EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Moving into a new space should feel exciting, not overwhelming. Whether you are planning your move to Ohio State University, comparing off-campus student apartments in Columbus, or trying to understand what makes INTRO different, we are here to make the process clearer. From leasing questions to floor plans, amenities, mass timber design, and everyday life near campus, consider this your starting point for getting to know INTRO Columbus.

Basic Information

  • INTRO Columbus is located in Columbus, Ohio near The Ohio State University, High Street, and the Short North Arts District. The community is designed to keep students connected to campus, coffee, dining, nightlife, parks, and the everyday rhythm of Columbus without making every day revolve around a car. 

  • Our temporary leasing office is located at 1624 N High St Space B03, Columbus, OH 43201

  • The leasing office hours will be Monday-Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday 10am-5pm, and Closed on Sunday. 

  • INTRO Columbus will begin leasing for Fall 2027 this June! Join our VIP Waitlist to be the first to know when Leasing begins!

  • Availability at INTRO Columbus will begin with Fall 2027 move-ins. As leasing launches, availability may vary by floor plan, bedroom count, and lease term. The best way to stay informed on leasing updates, pricing, floor plans, and important release dates is to join the interest list or connect directly with the INTRO Columbus leasing team. 

Why INTRO?

  • INTRO is not another version of the same student housing formula. It is a brand-new mass timber student housing community near Ohio State, designed with exposed natural materials, 10-foot ceilings in every unit, large windows, thoughtfully curated amenity spaces, and a unit-first design philosophy. The result is a student living experience that feels warmer, more open, more grounded, and more connected to how students actually live. 

  • Mass timber is a modern construction method that uses large engineered wood panels to form the structure of a building instead of relying entirely on concrete and steel. The material is incredibly strong, sustainably sourced, and designed to create a more thoughtful living environment. 

    At INTRO, mass timber becomes part of the everyday experience. Exposed wood, natural textures, and warmer materials help the spaces feel more calming, comfortable, and human-centered, creating an atmosphere that feels noticeably different from traditional student housing. 

  • Mass timber helps INTRO feel different from the moment you walk in. The construction and design approach allows for features like 10-foot ceilings, larger windows, and more natural light, creating spaces that feel brighter, more open, and less cramped than traditional student housing. 

    Throughout the building, exposed wood and natural materials bring warmth and texture into the spaces where students spend the most time, from apartment interiors and study spaces to the fitness center, library, and shared lounges. Combined with biophilic design principles, the result is an environment that feels calmer, more comfortable, and more grounded in everyday life. 

    For students balancing classes, internships, social life, and everything in between, the space they come home to can make a real difference in how they focus, recharge, and feel day-to-day. 

  • Biophilic design is the idea that people feel better in spaces connected to nature through materials, daylight, texture, openness, and thoughtful environmental design. At INTRO, those principles show up through exposed mass timber, oversized windows, natural light, calming materials, and spaces intentionally designed to feel more open and breathable. 

    Why does that matter? Because your environment impacts how you feel more than most people realize. Research shows spaces designed around biophilic principles can help reduce stress, improve focus, support productivity, and create a stronger sense of comfort and calm. For students balancing classes, internships, social life, and everything in between, having a home that helps you reset, focus, and feel grounded can make a real difference in your everyday experience. 

  • You feel the difference immediately. Higher ceilings create a more open, breathable environment that feels less cramped and more comfortable day-to-day. Combined with natural light and exposed timber, the apartments feel larger, brighter, and more calming than traditional student housing layouts. 

Lease Terms

  • An individual lease, sometimes called a per-bed lease, means each resident signs for their own bedroom space and is responsible for their own monthly installments. You share the common areas with your roommates, but you are not responsible for whether your roommate pays on time. 

  • INTRO Columbus will offer 12-month leases starting in August and ending in July. 

