Student-Housing Developer Lists Chicago Lincoln Park Mansion

The founder of one of the nation’s largest student housing developers is looking to cash out of Chicago’s Lincoln Park.

Scion Group CEO Rob Bronstein and his wife, Rosellene, listed a 9,200-square-foot mansion at 1878 North Orchard Street for $8.79 million, Crain’s reported. It’s one of the priciest homes on the market in the neighborhood, asking $955 per square foot.

The Bronsteins built the home in 2018 on a lot they bought the year prior, according to Cook County records. Susan Miner of Premier Relocation has the listing.

Scion operates more than 92,000 student housing beds in 82 markets nationwide, generating over $1 billion in annual revenue, according to the firm’s website.

Its breakout moment came in 2004 with University Center, the 1,700-bed student tower in the South Loop developed in partnership with Columbia College and DePaul and Roosevelt universities. Crain’s called Bronstein “the dean of dormitories” in 2011 for his role in reshaping the student housing landscape.

The six-bedroom, brick-and-limestone Lincoln Park house features a plunge pool and three laundry rooms. The top floor offers skyline views.

The home’s $8.79 million asking price places it just behind two other high-end listings in the area: a $9.45 million home on Burling Street and another just under $10 million on Kenmore Avenue. It’s among the most expensive homes listed in Lincoln Park this year. Two homes in the neighborhood fetched $14 million or more last year. A home a few blocks north sold for $6.7 million earlier this year.

Another Lincoln Park home, at 2043 North Clifton Avenue, hit the market last month asking $7.2 million, or $918 per square foot. The asking price is $1.7 million over its March 2022 sales price, reflecting price growth in the neighborhood, where teardowns have made way for a competitive condo market.

— Judah Duke