If you have not had a chance to visit National Harbor in Prince Gorge’s County MD you should.  I was upon my visit stunned at how beautiful  the community actually is. Located in (or just outside of)  Oxon Hill MD. With a quick jump from 495 and or 295 the location of this community is very desirable for commuters who can’t find the right price in Virgina.  For those who prefer to remain in the burbs close to major highway arteries, otherwise known as, “we are just not ready for the city”, this is an excellent option. Greeted with sweeping vistas of the Potomac River and the northern Virgina shoreline and far off views of the District on a clear day I was floored. My visit with friends included a delicious lunch at the Thia Pavilion and  as we walked around, talked, and enjoyed the spring like winter day, I was struck by the inventory of high rise condominium  homes available. These properties either for rent or sale reminded me of the hustle and movement of the District, however the community itself was fairly quite. That could be a plus or negative for some for me, it’s great!

I wanted to know more about available homes in the area, so the first thing I did was arrange  a showing in the most luxurious building of them all (do it big right?) the Waterfront Street building. Making the arrangements with their sales team was great! The McWilliams/Ballard Inc.  showing agent was very friendly and a little late for the appointment but who cares! Unit #205 listed for $699.999 (yes that is correct) is a spectacular version of what a lux unit should be hands down. Yes I could have a couple more upgrades but I have seen and rented a lot of great condos and this is the real deal.

The building itself is a mix of retail therapy, dinning and residential living. Located on the ground floors you will find my personal favorite the Tasting Room a fabulous wine bar just downstairs underneath the unit. Also for those in the know the eatery Bond 45 is located on the opposite end of the building, steps from the front door of the unit. Meeting the sales rep. we entered the secured front of the building. We were greeted by the dazzling lobby in cream and gold stone decor no less (tastefully done). Walking into the gorgeous elevator you knew that the unit was going to be very special, as the doors open I was greeted with the unit foyer. That’s right the elevator enters into the unit, very Manhattan. It was bright Inside the 1874 square foot apartment the windows were floor to ceiling through out the entire home. As we walked into the kitchen I could not help but to notice that a standard unit in the building came with a very upgraded kitchen. Wolf cook top with double Wolf ovens were carefully placed inside the Italian dark cherry wood cabinetry, large SS Subzero refrigerator centered the kitchen. Above were elegant ceiling lights throughout the unit.

The media room was on the small side however the fact that you have one in general is a very big plus. Its not often I run into those so the fact that it was wired for Verizon or Comcast brought ideas of ’55 screens and B&O sounds protruding through the walls of the room. Moving down the custom shelved hallway to the bedroom areas I was greeted with a full in hallway bath with great details and again great lighting. Over to the right was the small second bedroom but for what it did not have in size it had in height. The 9ft ceilings were a welcomed relief for those like me who love volume in a room and the floor to ceiling Nana Wall glass windows through out the unit made every inch open and airy. Not very large but comfortable is how I would describe the guest room. The Master, this was a wow + room , the windows and the ample space made this room feel very large. The overlooking view was of the interior of the NH, yea not a full water view in the unit but it wasn’t bad at all. The master bath was also stunning with marble floors and shower, multiple shower heads with steam feature and a very large whirlpool jetted tub also in marble. The finishes in the bath were excellent in detail and my personal favorite a water closet, again the small touches that you just don’t find in to many lux units.  The overall feel of the home and look of the home is satisfying, I mean when your condo fees are $1400.00 plus I would guess it should be.

About that, yes $1400.00 plus, what comes with that you ask? Well not much that doesn’t come with any lux unit for purchase or rent. Let’s start with what that does get you. Two tandem parking spaces in the secured garage, Water, electricity, elevator maintenance (every unit has a private elevator), some additional storage and that’s really it. What’s not in the building itself, concierge.  That’s right people there is NO concierge in the building itself and yes that sucks! There is no pool, tennis courts, or even a club room for that matter. Now I was quickly cradled back into submission when I was told that the amenities are there, just not in the building you have to walk across the street to get them. They are (amenities) covered under the condo fee it’s just in another building all the way across the street! So I’m not going to say how I feel about that, honestly I’m not sure I mean they are there, just somewhat hidden?

Resale? I would imagine slow and non-responsive to be honest, renting $4000.00 monthly, easy for the smaller (1800 square feet are standard for the building) units and much more for the larger units. There is a unit available in the building that is close to 4000 square feet in size listed at 1.7 million I will keep you updated on that. The overall is well you just can’t find anything like this in Price George’s and you really can’t find anything like this for the price with the same level of detail in the District. HUMMMM, yes it’s tricky is it a steal and deal, well it really depends on who you ask. When you consider what you are getting and where you getting it, then yes it does have value. Does the market warrant such prices and high condo fees in this location, location, location? No. Condo fees can fluctuate overtime depending on management and many other factors. However I must respect the fact that this is a luxury building with amazing units in a beautiful location with extraordinary views. No other condo building in the county has the wow factor like this one. Things change and what the future holds for NH looks really promising enough to consider a  purchase, hold and rent!

Luxury Buildings National Harbor Prince George County Waterfront Street