The Penny vs The Jay
Which Community Is Right For You?
The Penny on College Main and The Jay are both new-construction communities opening in the Northgate District for Fall 2027. This guide walks through how each one is set up, so you can figure out which fits how you actually want to live.
If you've been searching for TAMU off-campus housing, chances are The Penny on College Main and The Jay have both come up. They're a short walk from each other in the Northgate District, both opening for Fall 2027, and both offer fully furnished units with in-unit washers and dryers. From there, they're built around some genuinely different priorities. Here's what each one offers, so you can weigh them against what actually matters to you.
Where you live shapes your daily walk or bike to class, and how close you are to Northgate's restaurants and nightlife.
Located at 415 College Main St, at College Main and Cherry in the heart of the Northgate District. An easy walk to TAMU's campus and to the Northgate Entertainment District's restaurants and shops.
Located at 313 College Ave, at the corner of College Avenue and University Drive as part of the Legacy Point development. Also an easy walk to campus, with its own retail on the ground floor facing the street.
Bedroom count and square footage affect both your monthly cost per person and how much room you'll actually have to spread out.
17 floor plans from studio through 5-bedroom, including two-story townhome options, all built with bed-to-bath parity so every bedroom gets its own bathroom.
| Studio | 437 SF |
| 1-Bedroom | 599 SF |
| 2-Bedroom | 774–888 SF |
| 3-Bedroom | 1,153 SF |
| 4-Bedroom | 1,312–1,782 SF |
| 5-Bedroom | 1,511–2,035 SF |
29 floor plans from studio through 6-bedroom, the wider bedroom-count range of the two communities.
| Studio | 430 SF |
| 1-Bedroom | 535–545 SF |
| 2-Bedroom | 770–847 SF |
| 3-Bedroom | 1,070–1,108 SF |
| 4-Bedroom | 1,306–1,550 SF |
| 5-Bedroom | 1,672–1,676 SF |
| 6-Bedroom | 1,948–2,064 SF |
What's bundled into your monthly installment affects what else you'll need to budget for on move-in day.
- Furnished bedroom: full-sized extra-long bed, study desk and chair, dresser, nightstand
- Furnished living room
- Full kitchen: refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, dining area
- Hardwood-style flooring and in-unit washer/dryer
- Community amenity access and after-hours lockout/maintenance support
- Premium Wi-Fi internet
- Fully furnished unit: bed, dresser, desk and chair, living room set
- In-unit washer/dryer
- 50" Smart TV in the living room
- Parking, amenity access, and on-call staff
The shared spaces are where a lot of day-to-day life happens between classes.
- Resort-style pool and pickleball court
- Fitness center and multiple study spaces on residential floors
- Pet washroom and relief area
- Package lockers and an on-site automated market
- EV chargers and water bottle filling stations
- In-house coffee shop, Daydreamer
- Private study rooms and open study seating
- Wellness suite: sauna, red light therapy room, outdoor cold plunges, yoga studio
- Club room and game room
- Courtyard pool with cabanas, fire pits, and a jumbotron
How you get from your unit to your car, or your bike, is worth knowing before you tour.
Offers both reserved and unreserved on-site parking options for residents.
Offers on-site parking in a controlled-access garage for an added $30 fee, plus secure bike storage and exterior bike racks for riding to class.
What Matters Most To You?
Use whichever list below matches your priorities as a starting point, then tour both to see the space in person.
The Penny Wins If You Want:
- Every bedroom with its own private bathroom, at every floor plan size
- More room to spread out at comparable bed counts, up to 2,035 SF in a 5-bedroom townhome
- A dedicated pet washroom and relief area
- EV charging and water bottle filling stations on residential floors
- Package lockers and an on-site automated market for late-night snacks
The Jay Wins If You Want:
- More floor plan variety, including a 6-bedroom option
- A dedicated wellness suite with sauna, red light therapy, and outdoor cold plunges
- An in-house coffee shop for a daily coffee run without leaving the building
- A courtyard pool scene with cabanas, fire pits, and a jumbotron for gameday
- Secure indoor bike storage
Check Out Both If You Want:
- A fully furnished unit, down to the mattress and desk
- An in-unit washer and dryer, no shared laundry room
- On-site parking options
- A resident fitness center
- A short walk to TAMU and the Northgate Entertainment District
The Penny on College Main is an Equal Housing Opportunity community.
Details for The Jay reflect that community's own published materials as of this writing and are provided for informational comparison only; confirm current terms, pricing, and availability directly with each leasing office before signing.
