Powering Housing: Giants Launch BTR Venture in Texas Energy Hub

LOS ANGELES & NEW YORK – January 06, 2026 – In a significant move signaling deep confidence in the build-to-rent (BTR) housing sector, thematic real estate manager Silverstone Partners and investment platform JSB Capital Group have announced a major joint venture. The partnership is launching with the acquisition of a 277-home BTR portfolio in Midland, Texas, a strategic purchase from institutional heavyweight Related Companies that plants a flag squarely in the heart of America’s most productive energy region.

The deal marks the formation of a programmatic alliance designed to aggressively acquire multifamily and BTR properties across the country. By starting with an institutional-grade portfolio in a high-growth secondary market, the venture is putting a specific and technology-forward investment thesis into immediate action.

The Permian Basin Bet

The choice of Midland, Texas, for the partnership's seed portfolio is a calculated bet on durable economic fundamentals. Located in the Permian Basin, the region is the epicenter of the nation's oil and gas production. Recent forecasts from the U.S. Energy Information Administration project continued growth, with crude oil output expected to climb to 6.6 million barrels per day in 2025. This robust industrial activity directly fuels a dynamic local economy.

Midland has consistently posted impressive job growth, with projections indicating the creation of nearly 12,700 new jobs by 2030. This economic engine has triggered a corresponding population boom; the Midland metropolitan area's population has surged by 2.8% since 2020, far outpacing many other regions. This rapid influx of workers has created a significant and sustained demand for housing that the existing supply struggles to meet.

The acquired portfolio, comprising four distinct communities, directly addresses this need with spacious homes averaging nearly 1,300 square feet—a substantial alternative to traditional apartment living. The BTR model is particularly well-suited for markets like Midland, offering the space and privacy of a single-family home with the flexibility and professional management of a rental community. This appeals to a mobile workforce and families who may be priced out of homeownership or prefer not to buy in a market tied to energy cycles.

"The acquisition of the Seed Portfolio represents a compelling opportunity to acquire well-located BTR assets at an attractive basis in a supply-constrained market supported by long-term economic and demographic fundamentals," said Bobby Svigals, Senior Vice President at JSB Capital Group.

Technology Meets Tenancy

Beyond its strategic location, the joint venture is distinguished by its operational approach. Silverstone Partners will spearhead day-to-day management through its vertically integrated platform, Claireville Residential. A key differentiator for Claireville is its use of "proprietary generative AI tools" to optimize every facet of asset management.

This isn't just a buzzword; it represents a fundamental shift in how real estate portfolios are managed. In an industry where operational efficiency directly impacts returns, AI can provide a formidable competitive edge. Such technology can be used to analyze market data for dynamic rent pricing, predict maintenance needs before equipment fails, automate leasing inquiries and administrative tasks, and generate deep insights from vast datasets to inform future investment decisions. According to industry analysis from firms like McKinsey, generative AI has the potential to unlock over $100 billion in value for the real estate sector by streamlining operations and enhancing tenant experiences.

Silverstone's commitment to this model is central to its strategy. "This partnership validates a specific thesis we developed surrounding the current multifamily capital markets," stated Manoj Ramprakash, Managing Partner and Founder of Silverstone Partners. "By launching with a portfolio that fits our criteria and disciplined underwriting approach, we can immediately apply our hands-on, technology-enabled operating model to generate value, proving our shared conviction."

This tech-forward strategy aims to not only reduce costs but also improve tenant retention and satisfaction, creating more stable, profitable assets over the long term.

A Partnership Built for Scale

The alliance between Silverstone and JSB Capital Group creates a powerful synergy of operational expertise and financial might. Silverstone brings its thematic investment focus and the sophisticated Claireville operating platform. JSB, a private firm with primary offices in Miami and New York, contributes its substantial capital backing and a wealth of strategic experience, having invested over $3 billion of equity and acquired or built more than 50,000 apartment units nationally.

Structured for a flexible, long-term horizon, the partnership is not focused on short-term flips. Instead, its stated goal is to methodically accumulate and scale a substantial residential portfolio. The focus is on assets that can deliver outsized total returns anchored by strong, in-place cash flow—a hallmark of a patient, value-oriented investment strategy.

JSB will act as the capital partner while advising on overall strategy and portfolio construction, providing the financial runway needed for ambitious growth. The sale of the portfolio by a major developer like Related Companies further underscores the maturation of the BTR asset class, which has evolved from a niche market into a core focus for institutional capital. This transaction demonstrates that large, high-quality BTR portfolios are now actively trading between major players, cementing their place in the institutional real estate landscape.