Madison Communities, the multifamily subsidiary of Madison Capital Group Holdings, has acquired The Collective at Archer, a fully stabilized, institutional-grade build-to-rent (BTR) community in Gainesville, Florida, marking the firm’s official entry into the high-demand asset class.
The property averages 96% occupancy; it is the only stabilized BTR community in the Gainesville market, a region experiencing sustained population growth and economic expansion fueled by the University of Florida and the area’s rapidly growing health care sector.
The acquisition represents the next phase of Madison Communities’ growth trajectory as it expands beyond traditional garden-style apartments. The firm has several BTR projects in the development pipeline, but The Collective at Archer is the first of its kind the company has brought into its owned portfolio.
“Build-to-rent fits seamlessly into our long-term strategy of delivering high-quality housing in high-growth markets across the Southeast,” said Collin Ross, Executive Vice President of Acquisitions at Madison Communities. “We believe this sector is positioned for continued momentum as renters increasingly seek the privacy and flexibility of single-family homes with the convenience and amenities of professionally managed communities.”
The property offers a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom detached cottages with private, fenced-in yards, Ring Video Doorbells and optional detached garages. Each unit features open floor plans, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, wood-style flooring and in-unit laundry.
Community amenities include a large, heated and cooled, zero-entry resort-style pool with a sun shelf, a state-of-the-art fitness center, outdoor lounge spaces with a summer kitchen and TVs, and a clubhouse with game rooms and gathering spaces.
The Collective at Archer is strategically located along Archer Road (State Road 24), with direct access to I-75 and major employment and medical hubs. It is 3.5 miles from the under-development $231 million HCA hospital set to open in 2026, less than seven miles from UF Health Shands Hospital, and a 12-minute drive from the University of Florida. The area features more than 3.5 million square feet of nearby retail at Celebration Pointe and Butler Plaza.
Alachua County’s population has grown by more than 22% since 2010 and is expected to increase by an additional 16% over the next two decades. The area’s strong medical, research and academic institutions, have allowed Gainesville to emerge as a key growth market in Florida.
Madison Communities, an affiliate of Madison Capital Group, currently owns and operates 20 properties with 23 more in development, totaling more than 5,700 units. The company is a vertically integrated real estate development and investment firm focused on building high-quality suburban garden-style apartment communities throughout the Southeast.
