It sure is a far cry from his room in Crawford Hall last year.
Junior Phil Kaminski and his two roommates scoured the District before deciding the new 2400 M Street apartments were the place to be.
With salmon-colored granite counter tops, hi-tech kitchen appliances, full bathrooms for every bedroom, walk-in closets, washer and dryer units and balconies overlooking the immaculately-kept courtyard, Kaminski’s right when he says, “It’s really extravagant.”
The price tag for the new apartments near campus, which range from $1,800 to $4,800 a month in rent, affords lavishness uncommon in off-campus student housing.
From the marble lobby furnished with modern red sofas, chic chandeliers, elegant oversized mirrors, to the two first-floor lounges – fully equipped with plasma televisions, sleek new computers, wireless Internet providing soda, water, coffee and snacks – these students are living the life most aren’t in college.
Other conveniences include a rooftop lounge with barbeque grills and patio furniture, a pool and a fitness track. The building also offers wireless Internet outdoors.
“A lot of students spend time by the pool, not even swimming. A lot go up to study, not swim. It’s a great place to relax and just look at the water,” said Joan Peoples, a leasing agent for 2400 M Street apartments.
Kaminsky added that the building is close enough to campus that he sees it as a perfect fit.
“It’s an eight-minute walk to campus, which I’m definitely not losing sleep over.”
The choice to go with 2400 M was obvious to senior Stephen Taj Tsui too, who moved into the building after his lease at the Statesman recently ended. He began comparing two-bedroom apartments in the Foggy Bottom area.
“I found that price-wise, there was not that big of a difference between the two bedroom (at 2400 M) and the other buildings – and so I figured ‘let’s go with the nice shiny new building,'” he said.
After only being open for four months, the building is already at 50 percent occupancy. Peoples estimates that when completely filled, 30 percent of the tenants will be GW students. Regardless, she said noise complaints and irresponsibility have not been an issue with student tenants so far.
“We’ve had some issues with people being loud, but most people conduct themselves pretty well. We get a variety of people here – couples who just sold their home, World Bank employees, people who work at law firms nearby. Most of the time, the college students fit in so well, you can’t even tell if they’re a GW student or work at a law firm,” Peoples said.
Tsui said the move is definitely worth it, as he’s enjoying 2400 M’s amenities and spacious apartments. He predicts that GW students will find their way to the building within the next few years, something Kaminski agrees with.
Kaminski added “I think in a year or two, people will start catching on, just like Columbia Plaza. It’ll be swarmed with GW kids. It does feel good to be here.”
