Suburban Pioneers, Without Roughing It

Residents Praise Relaxing Environment

Jefferson at Inigo's Crossing won't be finished until March, but pioneering residents now living at the North Bethesda apartment complex don't mind.

For one, there's a lot less competition for the many amenities. About 40 residents now share space in a complex that will eventually include 473 units. About half of the units in the two buildings are still under construction.

That sparse population means Dean Berkheimer's five children can easily enjoy the on-site private movie theater with stadium seating while he works out across the hall in the fitness center.

Berkheimer said he was attracted by how convenient it was to entertain guests. At his disposal are plenty of space and activities to entertain both his friends and his children, who live in Olney.

The common areas include a large "pub room" featuring several wall-mounted, large-screen televisions; pool, shuffleboard and foosball tables; dart boards; a bar area; and wooden chess, checker and tic-tac-toe boards.

The fitness room is outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment; cardio machines come with individual television sets. The business center has a conference room and four separate work areas, set up with desks and partitions reminiscent of library carrels.

"To me this place is set up for entertaining, exercising and relaxation, with the theater and everything else all on one level," said Berkheimer, 41, who is leasing a two-bedroom apartment while he waits for his house to be finished.

There are also an outdoor pool, spa, sundeck and adjoining courtyards between the two buildings, which are connected by an underground, multilevel parking garage.

"Just walking in the building, I was taken with the common areas," said Rob Simonds, 48. "They're elegant without being stuffy.

"The pub room was unique, and this had additional amenities to offer that were very appealing," Simonds said, comparing the complex with other high-end buildings he considered.

Simonds's 12-year-old son, Robbie, loves to play pool and shuffleboard in the pub room and was excited to watch the Super Bowl with his dad, friends and other residents in the theater.

Inside, apartments offer finishes similar to those in other luxury buildings. There is ceramic tiling in bathrooms, hardwood floors in kitchens and wall-to-wall carpeting everywhere else. There are black-on-black appliances, maple cabinets, ceiling fans, walk-in closets, soaking tubs, and full washers and dryers. Some apartments have granite countertops, gas fireplaces, and small balconies or terraces.

Some residents have views of the golf course next to which the property was built. Jefferson at Inigo's Crossing sits on land that once was home to two holes of Georgetown Preparatory School's golf course. McLean-based property developer and manager JPI leases the land from the school. The "exterior was designed to flow with the architecture of Georgetown Prep," said Amy Foley, director of community operations for the building and the building's first resident.

Besides the common area features, residents say the location was the biggest draw. The building is within walking distance of the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro station and Rockville Pike.

"It's close to my office -- two minutes to Kensington -- plus all of the Bethesda activities," said Berkheimer, a flooring contractor. "I can jump on the Metro and run downtown, or I can be in Bethesda and in minutes be near all of the restaurants. It's convenient as can be to 495 and Virginia, too."

Foley said she has been pleasantly surprised by the neighborhood. While walking her two dogs -- the community allows pets -- she has discovered friendly neighbors. "People walk and run down Tuckerman Lane."

Soon it will need to become friendlier, as more people move into the building. Life will change for those who have grown accustomed to easy access to sparkling common areas, attention from management staff and a plethora of parking spots.