Blog Posts

Resident Appreciation Day: Our Residents are the Pick of the Patch!

At Morguard, we believe our residents are the heart and soul of every community we manage. That’s why one of the highlights of our year is Resident Appreciation Day —a day when we get to shower our residents with all the gratitude, fun, and celebration they deserve! This nationwide tradition brings all our communities together for a day of festive activities, and this year’s theme was a fun fall favorite: “Our Residents are the Pick of the Patch!” From pumpkin painting to petting zoos, we went all out to show our appreciation with a day filled with joy, laughter, and plenty of fall vibes. Keep reading to relive all the seasonal fun that went down across Morguard communities nationwide! Celebrating in Style: A Day Full of Festivities Every Morguard community embraced the fall theme and put their unique twist on the day. Whether you’re a fan of fun games, creative activities, or simply enjoying a cozy autumn atmosphere, there was something for everyone. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the standout activities we hosted this year: Pumpkin Painting Who knew pumpkins could be transformed into such incredible masterpieces? At many of our properties, residents of all ages unleashed their inner artists for some festive pumpkin painting. From spooky jack-o'-lanterns to adorable fall-themed designs, the creativity on display was nothing short of amazing. And of course, we couldn’t let all that hard work go unnoticed—many communities held friendly contests where residents voted on their favorite designs, with fun prizes awarded to the top entries! Fall Festivals Nothing says autumn quite like a good old-fashioned festival! Communities took the fall festival theme and ran with it, turning their spaces into mini autumn wonderlands. We hosted everything from caramel apple stations and cornhole to hay covered photo booths and delicious food. It was the perfect way for neighbors to connect, have fun, and enjoy all the cozy vibes of the season. Petting Zoos Because who can resist adorable animals? Some of our Morguard communities even took the celebrations up a notch by bringing in animals for the day! Residents had the chance to interact with a range of cute and cuddly farm animals—goats, bunnies, chickens, sheep, and even the occasional mini horse. It wasn’t just a hit with the little ones; our adult residents couldn’t help but get in on the fun too. There’s something about the joy of a petting zoo that brings out the child in all of us, making it a highlight of the day for many. Food, Drinks & Cozy Fall Fun We didn’t just stop at the games and activities—fall-themed food and drinks were the stars of the show too. Residents got to indulge in seasonal favorites like pumpkin spice donuts, caramel apples, apple cider, and more. Some communities even hosted food trucks serving up savory snacks, while others set up caramel apple stations complete with all the toppings. With cozy lighting, hay bales, and festive decorations everywhere, the atmosphere was perfect for sitting back and soaking in the autumn ambiance. Why Resident Appreciation Day Matters Resident Appreciation Day isn’t just about throwing a great party (although we certainly love to do that!). It’s our way of saying thank you to the incredible residents who make Morguard such a vibrant, welcoming place to live. We know that creating a true sense of community goes beyond offering great amenities—it’s about recognizing and celebrating the people who call our communities home. Every year, we look forward to this day as a chance to show our gratitude and make sure our residents know just how much we value them. Whether you’re a long-time resident or have just joined the Morguard family, we want you to feel at home and appreciated. You’re the reason our communities thrive, and we couldn’t be prouder to have you with us. Looking Back and Looking Ahead As we look back on this year’s “Pick of the Patch” celebration, we’re filled with pride and gratitude for the sense of community and togetherness that came through at every event. The laughter, the creativity, the memories made—these are the things that truly make Morguard living feel like home. While the pumpkins may fade and the petting zoos pack up, the spirit of Resident Appreciation Day lives on. We’re already dreaming up next year’s celebration, and we can’t wait to see how we can make it even bigger and better. One thing’s for sure: our residents will always be the pick of the patch ! Thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s Resident Appreciation Day. From all of us at Morguard Living, we appreciate you more than words can say. Here’s to another year of community, fun, and living life to the fullest! Until next year… 🍁🎃

