Campus Crest Properties

Flexible Logistics Help Launch Six Student Communities in One Month

Situation Overview
Campus Crest builds, owns and manages all of its properties, under "The Grove" brand name. Since 2004, the company has developed 18 student-housing communities worth more than $500 million in nine states.
In January 2006, the company began construction of six properties across four states simultaneously. To meet market demand for high-end amenities, each complex would provide 504 units, bedrooms with private bathrooms, plus a resort-style swimming pool, tanning beds and a clubhouse—totaling 218,000 square feet—all furnished.

Solution Overview
In January 2007, Direct Import Services placed furniture orders with its worldwide factory partners. Millwork was made to order and fabricated at the company's facility in Jonesboro, North Carolina. Games were sourced from local manufacturers.

The company's teams worked closely with the developer's local subcontractors—ordering, shipping and delivering all lighting and plumbing fixtures needed to each site.

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North Campus Crossing

Expert Sourcing and Logistics Solutions Help Nation's Third Largest Student Housing Achieve On-time Occupancy

Situation Overview
As the largest housing provider of off-campus student housing for East Carolina University, North Campus Crossing was selected to construct a luxury complex for 1692 residents—the third largest student housing development in the nation.

Designed as a five-star resort-style community, North Campus Crossing would provide fully furnished apartments, two clubhouses, three year-round pools, full gym, game rooms and more.

Solution Overview
To ensure precise deliveries, installs and construction finishing, Direct Import Services collaborated with the developer and contractor to manage the entire process.

Over the next 18-months, working within an aggressive, two-phase build schedule, the company sourced, imported and delivered more than 30 shipping containers of custom-ordered products on time and as needed onsite.

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Blue Ridge Village

Custom-finished Renovation Boosts Ski Resort's Bookings

Situation Overview
With 24 locations in the U.S. and Caribbean, Festiva Resorts owns and manages a family of boutique, interval ownership resorts in prime vacation markets.

After years of satisfied guests, Blue Ridge management recognized the resort's need for interior updates. In early February 2009, the first nine of 70 units were gutted and set for renovation, inside and out. Because their peak occupancy is seasonal, everything had to be completed during spring and summer.

Solution Overview
Once the general contractor roughed out the interior, the company's team surveyed each unit. They cataloged all measurements to help create the CAD drawings needed to ensure exact product specifications for a precise fit.

Guiding them through the process, the project manager advised designers on everything needed for the job—from product options and sizes to sink and trim placement.

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Robin Hood Court

Sourcing Partnership Helps Spur Winston-Salem's Housing Growth

Situation Overview
As the region's largest employment center—with Wake Forest University and Baptist Medical Center nearby—Winston-Salem, North Carolina is experiencing steady growth, in business and housing.

BSC Holdings, Inc. of Greensboro is a family-owned, commercial real estate development firm, providing modern and well-maintained multifamily communities, such as garden apartments, rental homes, student housing and urban living.

Solution Overview
As construction began, all cabinet materials and cultured marble tops arrived on schedule and were stored in the company's nearby warehouse for quick transport as needed.

Project Manager Doug DeLong and Windsor's granite countertop contractor worked closely. They exchanged CAD drawings to ensure everything was to spec—coordinating respective considerations for design, sizing and weight. For instance, each kitchen features an angled wall, so the cabinetry had to be precisely aligned with those measurements for a proper fit.

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University Estates at Austin

Custom Importer and Installer Upgrades Build Long-Term Value for The Preiss Company

Situation Overview
The Preiss Company is an industry leader in the sales and development of investment properties. With over $350 Million in acquisitions, they are the largest off-campus housing provider for North Carolina State University, Clemson University, Auburn University and the University of Texas-Austin.

In late 2007, an older rental complex adjoining their University Village property in Austin came on the market. And with 50,000 students at University of Texas, the Preiss Company saw a growth opportunity.

Solution Overview
Direct Import Services' professional teams began by carefully dismantling and removing old kitchen cabinets and countertops, then installing new products and cleaning up. Depending on students and necessary repairs, crews completed five to seven units per day, six days a week.

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