Kew Gardens: Older but Not Outdated, Convenient but Not Crowded

Enter the lobby at Kew Gardens, and you feel as though you've stepped back in time. A red-brick relic of the 1920s, the entryway retains its elaborate ceiling, curved staircases, dramatic chandeliers and high arched doorways. The fresh paint, shiny floors and general cleanliness keep it looking charming and well-preserved instead of antiquated.

"I like the feel of the old building," said William Spates, 56, who moved there in 1978 shortly after graduating from the University of Maryland.

Resident Catherine Gamper agreed that the Georgetown building "has quite a character to it."

Kew Gardens, a name that is both a play on its Q Street address and a reference to the famed British botanical garden, has about 150 units, a mix of studio and one- and two-bedroom apartments. "I like the actual size of the complex itself. It's small enough that it feels more like a community," said Patricia Price, a resident since 2005.

In addition to the history and atmosphere, Gamper, 28, said she likes that the building is "a quiet place in the middle of the city." On a largely residential, low-traffic block, Kew Gardens is less than a half-mile north of bustling M Street and just more than a half-mile west of the Dupont Circle Metro station.

The location was one of the primary features that attracted Price, who said she was tired of her lengthy commute from Herndon and wanted to be able to walk to her Georgetown office. She said she likes that she's close to Dumbarton Oaks and Rock Creek Park, too. And, in a neighborhood known for expensive rentals, "the rents are high, but for Georgetown they're really reasonable," she said. The building is covered by the city's rent-control law. Current rent for studios starts at $1,380 per month; for one-bedrooms, $1,540.

One reason Spates has stayed for so many years is the convenient location. "I have a 7-Eleven, I have a dry cleaners, I have the wine store, I have the market on the corner. What more could I want?" he said.

When Gamper moved to the building in March, she said, she was struck by how safe she felt. "That was definitely a reason for me as a single woman to live here," she said. Regular courtesy patrols by an off-duty police officer add to the sense of security.

Perhaps the most distinct feature of this property is its large central garden, where brick paths carve through patches of verdant plants. At the center are a fountain and a small pond speckled with lily pads. Stone benches scattered about the garden give residents a place to sit and relax. "The garden's just such a serene and lovely place. I think that's the showpiece of the building," said Jane Holahan, 51, a resident for three years.

Gamper said she uses the courtyard often, reading there in the afternoons or enjoying a drink in the evenings. She has hosted a party in Kew Gardens' other outdoor space, a quaint picnic area with a large table, a grill and plenty of shade.

Gamper also praised the look and feel of her one-bedroom corner unit: the high ceilings, cherry wood floors and windows that let in ample light all attracted her to the apartment.

And although the units aren't huge, Holahan said, "It's just enough space for what I'm looking for."

Most of the apartments have hardwood floors like Gamper's, but about a dozen have carpeting, parquet or wood laminate floors. The kitchens in Kew Gardens vary from unit to unit. Some feature wood grain cabinets while others have white cabinets, and the countertops are either butcher-block-style or granite-looking. Some units have dishwashers but not all.

This older building doesn't have the amenities and upgrades that many newer properties have, but residents are mainly pleased with the ones they have. According to Spates, the laundry facilities are "immaculate" and were recently improved when they were outfitted with new machines.

Holahan said she chose to move to Kew Gardens because it is operated by Bernstein Management, a local apartment company. She had lived in another Bernstein property since 1997 and wanted to stick with it because, she said, it is "professional and attentive to people's needs."

Like Holahan, Spates has been impressed with the management and maintenance staff. "The building is kept up very well," he said. When he wanted to repaint his apartment, Spates bought the paint -- sea-foam green for the bedroom and light beige for the living room -- and the staff did the painting.

Price agreed that Kew's lax policy about modifying the units is a plus. "It's nice to be able to personalize," she said.