Bisnow Confidential: "Cross-Generational" Apartments
Many multifamily developments these days are meant to appeal to Millennials. Others try to attract empty nesters. Virginia developer Sonny Small has created a new category he hopes will appeal to both. He sees "active lifestyle" as the common denominator, and this week rolled out 360 units to make his case.
Here's Sonny at the grand opening with nearly 101-year-old Reston founder Bob Simon and Fairfax Supervisor Cathy Hudgins. The active lifestyle certainly fits Bob.
With business partner Doug Erdman under the name Renaissance Centro, Sonny's already built 1,000 condos and apartments at Reston Town Center, and is in planning there on another site for luxury condos. Meantime, his new offering, "The Harrison" (a Small family name), consists of these two 14-story towers, with a low-slung connector containing 30k SF of amenities.
Like a high-end fitness facility, rooms for spinning and yoga, an indoor lap pool with giant skylight so you feel warm sun in the winter, a demonstration kitchen, indoor golf, TV room, and co-working and conference space so you can office out of your apartment. Also: gardens, 24-hour desk, and in this age of Amazon deliveries, an enormous package room. Walking distance to Whole Foods and Harris Teeter. A 1.1 mile shuttle ride to the Wiehle Station Metro, and when Phase 2 of the Silver Line arrives in '18, walking distance to the new Town Center Station Metro.
And of course, BBQ, fire pit, and another pool—on the roof.
No studios, but small one-bedrooms (700 feet) to 1,350 foot two-bedrooms and dens meant to make "renters by choice" feel at home. Priced from $1,800 a month to $5k for penthouses with large outdoor terraces.
Oh, and dog friendly. What age group would not like that?
Allow us to introduce Sherlock Bisnow, who is on the prowl for fascinating and profound stories. In various cities at various times, generally depending on the weather, he will be writing exclusives like the one above under the name Bisnow Confidential, even though the very act of publication renders the title meaningless. Keep him safely off the streets by emailing him: HotScoops@Bisnow.com.