Community Highlight: Apartment Living at 1643 Josephine

Nestled in the heart of New Orleans, 1643 Josephine is rich with history, community, and activity. Year after year, the allure of New Orleans captivates newcomers, tourists, and residents alike. Embracing apartment living in this diverse city offers an experience unlike any other. Living in an apartment in New Orleans means immersing yourself in a community as diverse as the city itself. From artists to young professionals and retirees, your neighbors are a reflection of what makes this city so special. Our rental community is a proud part of this vibrant community. At 1643 Josephine, several distinctive features set our property apart, making it truly special. Life at Our Community 1643 Josephine Apartments, located in the Lower Garden District of New Orleans, is a part of a unique community. Once boasting mansions and commerce along the Mississippi River, the neighborhood now charms with its picturesque streetscapes. From Victorian-era homes, trendy boutiques, and thriving arts scene, there is distinct character at the Lower Garden District. Morguard's goal with 1643 Josephine was to integrate into the community by completely remodeling an existing property. We wanted to breathe new life into an old building and positively contribute to the local community. The Lower Garden District has historical significance, and we knew how important a successful integration was. Check out this video to learn more about our past remodel. Beyond the physical property, residents know that they are a part of an apartment community that cares. Morguard apartments uphold a high standard for resident experiences. Our teams are wholeheartedly dedicated to caring for the communities they serve. Life in the City An important part of our community is the local city. Residents do not need to go far to feel the excitement of New Orleans living. The Lower Garden District of New Orleans boasts a storied past, rich with architecture and culture. Near Magazine Street, residents have convenient access to a plethora of dining, shopping, and entertainment options. The neighborhood boasts a variety of offerings, from charming boutiques and art galleries to upscale restaurants and vibrant bars. Furthermore, residents can explore the New Orleans Warehouse District, Tulane Ave, and Historic French Quarter with ease. Located just steps from the St. Charles Streetcar line, residents can conveniently utilize public transportation. Ultimately, 1643 Josephine has an unbeatable location. Of course, no discussion of New Orleans apartment living would be complete without mentioning the food. You can discover world-class restaurants and hidden eateries just steps from your front door. If you take the challenge, every meal can become a culinary adventure. Because of our convenient location, there is a wide variety of amazing food readily available for our residents. Overall, the city's culinary scene is impossible to overstate. From Mardi Gras to Jazz Fest, living in New Orleans means front-row seats to some of the biggest celebrations in the world. You can watch parades from your balcony or join in the dancing in the streets with thousands of revelers. You cannot replicate the energy at these events anywhere else. The living experience in New Orleans wouldn't be complete without lively music and culture. Live jazz performances and cultural festivals happen year-round. Residents never have to look far to experience the unique magic of the Crescent City. New Orleans has faced its fair share of challenges. However, the people have always come together to rebuild, reinvent, and revitalize. Many share there is a valuable sense of closeness and unity in the city. Living in New Orleans means being part of a community that looks out for one another. Supporting local businesses and forging connections is an important part of the resident experience. If you let it, New Orleans will help you make memories that will last a lifetime. Ultimately, it's the people and culture that make New Orleans truly special. We designed 1643 Josephine to reflect the essence of community, embodying the heart and soul of the city. - If you're searching for a place to rent in New Orleans, look no further than 1643 Josephine Apartments. 1643 Josephine has an unbeatable location, luxurious amenities, and strong sense of community. Morguard's Louisiana property is the perfect place to experience the authentic charm of the New Orleans. With its rich culture, vibrant community, and endless opportunities for adventure, it's a rental experience you won't regret. Visit us at 1643 Josephine and discover what it means to enjoy the magic of this vibrant city. You'll find that every day brings new adventures and unforgettable experiences.

Celebrating Service Team Appreciation Week

Every year, we set aside time to celebrate all our onsite team does for our communities. Service Team Appreciation Week allows us to highlight the special individuals who keep our communities functional, beautiful, and well-maintained. With a wide-spread team across 10 states, celebrating our team's great work is an important part of our workplace culture. This annual celebration is our small way of showing support and appreciation. Why our Service Team is so Important The Service Team's work is instrumental in the resident experience we offer at Morguard. This team's members are extremely hands-on and interact directly with our residents daily. At our communities, residents love our hardworking team and got involved with this year's celebration. As \a result, we received over 460 thank you notes from residents across the nation throughout the week! "Thank you to the Morguard Service Team for all you do to keep our living spaces running smoothly and in good order! You are always responsive to maintenance requests, making for a positive living experience . Thank you so much for all your hard work throughout the years! It does not go unnoticed," shared one resident from Alta at K Station. We're proud of how this team represents Morguard in our communities every day! Without their hands-on help, our team could not create such a welcoming community. Apartment living is truly elevated thanks to their hard work, dedication, and knowledge. "I love our maintenance team at Coast! You’re always friendly, knowledgeable, and professional but, most importantly, I trust you. Thank you for all your hard work," shared a Coast at Lakeshore East resident. Now that we understand why we celebrate Service Team Appreciation Week annually - let's look at how we celebrated this year’s event! How We Celebrated Our Service Team in 2024 Since 2020, we have designated time to celebrate the Service Team at each rental community across the United States. This year's overarching theme was "Thank you for nurturing our community." With this theme, our goal was to acknowledge how our service team members uniquely support our communities. Showing individualized appreciation during this week is an important aspect of supporting them in return. Throughout the week, we celebrated together with food, treats, and more! These different events created a positive space for both team bonding and festivity. During the week, members of our corporate teams visited different properties to help with service team tasks. This gave our corporate and leadership teams a chance to learn more about the tasks that the service teams do regularly. Everyone got to opportunity to view the kind words residents left for them. Hearing thanks from specific residents who appreciate their consistent effort was impactful and inspiring. Thanking our team consistently throughout the week allows us to emphasize their valuable work in our communities. Service Team Appreciation Week 2024 was extra special thanks to our residents' kind thank you notes. We would also like to thank our numerous sponsors including HD Supply, Chadwell Supply, and more. They helped us treat and serve our Service Team throughout the celebrations. Morguard apartments are truly a better place thanks to our wonderful Service Team.

