do you live in a luxury rental?

[Anonymous]

I am writing an article on the luxury rental market in the DC area and am looking for people who can talk about what they like about it, what kind of amenities are most useful, how easy it is to find rentals, etc... if you'd be up for talking about this, please email me at alphaconsumer (at) usnews (dot) com - thanks so much.

[Anonymous]

Define "luxury." It is a subjective term that is used to describe a lot of different things around here. Generally, I have found it used to describe crappy places. Trust me, as my mother forced me to bring her to any rental location that advertised itself as "luxury" a few years ago, after a divorce, and it became quite clear that the word is often used synonymously with "craphole."

[Anonymous]

That is a good point... for my story, I am thinking of luxury as places that offer certain amenities, such as concierge services, in-house gym, public areas, etc. It's hard to put a price on it but it seems that for a two-bedroom it would start at around $2,500 minimum with incentives but more often $3,000 and up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That is a good point... for my story, I am thinking of luxury as places that offer certain amenities, such as concierge services, in-house gym, public areas, etc. It's hard to put a price on it but it seems that for a two-bedroom it would start at around $2,500 minimum with incentives but more often $3,000 and up.

$2500 for a two bedroom will NOT get you a luxury apartment in a desireable neighborhood. We paid $2600 for a lovely two-bedroom in Logan Circle, which was nice and historic, but definitely NOT luxury. If you are thinking 24-hour conceirge, gym, etc., I would start looking at $3200 and up for a decent sized 2-bedroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is a good point... for my story, I am thinking of luxury as places that offer certain amenities, such as concierge services, in-house gym, public areas, etc. It's hard to put a price on it but it seems that for a two-bedroom it would start at around $2,500 minimum with incentives but more often $3,000 and up.

$2500 for a two bedroom will NOT get you a luxury apartment in a desireable neighborhood. We paid $2600 for a lovely two-bedroom in Logan Circle, which was nice and historic, but definitely NOT luxury. If you are thinking 24-hour conceirge, gym, etc., I would start looking at $3200 and up for a decent sized 2-bedroom.

Totally agree. $2500 for a 2 bedroom is market rate in the parts of DC that would offer "luxury" living.

[Anonymous]

You might want to target a few luxury rental buildings such as the Kennedy Warren's south wing, Lofts at Dupont Circle, View 14, etc. that are newer buildings and therefore likely to fit in your luxury definition, and leave a poster with their concierge service, rather than asking on an anonymous message board.

[Anonymous]

How bout Lion's Gate in Bethesda?

[Anonymous]

There are plenty of luxury apartments in Arlington/Rosslyn

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are plenty of luxury apartments in Arlington/Rosslyn

was going to add, that start at $3500 and up

[Anonymous]

I have friends who live in comfortable apartments with the amenities you describe in Bethesda, and what they love is the location - walkable to Metro, supermarkets, activities of all kinds. One of them even has a short dedicated walkway from her building to the Safeway.
They also appreciate the common room which you can reserve to have (birthday) parties.
2 bedrooms are about $3000.

Now I live in a building with 24 hour concierge service, gym and business center - but in downtown Silver Spring. While the Metro is 5 minutes away, it is NOT luxury. I think 2 bedrooms start at about $2000. The windows are all single pane - eek!

[Anonymous]

I live in an almost luxury building in a great location (downtown). Although I own, the rent is generally $3500-3700 for a two-bedroom. But, that doesn't get you a gym, 24-hour concierge, pool, or party room. I really miss those features, but I find the roof deck/daytime concierge/grills/density/community invaluable and enough of a draw for me to never want to live in a single family home.

[Anonymous]

I don't live in one, but have been to parties at either a luxury rental or luxury condo... where everything is like a loft- huge windows, high end kitchen, utilitarian styling.. and they type of amenities you describe, gym, concierge, coffee service in the morning, etc. These aren't like super high end, like the Car Garage in Georgetown, but reasonably high end and widely available throughout the city in DC. It wouldn't surprise me if this costs $3,000/month.

One friend who lived there- DH's friend- was a single, good-looking bachelor living it up. He took advantage of the building's rooftop hot tub, with ladies he'd meet in clubs/bars... and several ladies who lived in the building. He's a very social guy - but I got the sense the social "scene" was big in the building. You just don't get the same atmosphere, from living in a house or TH in the suburbs.

Other friends live in such a building- a couple- beautiful floor to ceiling cityscape views, small but gorgeously appointed apartment. Due to the market they can't sell, so are living there quite happily with a baby.