The Douglas
The Douglas
DEVELOPING A BUILDING’S PERSONALITY
The Douglas at Seattle University is located at the intersection of First Hill and Capitol Hill and sits between SU’s Champion Stadium and their newly remodeled Student Fitness Center. The Douglas, with 259 beds, welcomed its first residents in Fall 2011 and came to life with a personality catered to the creative and humanitarian culture of students attending the university. Housing the offices for both the property management staff alongside the SU housing staff promoted a highly nurturing and engaging community for both residents and their classmates. We placed an emphasis on building and maintaining spaces that foster relationships, academic growth and relaxation by building out a beautiful community lounge managed by the SU housing staff.
Preleasing for The Douglas started in March 2011 while construction was in its final stages. The building reached 98% preleased prior to opening its doors due largely to the successful marketing and leasing center built in the vacant lot next to the site. A trailer was converted into a hip hang out for “Doug” and friends and provided an inviting leasing center where students could learn about the building, develop relationships with the staff and take a break from their studies. Other successful marketing efforts included establishing a presence on campus by tabling, attending both university and SU housing events and signage in the neighborhood. Due to the quarter-based academic calendar, many residents sought 9-month leases. To avoid a 3-month vacancy in the summer, it was required all students sign a 12-month lease with the option to sublease to another university student without requiring them to be a student at SU. This program was widely successful and saw students both nationally and internationally call The Douglas home during the summer while they visited Seattle for summer classes or internships.
The Douglas
DEVELOPING A BUILDING’S PERSONALITY
The Douglas at Seattle University is located at the intersection of First Hill and Capitol Hill and sits between SU’s Champion Stadium and their newly remodeled Student Fitness Center. The Douglas, with 259 beds, welcomed its first residents in Fall 2011 and came to life with a personality catered to the creative and humanitarian culture of students attending the university. Housing the offices for both the property management staff alongside the SU housing staff promoted a highly nurturing and engaging community for both residents and their classmates. We placed an emphasis on building and maintaining spaces that foster relationships, academic growth and relaxation by building out a beautiful community lounge managed by the SU housing staff.
Preleasing for The Douglas started in March 2011 while construction was in its final stages. The building reached 98% preleased prior to opening its doors due largely to the successful marketing and leasing center built in the vacant lot next to the site. A trailer was converted into a hip hang out for “Doug” and friends and provided an inviting leasing center where students could learn about the building, develop relationships with the staff and take a break from their studies. Other successful marketing efforts included establishing a presence on campus by tabling, attending both university and SU housing events and signage in the neighborhood. Due to the quarter-based academic calendar, many residents sought 9-month leases. To avoid a 3-month vacancy in the summer, it was required all students sign a 12-month lease with the option to sublease to another university student without requiring them to be a student at SU. This program was widely successful and saw students both nationally and internationally call The Douglas home during the summer while they visited Seattle for summer classes or internships.