Celebrating our 2023 Success in LLS Fundraising

This year, we came together once again to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), participating in events like the Light the Night Walks and hosting our annual LLS Golf Tournament. Our joint commitment to supporting those affected by blood cancers led to substantial financial contributions and we’re proud to share the results of our fundraising efforts this year. Through our associates’ and residents’ support, along with Morguard's fundraising match, we raised over $51k in contributions. In addition to our onsite efforts and the Morguard corporate match, we hosted our annual LLS Golf Tournament. The funds raised during the tournament amounted to over $40k thanks to the vendors, volunteers, and stakeholders involved. Top Contributors and Teams Our success in fundraising is a testament to the dedication of our teams who went above and beyond in their efforts. The top three teams that stood out for their outstanding contributions were: 1. Morguard-Chicago: $17,975 2. Morguard-Ft. Lauderdale: $3,286 3. Morguard-Palm Beach: $2,890 In addition to team efforts, individual contributors played a crucial role in fundraising. We want to express our gratitude to Samantha Heckert, who raised $5,750. We also want to thank our top non-corporate contributors, including Samantha Braun, who raised $5,050, and Farryl Lawson, for contributing $1,145. Total Funds Raised in 2023 When combining all contributions from our LLS fundraising efforts, our total donation for the year reached $91,617.34, marking our highest contribution since we began supporting this important cause. We would like to extend our greatest thanks to our vendors, associates, residents, and stakeholders who played a vital role in this year’s fundraising achievements. And as we reflect on this year’s success, we look forward to continuing to make a positive impact on the lives of those affected by blood cancers.

Highlights from our 2023 RAD Extravaganza

Come one, come all to our Resident Appreciation Day (RAD) Extravaganza! Join us as we look back on the festivities of Morguard's 3rd Annual RAD event that took place on Friday, August 18th. From magicians, clowns, and dunk tanks to carnival games, phot booths and face painters, we brought out all the carnival excitement! And of course, no carnival event would be complete without tried-and-true carnival treats like cotton candy, snow cone, and popcorn machines, hot dogs, nachos, and mini donuts. One of our favorite parts of the celebration was getting to see some of our favorite furry residents make an appearance as we held a national pet photo contest. The pet with the best photos rocking one of our bandanas won a 3-month BarkBox subscription! We were excited to crown Barbeque, furry resident of Lumina Hollywood , the winner of this year’s pet photo contest (featured above)! As we reflect this year’s RAD events, we want to express our gratitude to every resident who joined in the festivities. You made this year's celebration truly unforgettable.

The Return of Our North Pole Express Donation Drive!

At Morguard, we understand the importance serving our local communities. That’s why it’s one of our core values. In addition to our annual golf tournament benefitting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, last year we embarked on a new tradition to give back, called “The North Pole Express.” We’re excited to announce that this program will be returning this year. The North Pole Express is a Morguard U.S.- wide, holiday-themed donation drive which takes place across the span of 6 weeks. Last year, our “North Pole Express” made three “stops” to collect food, toys, and coats in partnership with Feeding America, Toys 4 Tots, and One Warm Coat. And because of the overwhelming support and donations from our communities, we contributed 5,125 pounds of food, 1,496 toys, and 782 coats nationwide. We’re so grateful for the generosity of our residents and associates who truly made it all possible. This year, we’re partnering with Comfort Cases . Comfort Cases a national non-profit organization whose mission is to help provide hope and dignity to children in foster care by providing them with “comfort cases” or backpacks that contain items like books, pajamas, and hygiene products. Driven by the sad truth that many children who enter the foster care system travel with their belongings in trash bags, Comfort Cases aims to put an end to this travesty, one “comfort case” at a time. From November 1st through December 14th, we will be making 3 “stops” to collect books, bears & blankets, and essential items for children in need at our participating locations. Please see accepted donations below.* We would like to thank you for being a part of this journey with us. At our core, we hope to make a difference, and we believe that together, we can change the world. Accepted Donations 2022 Thank you for considering donating! This year, we will only be able to accept donations of new items except for gently used books. We truly appreciate your understanding. Essentials • Travel size shampoo & conditioner • Travel size body wash or soap and lotion • Feminine products • Toothbrushes (youth & adult, 1-3 pack only) • Deodorant • Baby wipes, washcloths, bibs, lotion, toothbrushes • Diaper cream Books • Journals • Pens and pencils • Crayons • Books (all ages )*see note below • Coloring books • Book bags Bears & Blankets • Pajamas • Blankets • Stuffed animals *Please refrain from donating books whose titles pertain to parents or have a religious/ holiday theme. Thank you!

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