Raleigh real estate company’s first off-campus housing property in Georgia claims Statesboro honor for second consecutive year
RALEIGH, NC – July 19, 2011 – The Preiss Company, one of the largest and fastest growing student housing providers in the nation, is pleased to announce that University Village at Southern has been named “Best Apartment Community in Statesboro” for the second year in a row, as well as “Best Apartment Staff” by Connect Statesboro, a weekly entertainment and alternative news weekly that focuses on issues surrounding young adults. The publication caters to 18- to 30-year olds—from students to young professionals in Bulloch County.
The Preiss Company acquired University Village at Southern in January 2010 and is the real estate company’s first student housing acquisition in Georgia. The property, formerly known as Bermuda Run, is a 532-bed apartment community located ½ mile from Georgia Southern University and offers two-bedroom/two-bathroom, three-bedroom/three-bathroom, and four-bedroom/four-bathroom units, as well as two-bedroom/two-bathroom townhomes. Amenities include a sparkling pool, sand volleyball court, basketball court, clubhouse with two gaming stations, and pool table.
The property was built in the early 90’s and received $1 million in capital improvements made by The Preiss Company. Enhancements included a new office with concierge desk, state-of-the-art fitness center, upgraded computer lab with free printing, and new roofs and decks. Select units received complete upgrades including wood flooring throughout the unit, cabinet refacing, new energy-efficient appliances, and new countertops. Property Manager, Colton Lassinger, says that the property’s repeat award proves that the appeal of University Village at Southern doesn’t stop at the property aesthetics.
“We truly care about our residents and have plenty to offer them week after week,” says Lassinger. “Whether it’s breakfast-on-the-go during finals, spaghetti dinners for Resident Appreciation Week, or just a simple game of bingo and trivia for cash prizes, we really take every opportunity to reach out and connect with our residents and make them feel at home. Everyone here at University Village at Southern is family, and it’s this kind of relationship building that sets us apart in the housing industry. We’re proud to be Georgia State University’s ‘Best Apartment Community’ and ‘Best Apartment Staff’ and look forward to continuing to be the best community in the area.”
In 2010, Lassinger was awarded The Preiss Company’s Presidential Award, which recognizes company team members who exhibit leadership in their everyday life. Regional Manager, Adam Byrley, says Lassinger is the “consummate professional” and is one of the main reasons behind the success of University Village at Southern.
“Colton has put his entire self into the success of University Village at Southern,” says Byrley. “In a short period of time, he’s built a tight-knit group that lives and breathes their property.” Lassinger was elected by his peers at last year’s March Leadership Training Conference as one of the most valuable players in the The Preiss Company portfolio and went on to represent The Preiss Company Leadership Team in New Orleans as a reward for his hard work and leadership.
In addition to its recent awards, University Village at Southern was also presented with the Student Housing Business “Innovator Award” in the category of Best Bandwidth Solution. The Preiss Company partnered with a reputable telecom systems provider and installed a total of 50 enterprise-class intelligent wireless access points across the property’s 16 buildings. The system overhaul began in early March, 2010, and by the end of June, the network was operational and had increased Internet capacity 10x.
About The Preiss Company
Founded in 1987 by Donna Preiss, The Preiss Company is one of the largest providers of off-campus student housing in the United States and currently manages 15,000 beds throughout the southeast and Pennsylvania. The Preiss Company is the leader in the development of new technologies, tools, and strategies for the student housing industry and also acts as a receiver for several national banks. In its 24th year, the company employs over 250 team members, has formed over 50 partnerships, and has developed over 20 projects stretching from Maryland to Texas. For more information, visit www.tpco.com.