Condo and apartment owners are moving in

Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007

Condo and apartment owners are moving in

Sally Sternbach |

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I have been a suburban Maryland homeowner for 27 years and not kept up with the ‘‘urban living” market that has been developing in this county. So, it was with some surprise that I found myself one of 250 people who attended the grand opening of the Fenestra Apartments at Rockville Town Square.

They were of all types: empty-nesters looking to downsize (maybe me), young professionals looking for their first apartments, career types moving into Montgomery County for a new job who wanted an exciting first location, and families looking to live in a great school district.

All were attracted by the Town Square location and the amenities: extra-wide hallways, marble floors in the entries and elevator alcoves, nine-foot ceilings and large picture windows that frame the square.

My last apartment living was the Upper West Side of Manhattan — my, how life in the city has changed.

The first Fenestra building, on Maryland Avenue and Middle Lane has 142 apartments that are available. A swimming pool is located in a courtyard in the center of the building.

Apartments in the second and third buildings in the complex will be available in 60 to 90 days, and the fourth building will be available thereafter.

Tara Geary is regional manager for Realty Management Services, which is leasing the apartments at 37 Maryland Ave., next to The Fracture Prune.

For a more permanent location in Town Square, interested people can walk across Maryland Avenue to the new Danac office (38 Maryland Ave., next to Gordon Biersch), where Carol Cohen is showing the Palladian condominiums.

Sixty-five condominium owners have moved in to Town Square, and the very first apartment renter moved in last week.

The new Town Square residents can enjoy the array of events and entertainment in the neighborhood.

Every Thursday evening they catch live music in the square. This week, the Crawdaddies will crank out Cajun⁄Zydeco from 6-8 p.m., and next week, the Tim Ford Group will play jazz.

Every Wednesday from 7-9 p.m., La Tasca features a live guitarist. Flamenco shows are offered each Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Washington Jazz Trio fans can find them at Greystone Grill Wednesday nights. Austin Grill expects to open next week, and will host live music nightly. On Friday and Saturday nights, Miss Saigon pushes back the tables to make way for dancing to Latino music.

Sally Sternbach is executive director of Rockville Economic Development Inc., the private-public economic development arm of the City of Rockville. This is part of a series of columns written in conjunction with the grand opening of Rockville Town Square, the new mixed-use redevelopment project in the heart of the city.