Brexx at State College, state-college-pa

SAVE YOURSELF THE HASSLE do not sign here!!!! The place is spacious and a good distance from campus; not so far from downtown that walking is a hassle (30 mins), but the bus is always there (FOR NOW lol they got rid of bus passes next year!! I'll get into that later). However, the management is a joke and it's clear the property is falling into neglect. My sink and dishwasher clogged about 3 times to no fault of our own, I kept telling them it's an issue with the piping connecting them and they just would lazily shove a drain snake down it and call it a day (and leave the dirty drain snake on the floor or on the counter! picture below, the grime in the sink is from the clog they barely fixed). The dishwasher had disgusting, murky water filling in it for days before they did anything the last time! It smelled awful. They just filled the pool and hot tub for the summer, and I was so excited to actually use it! I got in my swimsuit and everything just to see that the pool was disgusting. They literally only filled it and there's like, a film over the top and bottom (pics of this included too - yes it looks empty in the last two, the water is just hard to see in these pics. I promise it's there). Needless to say I did not go swimming. Why am I paying for amenities for them to do the bare minimum? Also, they got rid of the catabus pass for next year. Thank god I didn't re-sign because I literally rely on the catabus! My roommate called and asked them what exactly that means because she re-signed, which is where I got this info - they are going to have their own shuttle next year, but it's a small bus. Are they aware of how many students line up at the bus stop every morning? And they're marketing it like it's a good thing, but honestly it's going to be so dysfunctional with the track record the management here has. They say it'll come every 10 minutes but that just sounds so unrealistic to me. 5 mins one way downtown is unrealistic with traffic and people getting on and off the bus. The catabus takes 15 one way, and not to mention the Brexx bus will only have 2 stops (downtown and "campus") and not various stops on campus, or connecting shuttles to places like Walmart or Target for those without a car. I'm so fed up with the Brexx, I cannot wait to move out. It's a shame because the property itself is really nice, hence the 2 stars. It would be awesome living here if management wasn't like this. You have to beg them to fix any sort of problem or do anything that slightly inconveniences them. Usually the people at the front desk are great and willing to help, but the managers are the problem. I feel bad for the front desk people.

Although the transition from the Retreat to the Brexx was a little rocky, I am beyond thrilled that this is the place we chose for my daughter to live while in State College. The price to rent is beyond reasonable for the number of amenities and activities they host for residents. The private bedroom and bathroom have been exactly what she needed. It is the perfect distance from campus and enjoys riding the bus. The staff has been responsive to the few needs we had. Knowing that there is evening security makes me feel better and rest easier. If you are looking for the perfect home away from home to have the perfect college experience but also know your child is living in a safe community, look no further than the Brexx.

I'm an international student preparing to move in, and The Brexx (especially Maeve!) have been SO helpful and made this process as stress-free as possible, answering my endless questions and helping to get around certain things given my international status. I'm very much forward to moving in and cannot thank Maeve, and The Brexx enough for their help!

DO NOT LEASE HERE! This place has completely fallen apart. I’ve noticed the entire staff has been replaced and they are the worst. They were recently bought out by University Partners which has had a noticeable negative effect on the place. I rented here because it seemed nice during my tour, but it seemed to be a facade. There is trash littering everywhere, management is unhelpful, and many of the amenities have been removed. They have gotten rid of the shuttle bus, and soon the free bus pass access. The previously offered free tea and coffee is slowly emptying and not being replaced. That's not even the end of it! They are now charging to park your own car there and still continue to raise rent! I won’t be surprised if they keep removing these previously free amenities. I tried talking with the new manager “Mandee” but she says much of it is not her but some corporate guy “Tom” making these changes. Many of my friends that have moved out have also received major charges for non-existent move out fees that are completely nonsense. They spam call you nonstop to ask to renew even if you say you are not interested. When you go to the office to ask for something or get a package the workers seem too busy to help or not there at all. I will be leaving and I highly recommend that nobody lease here. It is falling apart and you will have the worst housing experience known in Penn State.

My experience at the Brexx (formerly the Retreat) has been God-awful since new management took over in the summer of 2024. The new manager does not return phone calls ever and it is a wild goose chase to try and speak with her. She is always in a "meeting," probably to spend more money on nonsense activities that frankly no residents care about. My apartment has had countless and numerous issues -- the heat broke in November, leaving the apartment without heat for over a week. After that was "fixed," the vents were pumping out 150ºF heat constantly, leaving our gas bill extremely high and bedrooms reaching 101ºF while it was below freezing temperatures outside. As Grace Friel stated, trash is not being picked up after the snow. I have been overcharged on utilities twice now, due to the Brexx's own fault. Snow removal (if you can even call it that) was egregious, meanwhile all other apartment complexes with parking had the lots cleared. My stove/oven, dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer have all broken numerous times since I moved in, and it is impossible to get maintenance to come in a timely manner. My roommate's room has a major water leak, and we were told "there's nothing we can do about it until the ice melts." The living conditions are beyond horrible for over $1,100 a month. I am appalled that anyone is signing new leases here with all of these negative reviews. The management is uncommunicative, disrespectful of their residents, unhelpful, and overall incompetent at their jobs. I regret renewing my lease here after the first year - however, I was lied to that management changed for a second time. It should be a crime for how University Partners and the Brexx treat their residents, and I believe most of the other people living here would agree.