Last June, a shooting at a local apartment complex left the Auburn community shaken and University Heights' name synonymous with tragedy. Today, the complex where University Heights stood looks nothing like it used to.
In January, Realco Capital Partners purchased the property and immediately set forth changes in attitude and appearance while including the residents in the culture change.
Realco also decided on changing the name from "University Heights" to "Tiger Lodge at Auburn" to reinforce the rebranding efforts.
Realco has put $1.5 million into renovation efforts for the 10-year-old property. Renovation initiatives have included clubhouse upgrades, a new fitness center, new furniture packages for the units and an upgraded Closed-Circuit Television security camera system.
"I applaud them for their efforts," said Wade Manora Jr., senior at Auburn University. "It's hard to see the resemblance to University Heights."
Manora signed a one-year lease in May 2012 under the previous ownership. He said the transformation of the property has been nothing short of remarkable.
"They are trying to get away from the past," Manora said. "They've done a great job lifting the appearance of the community and erasing the connection to the past."
While the upgrades in appearance are welcome, Manora said he has been more impressed with the professionalism and caring attitudes among the new management staff, Campus Apartments, when compared to the previous management company, The Preiss Company.
"The management staff put forth an effort to hear what we had to say," Manora said. "When the old ownership left, we all received personal letters right away and (the staff) ensured us that we would have a say and be protected."
Stephanee Heitkamp, regional leasing specialist for Campus Apartments, said Manora's sentiments to the changes have been echoed throughout the community.
"Our focus has been on re-branding and moving into the future, and the residents have given us great feedback on what they want and expect from us," Heitkamp said.
Security and peace-of-mind is a large factor for many current and prospective residents, and the new management has done a lot to reassure them.
"The front gate actually works now, and we have all been given passcodes to get in if the card-reader doesn't work," Manora said. "They haven't advertised the security so much, but we all feel pretty safe."
Manora said the previous brand, University Heights, was affected by the negative publicity garnered from the summer shooting at the complex's pool.
"I think when the shooting happened, it damaged University Heights," Manora said. "It seems like the ownership cut its losses instead of trying to save face."
However, Adam Byrley, Director of Leasing and Programming for Preiss, said the sale of University Heights had nothing to do with the incident that occurred.
A year later, the complex has been revamped and reinvigorated by the new ownership and management companies.
"We have events at least once every two weeks," Manora said. "The residents here get along, and there have been improvements across the board to improve the atmosphere and environment."
The excitement is shared by both the residents and the management team.
"The renovations have been exciting and it's so encouraging," Heitkamp said. "We're always looking for opportunities to improve the student-living experience."
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