  • Lease terms are binding once signed. If you need to leave before the end of your lease term, contact the INTRO leasing team as early as possible to review available options, which may include lease takeover procedures if offered. Any fees, approvals, or requirements should be confirmed directly with the leasing office. 

  • Floor plan changes may be possible if availability allows, but they are not guaranteed. If you want to change your layout, bedroom count, or unit assignment after signing, contact the leasing team so they can review current availability, pricing, and any lease documents that may need to be updated. 

  • Yes, our D2 floorplan will offer a dual occupancy option! Contact our leasing team for more details! 

  • Yes. Renters insurance is required for all residents. Residents are automatically enrolled in our renter's insurance program but may provide proof of their own coverage to meet this requirement. 

Move-In Information

  • INTRO Columbus will be ready to welcome residents Fall 2027! 

  • After signing your lease, you can expect communication from the INTRO team with next steps, important deadlines, move-in information, utility guidance if applicable, and anything needed before arrival. The goal is to make move-in feel clear, organized, and as low-stress as possible. 

Rent Installments

  • An installment is one of the scheduled payments toward your total lease amount. Instead of paying the full lease amount at once, the total is divided into equal payments according to the lease terms. 

  • Rent is due on the first of each month and is paid through the resident portal.

  • No. The total rent for the lease term is a set amount and is payable in advance in twelve equal monthly installments. 

What Is Included?

  • Your installment helps cover more than just your apartment space. Residents at INTRO also receive access to community amenities, internet service, pest control service, and support from the on-site management and maintenance team designed to help make day-to-day living feel easier and more seamless. 

  • Utilities including electric and water/sewer service are billed separately based on usage. Residents are also responsible for a monthly trash service fee. Specific utility setup details, billing information, and service requirements will be outlined during the leasing process. 

  • Yes. INTRO Columbus apartments are fully furnished, creating a move-in experience that is easier, cleaner, and more student-friendly from day one. 

  • INTRO apartment features include 10-foot exposed mass timber ceilings in living areas and bedrooms, 10’ floor-to-ceiling low-emissivity windows, open-concept layouts, soft-closing cabinets and drawers, quartz countertops, stainless steel Samsung appliances, custom bedroom closets, USB-C ports in bedrooms, wide-plank wood-style flooring, gigabit internet service, and in-unit washer and dryer. 

  • INTRO is planned to include gigabit internet service, giving residents the speed they need for studying, streaming, gaming, video calls, and the everyday digital side of student life. 

Leasing Process & Fees

  • A tour at INTRO should help you feel the difference, not just check boxes. You can expect the leasing team to walk you through available floor plans, amenity spaces, the mass timber design story, location benefits, and the details that shape daily life here. As the community approaches opening, tour availability and exact tour format will be confirmed. 

  • Once leasing opens, you can apply right from the website! You can sign your lease electronically or in the leasing office. Contact the leasing office for availability. 

  • Applicants will need to provide identification information along with income or financial qualification documentation during the application process. Additional details may be requested depending on guarantor information, lease requirements, or individual application circumstances. 

  • Additional fees and optional charges may apply depending on your apartment selection, utilities, parking preferences, and lease setup. These may include a monthly trash fee, renter’s insurance, utilities and utility billing fees, parking charges, pet rent, application and administration fees, and select floor plan or location premiums such as view premiums, ensuite bathroom premiums, or penthouse suite premiums. Specific pricing, availability, and applicable fees will be outlined during the leasing process before signing your lease. 

  • A guarantor is someone who agrees to financially support the lease if the resident is unable to meet payment obligations. Because many students do not have established income or credit history, a guarantor is often used during the student housing leasing process. 

  • No, a guarantor is not required. However, using a guarantor is one method residents can use to financially qualify for a lease. The leasing team can walk you through available qualification options and help determine the best fit based on your individual situation. 

  • If required during the application process, a Social Security number may be used for standard screening purposes. The leasing platform should provide secure handling of personal information, and applicants can contact the leasing team with questions about privacy, screening, or alternate documentation options. 

