Developer Brings Bikes, Carsharing and Students Together

By Keith Loria, Contributing Editor

Candlebrook’s student housing brand Letter 9 has entered two new partnerships that will make transportation simple and easy for all of its residents, agreeing to offer Zipcar and Zagster to its five student housing properties.

“Letter 9 offers college students off-campus housing communities that foster healthy living, personal growth and authentic connection,” Adam Zucker, vice president, development at Candlebrook, told MHN. “While our properties offer all the best-in-class accommodations and amenities many students have come to expect, we also provide ample opportunities for experience and interaction. Our partnerships behind Zipcar and Zagster are just two of the many examples of this effort.”

Zipcar will offer two cars parked on each property that can be reserved by the hour or day, making it easy to get downtown, do errands or even take a road trip. Zagster, a leading provider of bike sharing programs for the real estate industry, will provide transportation perfect for student’s active and healthy lifestyle.

The James – Richmond, Va.

The multi-property deal includes a total of 40 cruiser-style bikes and 10 cars that will be available at The Blake (at Kennesaw State University outside of Atlanta), The Dillon (at Indiana University in Bloomington), The James (at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond), The Tyler (at IUPUI in Indianapolis), and The Wyatt (at University of Kentucky in Lexington).

“Our management, programming and overall lifestyle are designed to be fun and edifying: promoting collaboration, embracing the best and latest in culture and accelerating the larger college experience,” Zucker added. “Partnerships likes these align greatly with our mission to create vibrant communities that promotes students health, well-being and personal advancement.”

All Zagster bikes will be available to residents free of charge for up to a 4-hour period, and $5 per hour thereafter. Prospective Zipcar members can join for $25, with rates for vehicles starting as low as $7.50/hour and $69/day. Gas, insurance, and up to 180 miles of driving per day are included in Zipcar rates.

These partnerships join other Letter 9 amenities and perks, including clubhouses with pools and state of the art fitness centers, study lounges and shuttle buses.

“Although relatively new to the student housing game, Letter 9 has quickly emerged as a leader in the industry,” Zucker said. “Our brand is cutting edge and our approach to residential living fresh and authentic. Partnering with leaders in the shared and alternative transportation economies is another example of our thought leadership.”