507 S. Second — Champaign Student Housing Review (2026–2027)
Who this residence is for
507 S. Second is a purpose-built student apartment building located within walking distance of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus and the main university quad. It is designed primarily for university students who want a secure, amenity-rich living environment with individual bedrooms and bathrooms. The property is a strong fit for two main groups:
1. Students who prioritise privacy and personal space. The building offers 4-bedroom/4-bathroom units, meaning each resident gets their own lockable bedroom and private bathroom. This is rare in Champaign’s student housing stock at this price level. Reviewers consistently highlight the value of this arrangement. Resident Beccie Dworschak writes: “4 bed/4 bath allows for personal space and privacy.”
2. Students who want a secure, modern building with key amenities. The property features key fob access for the building and common amenities, a lift (elevator), in-unit laundry facilities, and a gym. Several residents mention feeling safe. Dworschak adds: “Building and amenities are secured with key fob access which gives serious peace of mind.”
3. Students who prefer a short, walkable commute to the university. The building is a short walk to the university quad, with bus stops also located just down the street. This is convenient for students whose classes are on the main campus.
Who this residence is not for
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Budget-conscious students seeking the lowest possible rent. Champaign’s city-wide from-price is USD 579 per month (2026 data). 507 S. Second starts at USD 925 per month (indicative — confirm with the operator). This is significantly above the cheapest options in the city. Students on a tight budget will find more affordable shared flats or older purpose-built buildings in the area.
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Students who want a short lease or flexible move-in. The property is available from 1 August 2026, which is a standard academic-year lease start. No minimum lease term is published in the data, but this is almost certainly a standard 12-month academic lease (August to July). Students needing a semester-only rental or a mid-year move-in may find limited options here.
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Students who prefer a self-catered, communal house or off-campus apartment without a management office. This is a professionally managed building with front-desk staff and maintenance response procedures. Residents who prefer a landlord-free experience might find the property too structured.
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Students who do not want to share a flat with other students. All unit types (1b, 2b, 3b, 4b) imply shared common areas like a kitchen and living room. The 1-bedroom units are the only self-contained options, and availability may be limited.
What residents actually say
The property holds a Google rating of 4.4 out of 5 from 89 reviews. Below are the full verbatim reviews from verified residents:
Advaid Vijaya Krishnan (5 stars): “I moved into Suites at Third last month and it has been a very pleasant experience so far. Comfort and convenience is unbeatable. Would highly recommend it…very accessible as well with bus stops being a minute away.”
Beccie Dworschak (5 stars): “Great community to live in! Building and amenities are secured with key fob access which gives serious peace of mind. 4 bed/4 bath allows for personal space and privacy. Short walk to the university quad and bus stops just down the street. Staff are always helpful & maintenance requests are addressed promptly.”
Tia Probst (5 stars): “Madison was INCREDIBLE to work with! You can tell she loves her job and wants to help in any way she can! I would recommend her help to anyone! So impressed!”
These reviews indicate that residents highly value the security, privacy of the 4-bed/4-bath layout, the responsive staff and maintenance, and the walkable location to campus. The comment about “Madison” suggests specific leasing staff members can provide excellent service, though individual experiences may vary.
Price positioning vs Champaign’s from-price
- Champaign city from-price: USD 579 per month (indicative — confirm with the operator). This is the lowest available rent across all student properties in the city.
- 507 S. Second price range: USD 925 – USD 1,685 per month (indicative). This is 60% to 190% above the city’s cheapest option.
The building is positioned in the mid-to-upper tier of Champaign student accommodation. It is not a luxury property, but it commands a premium over older, shared flats without key fob security or in-unit laundry. The price reflects the privacy (private bathrooms), modern amenities (gym, lift, laundry), and a location that is walkable to the university.
For comparison, students can find shared houses or basic apartments starting around USD 579, but these will typically have shared bathrooms, no key-fob security, fewer amenities, and potentially longer walks or bus commutes. The pricing at 507 S. Second is competitive for what it offers but is not the cheapest in town.
Room type guidance
The building offers four unit types:
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1-bedroom (1b): Best for students who want complete privacy and do not want to share a bathroom or kitchen. Likely to be the most expensive per person (USD 1,685 upper end of range is indicative of this type). Suitable for PhD students, mature students, or those who simply prefer living alone.
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2-bedroom (2b): A good middle ground. You share one bathroom with one roommate. Usually cheaper per person than a 1-bedroom but more expensive per person than a 3b or 4b.
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3-bedroom (3b): Balances privacy and affordability. You share one or two bathrooms with two other people. Per-person cost is lower than 2b or 1b.
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4-bedroom (4b): The most cost-effective per person. Data shows this is the most popular layout, largely because each bedroom has its own private bathroom. The price for a 4b unit is likely at the lower end of the USD 925–1,685 range. This is the best value for students who want a private room and bathroom but a shared common area.
Recommendation: If your budget allows, the 4-bedroom/4-bathroom layout is the most frequently praised by residents and offers the best balance of cost, privacy, and security.
Booking timing
The property is available from 1 August 2026. For students attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, this aligns with the standard fall semester start.
Typical booking windows for Champaign student housing:
- October–December 2025: Early bird bookings. You may have the widest choice of room types and floor plans. The best 4-bedroom units are likely to be taken first.
- January–March 2026: Mid-season. Some units and layouts will still be available, but popular configurations (e.g., 4b units on higher floors) may be limited.
- April–July 2026: Late season. Availability tightens. You will likely have fewer options but may find last-minute vacancies.
Given the building’s strong reviews and location, booking by early 2026 (no later than March) is advisable if you want a specific room type, especially a 4-bedroom unit. For a 1-bedroom unit, which is rarer, earlier booking is recommended.
FAQ
Is 507 S. Second safe for students?
Based on resident reviews and property data, the building has a key fob access system for both the building and common amenities. Resident Beccie Dworschak specifically mentions that this gives “serious peace of mind.” The property also has front-desk staff and maintenance personnel who respond promptly. No security concerns are mentioned in the available reviews. However, you should always research the immediate neighbourhood yourself, including street-level lighting and proximity to campus.
How far is it from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign?
The building is a short walk to the main university quad, and bus stops are located just down the street. Resident Advaid Vijaya Krishnan notes that bus stops are “a minute away.” The exact walking time will vary depending on your destination building on campus, but the location is considered very walkable and well-served by public transport.
Can I choose my roommates or get matched?
This property is a professionally managed student building. You can typically request specific roommates when you book. If you do not have a group, the management will assign you housemates from other student applicants. The 4-bedroom/4-bathroom layout means you will have your own bedroom and bathroom, so you have more personal space regardless of who you live with. Contact the building’s leasing office for their specific roommate matching policy.
Sources & data date
Sources: Google Reviews, property listing data from Amberstudent (inventory ID 241504). Data as of July 2026.
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