Where Living Is Easy High-End Apartment Complexes Offer Resort-Style Amenities by Alan B. Nichols Embassy personnel searching for a viable alternative to a house could scour the Washington metro area for weeks and not come up with a wiser choice than the luxury apartments at the Grand in North Bethesda, Md., the Metropolitan of Arlington, Va., and 3883 Connecticut Avenue in Washington, D.C. Urban living has never felt so good as in these three ultra high-end apartment complexes, all of which offer hotel- or resort-style services and amenities virtually unheard of in the apartment industry just a few years ago. When you rent at these complexes, you not only get a luxury living unit but an entire community filled with abundant opportunities to socialize, network, work out and participate in such programs as yoga or arts and craftsóall of which are just outside the door. Renting an apartment at these complexes has the additional advantage of leasing flexibility, which is usually not available with houses. That may be particularly important for Washington diplomats whose assignments are either short term or unpredictable in length. And then there are those who simply prefer the comfort a nd convenience of apartments to houses. The Grand The Grand, located on a hill overlooking North Bethesda, has been aptly named by its developer and management company, Forest City Enterprises (FCE) of Cleveland. Featuring 546 one- to three-bedroom apartment ìhomes,î including signature and 2,300-square-foot penthouse suites, this 18-story high rise takes the concepts of luxury and privacy to new levels. The theme at the Grand, like that of the residences at Ritz-Carlton in Washington, is ìladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen.î FCE, an investment partner with Ritz-Carlton, adopted that theme to convey the Grandís same sense of dedication to service as that of the famous hotel firm. ìAt the Grand, we are not leasing an apartment but a lifestyle,î said Samuel Morrison, the Grandís general manager. ìService, service, serviceóthatís our motto.î Everything about the Grand has the look and feel of a world-class hotel. Upon entering the gated property, where security is among the tightest in Washington, visitors drive over a brick driveway to the hotel-like entranceway, where valet serviceóavailable 24 hours a day, seven days a weekótakes care of your car. They then step into a luxuriously large lobby with granite floors and a barrel ceiling reminiscent of an old European-style railway station. The artwork, colorful flower arrangements and tall potted plants lend an atmosphere of gentility and refinement. Further away from the lobby are mahogany-paneled hospitality suites, where residents can socialize over coffee and play backgammon, chess or cards, or where guests of residents, if they so wish, can stay overnight. Recently, management hosted a post-Isabel hurricane cocktail party for the residents in one of the suites. These suites are complemented by a private kitchen and dining room, as well as a conference room and ballroom, all of which are available for rent and are ideal for weddings and other special occasions or business meetings. Upon request, the Grandís full-time concierge can arrange for outside caterers and music. Similar to service at the finest hotels, the concierge handles such sundry duties as making reservations at local restaurants, procuring travel or event tickets, or arranging dry-cleaning pickup and delivery. On the ground floor of the Grand is a health club and fitness center with a phalanx of aerobic machines. ìWe call this ëthe Ballyís of the Grand,íî said Morrison. The center includes indoor and outdoor pools, steam and dry saunas, a tanning salon, a playroom for kids and massage rooms. A full-time fitness instructor supervises an activity program that challenges even the most energetic adult and child residents. Just off the fitness center is a large and inviting flagstone patio adjacent to a small garden, tree copse and putting green. The private living quarters feature plush pile carpeting, kitchenettes with stainless steel appliances and graphite countertops, utility areas with washers and dryers, and roomy walk-in closets. The three-bedroom, two-bath penthouse suite has an entryway with Bottocino marble floors and a gas fireplace. The penthouse and 950-square-foot signature suites have utility rooms and elegant bathrooms with Jacuzzi tubs, a separate shower area and double sinks. All suites also have ìcategory-fiveî or bundled wiring designed for multiple electronics. The Grand offers leases ranging from three months to two years, and upon request, it can put the lease in the name of a diplomatís sponsoring embassy. Although residents typically furnish their own units, the Grand can also arrange for furnishing if requested. The average monthly rent of all units is $2,400. The Grand 5801 Nicholson Lane North Bethesda, MD 20852 (301) 287-5801 www.thegrandapartments.com The Metropolitan Across from the Potomac River in an attractive, tree-lined section of Arlington, Va.ónot far from the Army Navy Country Club, the Pentagon and Ronald Reagan National Airportóstands the Metropolitan of Arlington, a brand new garden-style apartment complex with the atmosphere, look and feel of a luxury resort. Built and managed by KSI Services, Inc., a private land development and property management company in Northern Virginia, the Metropolitan features 190 one- and two-bedroom rental garden apartments painted in fresh earth tones and featuring nine-foot ceilings, crown molding, track lighting, maple cabinetry and wood countertops in the kitchenettes. Built in an architectural style dominated by wood, the low-level complex has a seashore-like ambience. The living units come in nine layouts with names such as Antigua, Barbados, St. Lucia and Martinique. The property is marketed with an adventurous safari theme. ìSwankyî has been used to describe the Metropolitan, as has ìliving for discerning residents.î The complex offers what is also referred to as boutique living, complete with full-time concierge service. The Metropolitan is laid out in sections connected by attractive breezeways that surround an inner courtyard. This sense of enclosure creates an atmosphere of seclusion or, as it says in the marketing materials, ìa respite from the outside world.î The clubhouse-style entrance with lobby has a cyber cafÈ with high-speed Internet access. Off the cafÈ is the 25-meter outdoor lap pool. There is also a full-service, state-of-the-art fitness center with Nautilus equipment, treadmill machines, stationary bikes and free weights. Other amenities include a large-screen media room, billiard room, business and meeting rooms, and controlled-access buildings and parking lots. The company has several other properties in the Washington metro area and offers residents use of all its facilities free of charge under an amenity called Club Metropolitan. Like other high-end apartment properties, the Metropolitan offers variable leases, and its location makes it ideal for embassy personnel who need easy access to Washington, area airports and other popular destinations. The Metropolitan of Arlington 2311 South 25th St. Arlington, VA 22206 (703) 979-2500 www.metropolitanapartments.net 3883 Connecticut Avenue Convenient to Washingtonís Embassy Row and offering sophistication and refined living in an urban setting, 3883 Connecticut Avenue is a luxury apartment complex that lies in the center of the Districtís Cleveland Park area, known for its vibrant, upscale shops, entertainment and restaurants. The modern high rise was designed by Gregg Pasquarelli, who completed plans for the complex in 1999. In an inventive mix of modern and classic, the New York architect designed a lobby juxtaposing warm brick and Venetian plaster with large expanses of glass-tinted polished concrete in an open space of luxurious modern furnishings. This creative design blend is evident throughout the building as well. The complex offers units with a variety of layouts including studios, one bedrooms, two bedrooms, and one and two bedrooms with dens. The wide range of extra options include fireplaces and balconies with French doors, while standard features include full-size washers and dryers, walk-in closets, attractive kitchenettes with breakfast bars and oval bathtubs. The living units range in price from $1,200 to $3,750 per month; the penthouse suites start at $1,965 per month and all have stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and Italian tile kitchen floors. Among t he complexís many amenities are a rooftop pool, fully equipped fitness center, coffee bar, and 24-hour concierge and business center with a conference room. 3883 Connecticut Avenue 3883 Connecticut Ave., NW Washington, DC 20008 (202) 237-0098 www.3883connave.com Alan B. Nichols is a freelance writer in Bethesda, Md.