AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--American Campus Communities, Inc. (NYSE:ACC), the largest owner, manager and developer of high-quality student housing properties in the U.S., today announced that the company received an industry-leading five INNOVATOR Awards at the 2016 Interface Conference sponsored by Student Housing Business magazine. The company was recognized for excellence in five categories, including Best Implementation of Mixed-Use in New Development or Renovation, Best Use of Green & Sustainable Construction or Development, Best Vendor or Operator Solution, Best Renovation of Existing Project and Most Creative Financing.

Since the inception of the Student Housing Business Innovator Awards five years ago, ACC has received an industry-leading total of 19 awards, furthering its best-in-class reputation among colleges, universities and industry stakeholders. To date, ACC has completed the development of more than 100 communities, representing a total development of $5.3 billion, acquired in excess of $6 billion in student properties, and currently owns and manages more than 128,000 beds at 96 collegiate markets across the country.

"We're honored to have been recognized for both our on- and off-campus communities across five categories," said James Wilhelm, ACC executive vice president of public/private transactions. "Developing customized solutions that satisfy the unique needs of colleges, universities and their students is a critical element for our success, and ensures we stay true to our mission of providing students with communities that offer a broad range of price points and that are conducive to healthy living, personal success and academic achievement."

The individual awards are:

• On-campus: Best Implementation of Mixed-Use in New Development or Renovation' at Drexel University
  The Summit at University City, a 1,315-bed mixed-use urban residential community, is the result of a successful partnership between Drexel University and American Campus Communities via its American Campus Equity (ACE®) program. The project provides students modern housing while meeting Drexel's goal to revitalize Lancaster Avenue with high-quality restaurants and a lively mix of retailers catering to students, Drexel faculty and staff, and neighborhood residents.
• On-campus: Best Use of Green & Sustainable Construction or Development' at Princeton University
  Lakeside Apartments is a vibrant, 715-bed graduate housing complex that provides a healthy, comfortable, durable, energy-efficient and environmentally responsible place for students to live. The project includes a unique complex of 13 residential buildings that are all linked to a central ground source heat pump, which is expected to reap significant energy savings throughout the project's lifespan, along with a number of other sustainable features.
• On-campus: Best Vendor or Operator Solution' at Prairie View A&M University
  At Prairie View A&M University, American Campus Communities planned a complete overhaul of the aging wireless Internet network at its on-campus student housing properties'a massive undertaking that stretched across 1,500 apartment units and numerous common areas. In just four months, the student housing technology experts at Fision U designed and installed a best-in-class wireless solution within strict budgetary parameters and without interrupting service to more than 3,800 student residents.
• Off-campus: Best Renovation of Existing Project' in Austin, TX
  After decades of use, the aged campus icon, the Castilian, located across the street from The University of Texas campus along the bustling Guadalupe Street drag, was in need of modernization to better serve today's students and make the property more operationally efficient. Working with Sixthriver Architects and Harvey-Cleary Builders, ACC renovated the beloved student housing community with new interiors, updated aging systems and addressed deferred maintenance needs, increasing occupancy by more than 20 percentage points.
• Off-campus: Most Creative Financing' in Knoxville, TN
  American Campus Communities financed University Walk by leveraging the public company's robust balance sheet to meet the specific needs of a merchant developer, while advancing ACC's long-term goal of acquiring core pedestrian real estate at an attractive cost basis near a top-tier university. The $34.5 million project, consisting of 177 units and 526 beds, delivered positive returns for all parties involved.

The annual INNOVATOR Awards are sponsored and executed by Student Housing Business (SHB) magazine, and designed to honor excellence in development, architecture/design, sustainable design and development, finance, marketing and promotion and amenities in student housing properties, on- and off-campus. Winners are selected by a jury of student housing industry executives.

About American Campus Communities

American Campus Communities, Inc. is the largest owner, manager and developer 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 and operational management of student housing properties. As of December 31, 2015, American Campus Communities owned 162 student housing properties containing approximately 99,400 beds. Including its owned and third-party managed properties, ACC's total managed portfolio consisted of 201 properties with approximately 128,900 beds. Visit www.americancampus.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

In addition to historical information, this press release contains forward-looking statements under the federal securities law. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the industry and markets in which American Campus operates, management's beliefs, and assumptions made by management. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict.

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