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LOS ANGELES-SCI Real Estate Investments has acquired studentapartment complexes in Florida, Kansas and Mississippi from GMHCommunities Trust in the locally based company's first portfoliobuy of student housing assets. The portfolio comprises five studenthousing complexes totaling more than 1.32 million sf near majoruniversity campuses, including two near the University of Floridaand one each on or near the campuses of Florida State University,Kansas State University and the University of SouthernMississippi.

According to Scott Derrick, chief acquisitions officer for SCI,the company's capability to purchase portfolios "will immediatelyaccelerate our growth as buyers of high quality properties."Derrick and Bill Rose, vice president of national multifamily andstudent housing, represented SCI. GMH Communities was representedby Ryan S. Reid, senior vice president and national director ofstudent housing at CB Richard Ellis.