In Columbia Heights, Industrial-Chic Appeal

Even though Highland Park is right on top of a Green Line Metro station, it wasn't the easy commute that drew Grey Montgomery and his girlfriend, Amy Hirsch, to the new seven-story apartment building.

Montgomery just moved from Philadelphia after getting his MBA at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, and Hirsch will be joining him from California next month.

His commute to McLean, with two trains and a bus ride, will take an hour and 10 minutes. Hirsch, a teacher, may also work in the suburbs.

On an apartment-hunting trip, they saw 24 places in three days -- in Chinatown, Dupont Circle, Columbia Heights. Some of those apartments were cheaper than their one-bedroom at Highland Park, which costs about $2,000 a month.

"Coming from Philadelphia, the rent for anything seems pretty expensive," Montgomery said. But they decided the amenities they would get for $2,000 at Highland Park rather than $1,700 elsewhere were worth it.

"The fitness center was better than most of the others I saw," Montgomery said. "I could actually see using the social center." That area has a bar, a fireplace, a wall of glass and stylish décor. Residents can rent it for parties for $250.

"I love the kitchen here," Hirsch said. "I love the granite countertops. I love this refrigerator. I love the space in the kitchen for everything you have. It'll be a fun place to cook, and have people over, too."

Hirsch felt reassured because the front desk is staffed 24 hours a day and because Metro is so close.

Brandi Henderson's search couldn't have been more different. Granted, she had lived in Washington for years, most recently in a junior one-bedroom near U Street NW.

"I said, 'Wow, this is it," Henderson said of the Highland Park apartment. "This was the only place I looked."

Henderson, who moved in May 30, likes the industrial-chic look of the apartments, which were originally planned as condominiums. The units have stained concrete floors, plus Berber carpets in the bedrooms. Kitchens have granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances. The floors in loft-style apartments have exposed pipes in the hallways.

She also frequently uses the building's common areas. She goes to the business center, which has several computers. She uses the two-story gym, which includes cardio and weight machines, and a group exercise room with heavy punching bags. Once the building's 229 apartments are full -- it's 32 percent occupied now -- yoga instructors and a personal trainer may work there, too.