Clarendon 1021 Summer Rooftop Parties are the best thing in Arlington.
Nothing beats having 100-200 friends at your rooftop.
Just last night, we had a rooftop party where 4 different groups got along on the rooftop. The music, hottub and pool are open til midnight.
The best part of the rooftop is the Washington Monument view.
Also when I think about the other condos that have pools on the ground level (besides the fact that they only get sun 50% of the day) , I just can't imagine them being able to pull in such a large crowd. The noise would go up into the condos and it just wouldn't work. The only place that might have a better rooftop would be the Odyssey Condos in Courthouse... but that is Courthouse. When everyone was done last night at midnight, they walked 1 block to the Clarendon bars.
Written by Frank Borges LL0SA- 1021 Owner and Realtor
(Bias alert: I live in and own a unit at 1021 in Clarendon, or see blog post & video and I love it.)
But the Odyssey Rocks.
Construction Material I’m not a builder, but since 1021 was built initially as a rental apartment, Odyssey was built more solidly. Also the upgrades are all a level nicer from flooring to appliances.
Green Building I don’t know if the building has an official “Green” status, but the sellers we have helped have shown us their utility bills and they were as low as $35 a month total. About ½ of 1021. Sorry if this post doesn’t add new information. I’m just telling you what I know and not Bsing what I don’t.
The View If you think 1021 has a great view, the Odyssey’s roof top will blow your mind. Couple that with an amazing rooftop party room (1021 had one, but it got sold off as a unit) and rooftop gym and it puts 1021 to shame. (no hot tub in the Odyssey though)
Location This is where 1021 skyrockets back on top. 1021 is located in the more expensive Clarendon vs Courthouse. It is just 2 blocks from wholefoods, shops, restaurants, and night life. Meanwhile people that I know in Courthouse (1 metro to stop away) head to Clarendon 80% of the time. But not so fast, the nextdoor Dr Dremos and Taco Bell are being replaced with a retail area similar to Clarendon.
Metro They are both about the same distance to their respective metro, with courthouse being one stop closer to DC, but also one stop more full of people.
The best thing to do when in these buildingsis to talk to the neighbors. Recently I was working with a client and my 1021 bias was apparent so I thought I’d strike up a conversation with a resident.
“Excuse me, we are considering the Odyssey Condominiums and 1021 Condos. When you bought did you look at both?”
He went off on 1021 and how much he loved the Odyssey. On top of that, the 2 br run about $30-40K less for a similar sized 2 bedroom on a similar floor level. For him it was a no brainer, The Odyssey won him over.
When showing places I try to keep my opinions to myself.
It doesn’t matter if I like brown or rooms that can hold a projection TV. Or a condo that is 20% larger. Who am I to say how much room you need to live or how much you might not mind walking a few extra blocks.
Bottom line is the Odyssey is worth looking at. Here is a link to Odyssey Condos for sale today. Here are 40 photos from 3 units we sold here.
Do watch out since some units are wildly overpriced there. As in over $100,000 overpriced. Also email me if you want to see a spreadsheet that my agent Megan (our agent) did. She analyzed 30 past sales and it runs a ratio of the average profit and loss by the initial purchases (don't just go by the tax records, the seller subsidy matters!).
A couple of months ago, Clarendon 1021 held a GREEN DAY.
They invited several merchants and Fresh AIRE – Arlington Initiative to Reduce Emissionsto teach residents how to reduce energy and recycle. This initiative was created by several owners at 1021 that are very environmentally aware and they work with management to make everything as Green as possible.
Here are some more photos of the Green Event at Clarendon 1021.
For a list of active for sale, go to 1021Clarendon.com a nd the blog and video walking tour can be found on the other blog post on Clarendon 1021 in Arlington
- Written by Frank Borges LL0SA- Owner of a unit at 1021 Broker FranklyRealty.com
I'm a Realtor, and I live in Clarendon 1021 a condo in Arlington Virginia.
I put up this page to give those searching for information that you can't find on the MLS. Feel free top post specific questions. If you want to see what is active, go to my site http://www.1021clarendon.com/
While allowing for some bias, Clarendon 1021 is the single envy of all of Arlington.
