The Project
Located just two blocks west of the University of Texas, Ruckus is a student housing development that offers spacious residences and a complete set of resident amenities. Ruckus disrupted the status quo as one of the first experience-based student housing apartments at The University of Texas at Austin. The property offers proximity to campus as well as popular retail and restaurants on “The Drag” and in the West Campus neighborhood.
The community consists of 46 units and 167 beds spread across 7 resident levels, in combination with two levels of below-grade parking. Completed in 2017, the Ruckus provided a disruptive set of amenity spaces that were ahead of its time with an intimate ground level lounge, ample academic resources, and a well-equipped rooftop fitness center with picturesque views of the UT tower.
Background
The West Campus neighborhood, bordering The University of Texas at Austin, is home to nearly 20,000 residents. One of the most sophisticated student housing markets in the country, West Campus has become extremely competitive. With large developments popping up each year, LV saw an opportunity to do something different.
LV had its eye on 0.40 acres of property along 24th Street, the primary pedestrian access corridor of West Campus. In 2016, LV Collective swiftly acquired the site in an off-market transaction, made possible by its market intel and long-standing relationships.
Redefining Off-Campus Residences
LV took this opportunity to exercise a fresh approach to student housing. LV aimed to create a small, boutique-style property with a community focus and a disruptive set of amenity spaces. Ruckus drew its name from the Honda Ruckus, a top-selling scooter seen frequently across the UT Austin campus. The building broke ground in 2016 and was delivered ahead of schedule.
Thoughtfully-designed spaces capture the vivacity of UT Austin students and provide residents with an amenity-rich experience to complement the college lifestyle.
Ruckus’ assortment of study spaces set a new standard for academic accommodation at UT Austin, as this project includes four glass-front study rooms equipped with oversized tables and 65” SMART TV’s, custom individual study nooks, and Google Fiber connectivity.
On the ground level, Ruckus features an intimate lounge with a variety of seating options, wall-mounted TVs, arcade games, and the property’s namesake, a Honda Ruckus scooter. Upstairs, Ruckus features a well-equipped rooftop fitness center with picturesque views of the UT tower.
The interior and exterior of the Ruckus are designed to catch the eye, featuring bold vibrant colors and unique patterns. The interior of the Ruckus features an assortment of individualistic decor that allows the residents to feel personally connected to the design. This design intent is carried through all of the common areas of the building including the lofted study level on the second floor.
Lofted Layouts, Elevated Lifestyle
On top of intentionally designed, disruptive amenity spaces, Ruckus’ residential levels broke the norm in West Campus. Ruckus’ floor plans consist of fully furnished studios through five-bedroom lofts. All residences feature stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, in-unit washers and dryers, and a complete furniture package. The cornerstone of the project interior is the unique five-bedroom loft, featuring large windows and a spiral staircase.
The Results
Ruckus was one of the first properties in the highly competitive Austin market to position itself as not only a place to live, but an experience. Between its elevated amenity spaces, curated design, and well-positioned location, Ruckus was set up for success to pre-lease.
Ruckus led the charge in off-campus leasing at UT, hitting 95% leasing velocity by December 2016 and achieving 100% occupancy in the 2016-2017 leasing season. Ruckus put LV Collective, formerly Lincoln Ventures, on the map as a major player in the student housing space in Austin.
