OTTO College Station Earns Top Student Housing Ranking in 2024
COLLEGE STATION, TX – March 4, 2025 – OTTO, a premier student housing community developed by Parallel and owned in partnership with Kayne Anderson Real Estate managed by Cardinal Group Management, has secured the #1 ranking for J Turner Research’s Online Reputation Assessment (ORA) Score in the student housing sector. This prestigious recognition solidifies OTTO’s position as a leader in resident satisfaction and online reputation, setting a new benchmark for excellence in the industry.
OTTO’s success is underscored by exceptional leasing performance and resident engagement metrics. The community boasts 745 beds across 341 units and has already pre-leased nearly 40% ahead of last year’s leasing season. Year over year, rental rates have increased by 10%, demonstrating strong demand. Over 250 VIP waitlist applicants had signed up for the 2024-25 leasing term, and within the first two months of 2025-26 leasing, 60% of available units had been pre-leased.
The outstanding leasing performance is a direct result of OTTO’s commitment to fostering an engaging and community-driven atmosphere. Through dynamic resident events, personalized leasing experiences, and innovative digital marketing strategies, OTTO has continued to attract and retain students seeking a best-in-class living experience. The property’s modern amenities and student-focused programming have further contributed to its success in the highly competitive student housing market.
The J Turner ORA Score is a proprietary metric that evaluates the online reputation of properties by aggregating online reviews from multiple platforms, including Google, ApartmentRatings, Yelp, and Facebook. The score, ranging from 0 to 100, considers review volume, recency, and sentiment, offering an accurate and comprehensive measure of a property’s online reputation. Updated monthly, the ORA Score allows student housing communities to benchmark themselves at local, regional, and national levels.
“Achieving the No.1 ORA Score is a testament to our commitment to providing an unprecedented living experience for our residents,” said Lane Johnson, portfolio manager of Cardinal Group Companies, OTTO’s management firm. “Our team’s dedication to service, engagement, and community-building is what sets OTTO apart.”
OTTO’s online reputation further reflects the high-quality living experience it provides resulting in an ORA score of 99. On Google, the community holds an impressive 4.8-star rating across 264 reviews. On Apartments.com, OTTO maintains a perfect 5.0-star rating from 58 reviews. Facebook reviews are equally strong, with all 31 reviews being rated five stars.
Parallel, the development firm behind OTTO, attributes this achievement to their long-term vision and dedication to creating high-quality, community-driven living spaces. “At Parallel, our mission is to create meaningful places to live. We are honored that our residents recognize our devotion to fostering an unparalleled living experience,” said Kirsten Penrod, principal of Parallel.
With this achievement, OTTO continues to solidify its reputation as the preferred student living destination in College Station. Its emphasis on innovation, resident engagement, and high-quality service has not only elevated the standard for student housing but has also fostered a thriving, connected community that enhances the overall college experience.
About OTTO
Located in College Station, TX, OTTO is a premier student housing community designed to provide an exceptional living experience through modern amenities, innovative community engagement, and resident-first service. Developed by Parallel and owned in partnership with Kayne Anderson Real Estate, OTTO is professionally managed by Cardinal Group Companies, a nationally recognized leader in property management and student housing operations. OTTO continues to set the bar for student living, offering residents a home where they can thrive academically, socially, and personally. For more information, visit www.ottostudentliving.com.
About Cardinal Group Companies
Cardinal Group Companies (“CGC”) is a fully integrated real estate management, investment, construction, consulting, and marketing firm focused on multifamily and student housing throughout the country. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, CGC affiliate companies are all firmly built atop the company’s “Cardinal Culture.” Since 2007, CGC has been operating successful partnerships, focused on creating efficiency and above market performance via their commitment to challenging the status quo of the industry. To date, Cardinal Group Companies has developed several best-in-class initiatives, which have earned the company national recognition year after year. Cardinal Group Companies’ management platform oversees over 50,000 units nationwide including over 92,900 student housing beds and 11,000 conventional and affordable housing units and across the U.S., including Cardinal Group, Companies’ owned portfolio and third-party managed properties.
To learn more about Cardinal Group Companies, please visit www.cardinalgroup.com.
About Kayne Anderson Real Estate
Kayne Anderson Real Estate is a leading real estate investment firm, managing approximately $17 billion in assets under management across opportunistic equity, core equity, and real estate debt, with sector expertise in medical office, seniors housing, off-campus student housing, multifamily housing, and self-storage. Kayne Anderson Real Estate is part of Kayne Anderson, a $37 billion alternative investment management firm with more than 41 years of successful experience across real estate, infrastructure, energy, and credit. For more information, visit www.kayneanderson.com/real-estate. (As of January 2025)
About Parallel
Parallel is an Austin-based real estate development firm specializing in delivering complex mid-rise and high-rise urban infill multifamily and student housing developments on time and on budget in some of the nation’s most competitive markets. For more information, visit www.parallel-co.com.
Media Contact:
Cardinal Group
Email: pr@cardinalgroup.com