  • If you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian may need to participate in the application and leasing process. Please contact the leasing team before applying so they can walk you through the correct process and required documents. 

Roommate Matching

  • Yes. INTRO offers roommate matching for residents who do not already have a full roommate group. During the leasing process, residents may be asked to share preferences, habits, lifestyle details, and roommate interests so the leasing team can help create compatible living arrangements that make sense for day-to-day student life. 

  • Yes, residents who want to live with friends should share roommate preferences during the leasing process. Placement will depend on availability, selected floor plans, signed leases, and timing, so the earlier your group communicates, the better.

  • While specific placements and neighboring units cannot be guaranteed, the leasing team will do their best to accommodate roommate and location requests whenever possible. Signing earlier in the leasing season can help improve the likelihood of securing preferred placements, floor plans, or nearby units.

Parking & Transportation

  • Yes! We offer assigned parking for a monthly fee. 

  • Parking rates at INTRO Columbus will vary based on availability, parking location, and selected parking options. The leasing team can provide the most current pricing and availability details during the leasing process. 

  • Yes. INTRO is designed around movement and multimodal access. The community includes secure bicycle storage and a bike hangar, making it easier to ride to campus, High Street, the Short North, or around Columbus without storing a bike in your apartment. 

  • Yes. INTRO’s location near High Street places residents along one of Columbus’ primary transit corridors, making it easy to get around by public transportation. Nearby COTA routes, including the Line 2 route running along High Street, provide convenient access to Ohio State University, the Short North, Downtown Columbus, and surrounding neighborhoods. Whether you are heading to class, grabbing dinner, meeting friends downtown, or exploring the city, INTRO makes it easy to stay connected without relying heavily on a car. 

Amenities & Daily Life

  • INTRO will include a leasing office, lobby, rideshare lobby, mail room, secure package room, bike hangar, over 5,000 square feet of fitness space, courtyard sundeck, resident lounge, game lounge, library, study pods, meeting room, and curated social spaces designed for studying, moving, gathering, and resetting. 

  • Yes. INTRO will include private study pods, a library, meeting room, and other focus-friendly areas designed for the real rhythm of student life. Whether you need to lock in alone or meet with a group, the building gives you space to do both. 

  • Yes. INTRO will feature more than 5,000 square feet of fitness and wellness space designed to support a wide range of workout styles and routines. The fitness center will include premium Matrix cardio and strength equipment, Torque functional training systems, Olympic lifting stations, free weights, rowers, stair climbers, HIIT-focused training areas, Echelon connected fitness bikes and mirrors, recovery and stretching spaces, and dedicated areas for strength and performance training.  

    Designed with exposed mass timber, higher ceilings, and natural materials throughout, the space was intentionally planned to feel more open, energizing, and motivating than a traditional apartment fitness center. 

  • Yes. INTRO will include a package room designed to keep deliveries organized and easy to pick up when they arrive. 

  • Yes. INTRO will include a dedicated rideshare lobby, giving residents a comfortable indoor place to wait for pickups and making arrivals and exits feel smoother. 

Pets

  • Yes. INTRO Columbus is pet-friendly and welcomes residents with pets. Breed and weight restrictions apply, along with a one-time non-refundable pet fee and monthly pet rent. For the most current pet policy details, approved pet information, and fee structure, please contact the leasing office directly. 

  • Residents with service animals or emotional support animals should contact the leasing office directly for information regarding documentation requirements, approval procedures, and community policies in accordance with applicable housing guidelines. 

Utilities & Maintenance

  • At move-in, residents will receive a uniquely coded key fob that provides access to their apartment home and designated community amenity spaces throughout the building. For safety and security purposes, residents should not share their key fob or building access credentials with others. 

  • You can call the property number for after hours lock outs. The call will forward to an INTRO team member to respond.

