus, OH; Laramie, WY; West Lafayette, IN; and Bloomington, IN.
2019 – Acquires a student housing property, The Grand at Rum Creek in Tuscaloosa, AL, the first property outside of the midwest.
2019 – Completes construction on a 169 unit student housing property, The Quarters at Vermillion, in Vermillion, SD.
2019 – Develops and constructs two buildings for PrairieCare Medical Group. The locations in Mankato, MN and Rochester, MN total 62,000 square feet and brought our total commercial square footage to 480,000.
2020 – 2021
multiple student housing acquisitions
2020 – Acquires a student housing property, Progress405, in Stillwater, Oklahoma and rebrands to The Quarters at Stillwater shortly after acquisition.
2021 – Acquires The Reserve at Columbia, a 676-bedroom community that caters to University of Missouri students. Upon acquisition, the property was rebranded to The Quarters at Columbia and started undergoing extensive renovations.
2021 – Acquires The Retreat at Oxford, a 1,018-bedroom cottage community located minutes from University of Mississippi in Oxford, MS. Upon acquisition, the property was rebranded to College Town at Oxford and had a multi-million-dollar clubhouse and amenity renovation that was complete in November 2021.
2021 – Acquires The Reserve on Perkins (Stillwater, OK), a 732-bedroom garden style complex that serves Oklahoma State University and the surrounding community.
2021 – Acquires The Players Club (Tallahassee, FL), a 592-bedroom complex that is just minutes from Florida State University. The Players Club was rebranded to The Quarters at Tallahassee upon acquisition.
2021 – Acquires Campus Creek in Oxford, Mississippi, a 636-bedroom complex located just minutes from the University of Mississippi. Campus Creek was rebranded to The Quarters at Oxford upon acquisition.
2021 – Acquires 109 Tower, a 16-story apartment building located just steps from Florida International University. Major capital improvements to amenities and common areas began in the spring of 2022.
2022 – Present
various acquisitions
2022 – Acquires South Duff Apartments, a 490-bedroom, garden-style community located adjacent to Iowa State University. It will join The Quarters Ames as the second property owned and managed by Tailwind Group in the Iowa State market.
2022 – Acquires The View, a 590-bedroom, garden-style community located near the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. It will join LivRed as the second property owned and managed by Tailwind Group in the Nebraska market. Rebrands the property to The Quarters Lincoln.
2022 – Acquires Campus Crossings on Marion Pugh, a 628-bedroom student housing property located just minutes from Texas A&M University. Significant capital improvements started soon after acquisition along with a major rebrand of the property to The Landing College Station.
2023 – Acquires Spectrum Apartments in Fayetteville, Arkansas. This 504-bedroom complex is just minutes from the University of Arkansas. Rebrands the property to The Landing Fayetteville.
2023 – Acquires The Sterling (Baton Rouge, Louisiana), a 340-bedroom student housing property located near Louisiana State University. Rebrands the property to Altitude Baton Rouge and renovates the clubhouse in June 2024.
2023 – Acquires two properties: Legends Place Apartments, a 632-bedroom, garden style community located near the University of Kansas and Aspen Heights, a 327-bedroom complex that sits right next to the Wichita State University campus. Aspen Heights was rebranded upon acquisition to Altitude at Wichita. Legends Place was rebranded a couple months later and had major capital improvements completed in 2024.
2023 – Acquires Ozark Villas, a 213-unit, 670-bedroom property in Fayetteville, AR. Upon closing, the property was rebranded to College Town Fayetteville. Tailwind Group started major exterior renovations soon after closing.
2024 – Acquires 3949 Apartments, a 197-unit, 256-bedroom property in St. Louis, MO. Upon closing, the property was rebranded to The Landing at St. Louis and plans to renovate the leasing office, amenity spaces, and various common areas throughout the building were started soon after.
2024 – Acquires The Reserve on West 31st, a 192-unit, 720-bedroom property in Lawrence, KS near University of Kansas. The property will undergo extensive renovations and will also be re-branded in the fall of 2024.
2024 – Acquires The Gramercy, a 228-unit, 700-bedroom property in Manhattan, KS and is located right across the street from historic Bill Synder Family Stadium near Kansas State University’s campus. The property will undergo renovations and will be re-branded in the fall of 2024.
2024 – Acquires Campus Trails, a 156-unit, 480-bedroom property in Starkville, MS. The property is located right across the street from Mississippi State University’s campus and will undergo renovations and will be re-branded in the fall of 2024.
