Project Overview

In the spring of 2023, Root Management took on the renovation and lease-up of The Bend, an off-campus student housing property serving the University of Notre Dame. With a tight timeline and a $3.2 million construction loan in place, the project required a comprehensive interior overhaul, significant exterior updates, and a full lease-up by the start of the fall semester. The result? A 90% occupancy rate in year one, a re-energized property, and a deeply engaged resident community.

The Bend – Student Housing Community

The Challenge

When Root Management stepped in, The Bend was in rough shape. Deferred maintenance had taken its toll:

  • Two units had exposed subfloors where you could see from one unit to the one below
  • The parking lot was riddled with potholes
  • Overgrown landscaping created safety and visibility issues
  • Structural deflection was present in most second-floor units
  • The central courtyard had major washout areas

The interior work needed to be completed between May and mid-August, with exterior work and clubhouse upgrades scheduled to be wrapped by September. The goal was clear:

  • Modernize the property
  • Lease it to incoming students
  • And deliver a move-in-ready experience

All on time and on budget!

The Bend – Student Housing Community

Root Management’s Role

Root Management led the project directly on-site, providing daily oversight in collaboration with the general contractor. From construction coordination to resident communication, our team managed every moving part, including:

  • Overseeing aggressive renovation schedules and daily progress
  • Relocating and supporting residents during temporary placements
  • Holding daily 15-minute huddles with contractors to anticipate and address issues that could arise
  • Reporting weekly on budget, payments, invoices, and change orders

We also supported the marketing and leasing teams with real-time updates, helping them stay aligned with deliverables, resident messaging, and changes to the construction timeline.

The Bend – Student Housing Community

Marketing & Lease-Up Strategy

Leasing during a renovation required full transparency and creative outreach. We developed:

  • Weekly updates to the leasing staff
  • Visual content like drone footage, progress videos, walkthroughs, and photos
  • Active social media storytelling to generate buzz and excitement
  • Direct conversations with incoming residents about improvements that were happening

Despite ongoing construction, students and families were drawn in by the clear communication and compelling vision for the finished product.

The Bend – Student Housing Community

Challenges & Solutions

Our biggest hurdle was relocating current residents during construction. We knew renovations would be disruptive, so we met with residents daily to walk them through the progress, answer questions, and even personally assisted with moving their belongings back in once renovations were complete.

There were also seasonal and logistical pressures:

  • Notre Dame’s school year provided no wiggle room for delays
  • Unforeseen repair needs surfaced throughout the process
  • All problems had to be resolved the same day to avoid ripple effects

Thanks to strong communication, a responsive team, and daily decision-making, we stayed right on track!

The Bend – Student Housing Community

What Made it Successful

This project really reinforces our belief that great outcomes happen from intentional communication, on-the-ground leadership, and a people-first mindset, especially during the more aggressive timelines. Plus, the results speak for themselves:

  • Interior renovations were completed on time
  • Exterior work and the clubhouse were finished by September
  • We achieved over 90% occupancy in the first year post-renovations
  • Only one unit required follow-up work after move-in
  • We received tons of positive parent and resident feedback, including feedback from a happy dog at the new dog park!