Case Studies

Gather Illinois, Rael Development Corporation

Champaign, IL
2020
Introduction

Gather Illinois (Gather) is a mixed-use development comprised of student housing apartment units including 370 beds and 32 extended-stay hotel rooms. This unique model provides residents and their guests with the same spacious and luxurious apartment living available for residential leasing.

Services
Capital Improvements
Talent & Compliance Training
Operations
Marketing
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Zimmerman property lounge area with apple computers
The Challenge

With a significant international student population, offering flexibility and accommodation options was crucial to the community’s success during a global pandemic. For those residents, one of our greatest challenges was how to make this property feel more like home.

  • Training staff
  • Updating onsite amenities
  • Marketing to our target audience during a pandemic
Our Solution

The incorporation of a mixed-use hotel component within the Gather community ultimately was designed to benefit our residents. The guest suites also service the nearby medical school and center, house those visiting for campus events and game days, as well as provide short-term rental options for faculty, staff, interns, and study abroad students.

Sarah Michels
Regional Supervisor
"
The Gather Illinois project was an exciting experience to be involved in as the concept of guest suites in student housing was unheard of. Residents enjoyed that their family and friends could stay in the same building when visiting. Gather Illinois focused on offering residents a convenient and elevated student lifestyle that included programming for studying, relaxing, and socializing in several dedicated amenity spaces. The ability to bring residents and the community together fully encompassed the branding idea behind the name Gather."
The Results
  • Staff became well versed in the leasing of mixed-use property
  • Access to unique 24-hour amenities
  • Sought out a place to stay at due to the “at home” feel
  • Increased resident satisfaction with the additional perks included
  • Differentiated from other student housing properties in the market
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