An Impressive Entrance, 'And the Rest Is History'

After 25 years in a single-family house in western Howard County, Phyllis Mazer never thought she would live in an apartment.

But her life changed, and in 2002, Mazer found herself one of the first tenants at the Columbia Town Center apartments.

The 72-year-old said she is still pleased with her choice.

"There's so many amenities," she said. "That's important, I think, to someone who comes from a house."

With a circular driveway, fountain and large lobby, the main entrance to the complex has the feel of a hotel. Features include a swimming pool in an interior courtyard, a fitness center, a computer room, a clubroom with a fireplace and a media room with a large-screen television.

The location, near downtown Columbia, is one of the main draws, said Olusola Sekoni, the leasing manager.

"Columbia itself attracts people," he said, "and then we supply what they envision as a luxury apartment community."

The cluster of 14 apartment buildings sits on a wooded parcel of land just south of Lake Kittamaqundi, adjacent to Route 29.

It's a short walk to the Mall in Columbia, and residents can stroll on a bike path through open space next to the complex to reach the lake.

That means that Jeff Brown, 24, can walk to his part-time job at Clyde's restaurant on the lake.

"I love it here," said Brown, who has lived in his apartment for almost three years. In the summer, he said, he likes to sit on his balcony, where he can hear concerts at the nearby Merriweather Post Pavilion.

Brown, who grew up in Howard County, said living in the heart of Columbia attracted him, as did the apartments themselves.