Sun Communities
A publicly traded real estate investment trust that owns and operates manufactured housing communities, recreational vehicle resorts, and related lifestyle properties.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Sun Communities is a publicly traded real estate investment trust focused on communities and resorts designed for manufactured housing residents, recreational vehicle users, and other long-stay leisure customers. The company was established in 1975 and became a public company through an initial public offering in December 1993. It is headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SUI. The company’s principal business is the ownership and operation of manufactured housing communities. These properties generally provide residential sites and community infrastructure for residents who own or occupy manufactured homes. Sun Communities also operates recreational vehicle communities and resorts, where customers may stay seasonally or for shorter leisure periods. Its portfolio has expanded through both internal development and acquisitions, allowing the company to build a geographically diversified platform in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Sun’s expansion included the March 1996 purchase of 25 manufactured housing communities for $226 million and the creation of its RV resort division, originally known as Sun RV Resorts, later in 1996. In June 2016, the company acquired a portfolio of 103 communities, concentrated primarily in California, Florida, and Ontario, for $1.7 billion from an affiliate of Centerbridge Partners. It added another portfolio of 31 manufactured housing communities in October 2019 for $343.6 million. The company broadened its property mix beyond manufactured housing and RV resorts through its September 2020 acquisition of Safe Harbor Marinas for $2.11 billion. In April 2022, it expanded its United Kingdom operations by acquiring Park Holidays UK for $1.3 billion. These transactions increased Sun Communities’ exposure to marina operations and holiday parks in addition to its established residential and RV businesses. Sun Outdoors is the company’s RV resort and campground brand. It was established as Sun RV Resorts in 1996 and adopted the Sun Outdoors name in November 2021. The division operates more than 170 resorts and campgrounds across the United States and Canada, according to the cited company and encyclopedia material. The broader Sun Communities platform was reported as having interests in 513 properties in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom as of December 31, 2025. Gary Shiffman served as chairman and was a director from the company’s 1993 public offering. In October 2025, Charles D. Young succeeded Gary A. Shiffman as chief executive officer, while Shiffman continued as chairman of the board. Sun Communities’ current positioning is that of a large, diversified owner-operator of income-producing manufactured housing, RV, marina, and holiday-park properties, with recurring revenue tied to residential site occupancy, resort stays, and related property operations.
History
Sun Communities dates to 1975 and developed as an owner and operator of manufactured housing communities. Its business model centers on acquiring, managing, and expanding property communities that provide sites, infrastructure, and amenities for manufactured homes. This model gives the company exposure to residential demand while allowing it to operate communities as recurring-revenue real estate assets. A major corporate turning point came in December 1993, when Sun Communities completed an initial public offering and became a publicly traded company. Its shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker SUI. After going public, the company pursued portfolio growth through acquisitions. In March 1996, it purchased 25 manufactured housing communities for $226 million. The company also entered the recreational vehicle resort sector in 1996 by establishing Sun RV Resorts. The division developed into a significant operating platform for resorts and campgrounds in the United States and Canada. On November 16, 2021, Sun RV Resorts was renamed Sun Outdoors. The rebrand placed the RV and campground operations under a broader consumer-facing identity while retaining their connection to Sun Communities. Sun expanded substantially in June 2016, when it acquired a portfolio of 103 communities located primarily in California, Florida, and Ontario, Canada. The transaction was valued at $1.7 billion and increased the scale of its manufactured housing and related community operations. In October 2019, the company acquired a further portfolio of 31 manufactured housing communities for $343.6 million. The company diversified beyond manufactured housing and RV properties with the September 2020 acquisition of Safe Harbor Marinas for $2.11 billion. This transaction added marina properties and operations to Sun Communities’ portfolio. In April 2022, Sun acquired Park Holidays UK for $1.3 billion, extending its presence in the United Kingdom and adding holiday parks to its business mix. By December 31, 2025, the company was reported to have interests in 513 properties across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Sun Outdoors was reported to operate more than 170 resorts and campgrounds in the United States and Canada. Leadership continuity changed in October 2025. Charles D. Young succeeded Gary A. Shiffman as chief executive officer. Shiffman continued as chairman of the board and had served as a director since the company’s 1993 public offering. The company’s history therefore reflects a progression from a manufactured housing community operator to a diversified public real estate platform spanning manufactured housing, RV resorts, marinas, and UK holiday parks.
- 2025
Chief executive transition
[1]Charles D. Young succeeded Gary A. Shiffman as chief executive officer, with Shiffman remaining chairman.
- 2022
Park Holidays UK acquisition
[1]Sun Communities acquired Park Holidays UK for $1.3 billion.
- 2021
Sun Outdoors rebrand
[1]Sun RV Resorts adopted the Sun Outdoors name.
- 2020
Safe Harbor Marinas acquisition
[1]Sun Communities acquired Safe Harbor Marinas for $2.11 billion.
- 2019
Acquisition of 31 manufactured housing communities
[1]The company expanded its manufactured housing portfolio through a $343.6 million acquisition.
- 2016
Acquisition of 103 communities
[1]Sun acquired a 103-community portfolio concentrated in California, Florida, and Ontario for $1.7 billion.
- 1996
Manufactured housing acquisition and RV division launch
[1]The company acquired 25 manufactured housing communities and established Sun RV Resorts.