  • For urgent maintenance emergencies, please contact the office during business hours or follow the after-hours call prompt. Emergency requests may also be submitted through the resident portal by selecting emergency priority. For life threatening emergencies, please contact 911. 

Parent Questions

  • Mass timber is part of what makes INTRO feel well-built, thoughtful, and future-focused. Beyond the look, it supports a warmer and more comfortable living environment, while the unit-first design philosophy keeps the focus on where students spend most of their time: their apartment. 

  • INTRO supports student wellness through natural materials, biophilic design, large windows, open layouts, study spaces, fitness amenities, and environments designed to help students focus, reset, and feel more grounded during a busy season of life. 

  • Yes. INTRO is located 0.2 miles from The Ohio State University, giving students access to campus while also keeping them connected to High Street, the Short North, downtown Columbus, and everyday conveniences nearby. 

What It’s Actually Like to Live Here

  • Columbus gives you a little bit of everything. Big campus energy, creative neighborhoods, live music, coffee shops, late-night food spots, vintage stores, concerts, parks, game days, and nonstop things to explore. Living at INTRO places you right in the middle of it all, close enough to campus to stay connected, while also giving you access to the culture and energy that make Columbus feel bigger than just a college town. 

  • Most residents walk, bike, scooter, use COTA, or catch a quick rideshare depending on where they are headed. INTRO’s location near Ohio State University and High Street makes getting around feel easy without needing to rely heavily on a car. Whether you have early lectures, late-night study sessions, or internships downtown, you’re connected to campus and the city in a way that keeps daily life moving smoothly. 

  • It’s something you notice almost immediately, even if you can’t fully explain it at first. The exposed wood, natural light, oversized windows, and 10-foot ceilings create an environment that feels warmer, calmer, and more open than traditional student housing. It feels less institutional and more like a place you actually want to spend time in. 

  • Honestly, both. INTRO was designed to support different rhythms of student life. Some nights look like game-day hangs, group dinners, or resident events. Other nights are quieter, focused, and low-key. The spaces throughout the building were intentionally designed to make connection feel natural without making the community feel overwhelming. 

  • Very much so. While the amenity spaces are beautiful, the real focus at INTRO is how your apartment and environment support daily life. Private study pods, collaborative lounges, natural light, quieter interiors, and thoughtfully designed layouts help create a space where it’s easier to focus, reset, and stay productive throughout the semester. 

  • A lot of student housing starts to feel similar after a while. Same layouts, same amenities, same marketing language. INTRO was designed differently from the ground up. From the mass timber construction and 10-foot ceilings to the wellness-focused design approach and highly connected location, the experience here feels more intentional, more personal, and more grounded in how students actually live today. 

  • Not necessarily. Many residents choose to walk, bike, scooter, rideshare, or use public transportation because of INTRO’s highly connected location near campus, High Street, and the Short North. Grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, entertainment, and everyday essentials are all within easy reach. 

  • INTRO feels energetic without feeling chaotic. It’s social, creative, grounded, and intentionally designed. Residents tend to appreciate spaces that feel thoughtful, naturally comfortable, and connected to both campus life and the city around them. It’s the kind of place where people can be productive, social, and fully themselves without trying too hard. 

  • A lot. INTRO places you close to Ohio State University, High Street, the Short North Arts District, coffee shops, restaurants, bars, vintage stores, grocery options, fitness studios, live music venues, parks, and everyday essentials. It’s a location where daily routines feel easier and weekends tend to make themselves. 

  • That’s exactly what it was designed for. Student life can move fast, so having a space that supports both focus and downtime matters. INTRO combines social energy with calmer private spaces, creating an environment where you can stay connected without constantly feeling overstimulated. 

  • Definitely more like a home. The layouts, finishes, natural materials, privacy, and overall atmosphere create a much more comfortable and independent experience than traditional dorm-style living. It’s student housing designed around real daily life, not just temporary living. 

Aerial view of a city park with green trees and grass, intersected by pathways forming a star pattern, with buildings and skyline in the background.