PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA — AVE, the apartment brand operated by Korman Communities, has launched a redesigned digital leasing platform as it prepares for further expansion in the growing rental housing market, following more than a decade of portfolio growth and entry into new metropolitan areas.
The company said its apartment portfolio has grown from 1,293 units in 2010 to 5,194 units in 2025, while revenue has increased to roughly 4.6 times its 2010 level. AVE currently owns and manages more than 6,000 apartments across 20 properties in eight markets spanning seven states.
The platform overhaul comes as rental housing providers seek to attract consumers increasingly making housing decisions online and as demand rises for furnished and flexible-living arrangements.
According to the company, half of its furnished apartment business now comes directly from individuals rather than corporate relocation clients, reflecting changes in housing preferences driven by relocation, downsizing, career mobility and extended travel.
To support that shift, AVE introduced a new website featuring real-time booking capabilities, mobile-focused navigation and tools designed to simplify apartment searches for both furnished and traditional rentals. The platform was developed in partnership with London-based agency Matter of Form and incorporates technology from SynXis and Yardi.
“Housing preferences are evolving, and AVE is continuing to evolve with them,” said Lea Anne Welsh, chief operating officer of Korman Communities and president of AVE. She said the company views the platform as part of a broader effort to reduce friction in the leasing process.
The company’s recent expansion has included new properties in Phoenix, Santa Clara, California, and Tampa, Florida.
AVE said occupancy levels at recently opened communities indicate continued demand for rental housing in certain markets. AVE Santa Clara, which opened in February 2025, reached 95% occupancy within seven months, while AVE Hamilton Green – 5 Cottage in White Plains, New York, achieved the same occupancy level within nine months of its September 2025 opening.
The company is also adapting property amenities based on resident usage patterns. Recent additions include outdoor recreation equipment at its Santa Clara property, expanded coworking facilities across its portfolio and a recording studio at AVE Normandy at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.
The changes come as multifamily housing operators compete for renters through service offerings, flexible living arrangements and digital leasing capabilities rather than relying solely on traditional apartment inventory growth.
AVE is part of Korman Communities, a fifth-generation real estate company based in suburban Philadelphia.
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