- 1993
Initial public offering
[1]Sun Communities became a public company through an initial public offering in December.
- 1975
Company established
[1]Sun Communities dates its origins to 1975.
Products and positioning
Diversified owner and operator of manufactured housing communities, RV resorts, marinas, and holiday parks.
Residential real estate · 1975
Manufactured Housing Communities
Sun Communities’ core property category consists of manufactured housing communities. These communities provide residential sites and related infrastructure for manufactured homes, together with community-level operations and amenities. The company owns and operates properties in the United States and Canada and has expanded this business through acquisitions, including portfolios purchased in 1996, 2016, and 2019.
RV resorts and campgrounds · 1996
Sun Outdoors
Sun Outdoors is Sun Communities’ recreational vehicle resort and campground brand. It was established in 1996 as Sun RV Resorts and adopted its current name in November 2021. The division operates more than 170 resorts and campgrounds across the United States and Canada, serving RV travelers and seasonal leisure customers.
Marina properties
Safe Harbor Marinas
Safe Harbor Marinas became part of Sun Communities through a September 2020 acquisition valued at $2.11 billion. It represents the company’s marina-related property and operating platform and broadened Sun’s real estate exposure beyond manufactured housing and RV resorts.
Holiday parks
Park Holidays UK
Park Holidays UK is the company’s United Kingdom holiday-park platform. Sun Communities acquired the business in April 2022 for $1.3 billion, adding UK holiday parks to its existing manufactured housing, RV resort, and marina portfolio.
Marketing campaigns
- 2021Sun Outdoors rebrand
United States · Canada
Sun RV Resorts was renamed Sun Outdoors, creating a unified consumer-facing identity for the company’s RV resorts and campgrounds.
Outcome. The RV resort division continued operating under the Sun Outdoors name.
Brand decisions
2022
Acquire Park Holidays UKM&ABackground
Sun Communities expanded its international holiday-park operations.
Action taken
The company acquired Park Holidays UK.
Aftermath
The acquisition expanded Sun Communities’ operating footprint in the United Kingdom.
Acquisition value. $1.3 billion (April 2022)
2021
Rename Sun RV Resorts as Sun OutdoorsStrategyBackground
The company refreshed the identity of its RV resort and campground business.
Action taken
Sun RV Resorts was rebranded as Sun Outdoors.
Aftermath
The division continued operating under the Sun Outdoors brand.
2020
Acquire Safe Harbor MarinasM&ABackground
Sun Communities sought to diversify its real estate operating platform beyond manufactured housing and RV resorts.
Action taken
The company acquired Safe Harbor Marinas.
Aftermath
Marina properties became part of Sun Communities’ portfolio.
Acquisition value. $2.11 billion (September 2020)
2019
Acquire 31 manufactured housing communitiesM&ABackground
The company continued expanding its manufactured housing community portfolio.
Action taken
Sun Communities acquired 31 manufactured housing communities.
Aftermath
The acquisition added to the company’s residential community holdings.
Acquisition value. $343.6 million (October 2019)
2016
Acquire 103-community portfolioM&ABackground
Sun Communities sought to increase the scale of its manufactured housing and community portfolio.
Action taken
The company acquired 103 communities, primarily in California, Florida, and Ontario, from an affiliate of Centerbridge Partners.
Aftermath
The transaction materially increased Sun Communities’ presence in the United States and Canada.
Acquisition value. $1.7 billion (June 2016)
1996
Acquire 25 manufactured housing communitiesM&ABackground
Sun Communities pursued early portfolio expansion after becoming publicly traded.
Action taken
The company acquired 25 manufactured housing communities for $226 million.
Aftermath
The transaction expanded the company’s core manufactured housing platform.
Acquisition value. $226 million (March 1996)
Recent events
- 2025
Charles D. Young succeeds Gary Shiffman as chief executive[1]
Leadership change
Charles D. Young became chief executive officer, while Gary A. Shiffman continued as chairman of the board.
- 2022
Sun Communities acquires Park Holidays UK[1]
M&A
The company acquired Park Holidays UK for $1.3 billion, expanding its holiday-park operations in the United Kingdom.
- 2021
Sun RV Resorts rebrands as Sun Outdoors[1]
Campaign · Other
The company renamed its RV resort division Sun Outdoors as part of a broader brand identity for its resort and campground business.
- 2020
Sun Communities acquires Safe Harbor Marinas[1]
M&A
Sun Communities acquired Safe Harbor Marinas for $2.11 billion, expanding its portfolio into marina operations.
- 2019
Sun Communities expands its manufactured housing portfolio[1]
M&A
The company acquired 31 manufactured housing communities for $343.6 million.
- 2016
Sun Communities acquires a 103-community portfolio[1]
M&A
The company purchased a portfolio of 103 communities, primarily in California, Florida, and Ontario, for $1.7 billion.
- 1996
Sun Communities acquires 25 manufactured housing communities[1]
M&A
The company acquired 25 manufactured housing communities in a transaction valued at $226 million.
- 1996
Sun RV Resorts is established[1]
Product launch
Sun Communities established its RV resort division, which was later renamed Sun Outdoors.
- 1993
Sun Communities becomes a public company[1]
Other
Sun Communities completed its initial public offering and began trading as a publicly listed company.
Sources3 sources
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