Walking tour video of Clarendon 1021:
It has the absolute best location with a rare rooftop pool and 24 hour security/concierge. It is unmatched in all of Arlington
(even by The Odyssey since the Odyssey people will be cabbing it in from the Courthouse location to hang out in Clarendon) Clarendon 1021 is one of only 4 condos in the Clarendon area as of 5/08 (Station Square, Clarendon 1021, The Phoenix Condos, and the smaller Hartford . There were going to be a couple others, but they converted to apartments (Le Joule and Zoso). The good:
The rooftop pool and hot tub is amazing in my opinion. Rooftop pools are VERY rare in Arlington, with maybe 10% of the condos being able to boast this. Ours also has an amazing Monument and Capitol view (click to see). However, you should know that the pool is a shallow 3.5 feet and is more for wading then doing laps. Pool hours are posted and currently not 24 hours. Pool parties (photo) on the roof are also a blast and a makes this building the envy of Arlington.
We have a great online message board for residents to talk about issues and get those issues immediately addressed. That board is private until you become an owner.
24 concierge. I just found out that I rank #1 with online purchases in my building. I can't imagine not having somebody at the front desk to get a package. Would I have to go to another building? (View lobby)
Upgraded interiors. Each unit comes with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops in the kitchen and baths. (photo of kitchen)
Location, Location, Location. I have friends that used to rent in Clarendon, but bought in Ballston and Courthouse. While they might have saved $30-$50k, they still hoof it to Clarendon for 80% of their nightlife. And guess what happens (regardless of the market going up or down) when you go and sell your place, it will STILL be worth $30k-$50k more then the same unit elsewhere.
The not great:
It was initially built as an apartment complex and then was sold off to a developer as condos. What that means is every unit's interior is nearly identical (a few floors have lighter cabinets).
It isn't soundproof. Buildings that are initial apartments won't be as quite since it costs more to soundproof. I'm talking about floor to floor foot traffic.
About 6 months ago there was a flooding problem that was pretty severe. I was told it was the worst rainfall in 50 years or something. The roof was since re-designed to drain the water faster. Management was quick to repair the common areas effected to prevent any molding. Experts and the county came out to verify that everything was done properly. Several buildings had this problem after this flood.
No rooftop entertainment room. The builder converted it to a condo at the last second. This kinda sucks, but the rooftop pool makes up for it. We do have a conference room and lounge with free wireless (thanks for a high tech friendly neighbor)
Differences in Units:
Email me for a full size building layout. Applicable for floors 2-8. It will give you an idea which unit # faces where and if it has a balcony and # of BDRs. (photo of 1 unit)
Units with Balconies will get anywhere from 20-$35k more than a same floor, same size unit with no balcony.
There are 4 directions your unit can face. Units facing the courtyard will be $10k-$20k higher than if you face the higher trafficked Washington Street or North Garfield Street.
Morning sun or afternoon sun. Courtyard units get sun in the morning.
Floor level can be about $4k to $8k per floor (not that some "1st floor" units are actually on the 2nd floor and above the B level
Some B level units have walk out access to a patio and courtyard. Easy access for dog owners too. B level units have been slower to sell.
Floorplan differences. The efficiencies start at 600sq ft. 1 BDR start at 700sq feet and go up to 850 with 1 BDR and dens at 900. With the 2 bdrs you have some with 1 and some with 2 full baths.
Watch out when buying:
Watch out for "1 bdrs and Dens" that are listed as 2 Bdrs.
Watch out for units near the entrance. Some were built after the building was completed.
Watch out for $100k overpriced units. This is NOT a "you get what you pay for" place. You can EASILY overpay if you don;'t know the ins and outs of the building. Recently one 2bdr was $100,000 overpriced. There is a long history of price fluctuations in this building. It skyrocketed upon the initial opening with some making $100,000 profits. Now some are trying to make that same $100k, while others are selling for a $30k loss (this is because of the market, not the building).
The address is NOT 1021 Clarendon Blvd. The building is called "Clarendon 1021" but the address is 1021 N Garfield St Arlington Va 22201
Nothing beats having 100-200 friends at your rooftop.
Nothing beats having 100-200 friends at your rooftop.
the rooftop.
Written by Frank Borges LL0SA- 1021 Owner and Realtor
Location
I just found out that I rank #1 with online purchases in my building. I can't imagine not having somebody at the front desk to get a package. Would I have to go to another building? (
