Preiss and FD Stonewater Announce Two Signature Student Housing Communities in Raleigh and Knoxville
Preiss, in partnership with FD Stonewater, announced two new purpose-built student housing communities slated for delivery in Fall 2027: Signature at Varsity in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Signature on Grand in Knoxville, Tennessee. Together the properties will deliver 1,207 beds across two prominent university markets.
Signature at Varsity, located at 1400 Crest Road directly across from NC State’s Greek Village, will offer 679 beds and is positioned to serve Greek Life and student leadership communities. The development’s amenity plan emphasizes social and wellness programming, including a rooftop pool with poolside jumbotron, a two-story fitness center, expansive courtyard spaces, a putting green, collaborative lounges, and a Lenovo Esports gaming lounge described as first in the market.
Signature on Grand, at 1727 Grand Avenue in the Fort Sanders neighborhood, will provide 528 beds and an off-campus residential option for students at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. The community is designed to relieve pressure on the Cumberland Avenue corridor while maintaining proximity to campus. Planned amenities include a courtyard pool with poolside jumbotron, a two-story fitness center, outdoor TV lounge areas, dedicated study spaces, and a bike and e-scooter storage facility.
Both properties will offer studio through five-bedroom unit configurations, fully furnished with premium furniture packages and elevated finishes such as hardwood-style flooring, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and LED vanities. Select plans will include private patios or balconies, walk-in closets, and glass shower enclosures.
The developments emphasize tech-forward and sustainability features. Resident conveniences will include mobile-wallet integrated smart locks for unit and bedroom access, smart thermostats, and direct fiber-to-unit internet with speeds up to 1 Gbps. Community-level systems include advanced leak detection and on-site EV charging. Partnerships announced for the properties include Living Plant Walls powered by Miravel and Intelligent Vending powered by Tulu.
“As a company rooted in Raleigh, we are especially proud to deepen our presence near NC State while simultaneously expanding our footprint at UT Knoxville,” said Jeff Bartholomew, Executive Vice President of Development and Construction Services at Preiss. “Raleigh and Knoxville are two of the most dynamic university markets in the country, and we believe Signature at Varsity and Signature on Grand will meet the growing demand for premier, walkable, and tech-forward off campus housing options.”
These projects reflect ongoing investment in amenity-rich, technology-enabled student housing in walkable university neighborhoods. For owners, operators, and developers, the specifications underscore current expectations for unit-level connectivity, integrated access technologies, and amenity programming tailored to student lifestyles. Multifamily Leadership will continue to track delivery timelines and operational plans as the communities advance toward their 2027 openings.