Community showcase.

NAA member FirstWorthing is expanding its portfolio with the acquisition of Waterford Club Apartments (an NAA member) in Orlando, Fla.

Along with a name change to Worthing at MetroWest, FirstWorthing will undertake some minor interior and exterior upgrades. The property was built in 1995, and has 364 apartments in 16 buildings on 19.5 acres. This gated community features a clubhouse, swimming pool and spa, fitness center, game room, sand volleyball court and detached garages. In addition, the property is located adjacent to the MetroWest Golf Club, offering spectacular course views to many of the apartment homes.

The Madison at Spring Oak, a new 506-unit apartment home development, is now open and accepting lease applications. Located in Richmond, Va., it was built by Denver-based Simpson Housing Limited Partnership and will be managed by Simpson Property Group, SHLP's in-house property management division.

Residents have seven different plans from which to choose, ranging from one-bedroom, one-bath models up to 816 square feet, to a generous three-bedroom, two-bath plan at 1,252 square feet. Rents range from $695 to $1,225 per month, according to Tammie Vaughn, community manager.

Community amenities include two resort-style pools and a spa; volleyball courts; a playground; a 7,000 square foot designer clubhouse for resident activities; a fully equipped business center; a state-of-the-art, 24-hour fitness center, barbecue areas; laundry facilities; and gated access.

Individual unit features include nine-foot ceilings; two-inch plantation blinds; spacious walk-in closets; ceramic tile entry-ways and other designer flooring; gourmet kitchens with built in appliances; patios and balconies; ceiling fans; fireplaces, direct-access garages; and much more.

NAA member The Van Metre Cos. recently began construction of its newest apartment community two miles from Dulles International Airport near the intersection of Sunrise Valley Drive and Centreville Road in Herndon, Va. Plans call for 373 units to be constructed in the initial phase, with at total of 757 units upon completion. The first units are scheduled for occupancy this fall. Offering garden apartments in four-story buildings, and townhomes with a garden unit on the lower level and a two-story townhome above, the rental homes at Woodland Park (an NAA member) feature a variety of spacious floor plans--with loft ceilings in top-floor garden apartments--suitable for a wide variety of lifestyles.

Residents can choose from apartment homes with one-bedroom, one-bedroom with den, two-bedrooms, two-bedrooms with library or sunroom or three-bedrooms. Some models include a garage. Plans call for plush wall-to-wall carpeting in every living room, dining room and bedroom at Woodland Park. Bedrooms provide abundant space with large closets and private baths, some with oversized garden tubs. Kitchen designs are open and efficient and come complete with handsome raised panel cabinets and modern energy-efficient General Electric appliances. Each unit includes a tiled laundry room with full-sized washer and dryer. A deck or patio for outdoor relaxation is standard with each apartment. A host of options, including gas fireplaces are available. Wiring systems in each home are Internet ready providing high-speed Internet access. In addition, each unit is wired for video with service by DirectTV. All utilities are individually metered for each unit with gas, heat and hot water, and electric air conditioning.

Woodland Park's crowning glory is its Woodland Club, an elegant 10,000 square-foot clubhouse with a wide range of amenities not commonly found in most rental communities. It features a landscaped courtyard with a rock waterfall surrounded by benches for peaceful contemplation. Residents can congregate in the two-story Grand Hall, a beautifully furnished community room for informal gatherings or formal meetings. Virtual office support for residents is provided through Woodland Club's business center with an Internet cafe and concierge service.

Outside the club is a social pool with a sundeck for relaxing. The site is also equipped with a 25-meter lap pool, a nearby toddler pool and a bathhouse. Fitness buffs can enjoy spirited competitions on tennis and bocce ball courts. Residents will also be able to "pump iron" at the 1,200 square-foot state-of-the-art fitness center, which is equipped with Cybex fitness equipment, life fitness, upright and recumbent machines, and cardio equipment, as well as Club FM broadcast system with five television screens.

Woodland Park occupies 32.4 acres close to the amenities and conveniences of city living. When completed, the gated entrance of the community will admit the visitor to a peaceful country setting professionally landscaped with tall trees, flowering shrubs an lush seasonal plantings. Nature trails wind through the woodlands, allowing residents to walk or bike to nearby offices. At the same time Woodland Park provides quick and easy access to both business and recreation throughout the region.

The 15 different apartment layouts available at Half Moon Harbour, New Jersey's upscale and luxurious waterfront development, are attracting residents with a diversity of tastes and lifestyles. Spectacular skyline views, an easy commute and reasonable rents are some of the other reasons residents cite for choosing the new 176-unit, 12-story building located in North Bergen, N.J., along the Hudson River shoreline.

Half Moon's one-, two- and three-bedroom units, which range from 740 square feet to 1,536 square feet, were designed with the needs of several types of residents in mind, according to Tom Barrett, President of Barrett Builders, the project's developer.

When completed, Half Moon Harbour will contain two, detailed 12-story high-rise buildings, each with its own convenient on-site amenities, including a parking deck, fully equipped health club and convenience store. A recreation deck situated atop the three-story covered parking garage features a swimming pool, expansive patio areas, a tennis court and panoramic views of all of lower Manhattan and the Hudson River to the east and the Palisades to the west. Barrett Builders has also created a river walk, which is part of the public walk linking the George Washington Bridge to Liberty State Park. Residents of the elegant, spacious apartments benefit from a 24-hour concierge and front-door shuttle service to the nearby New York Waterway Ferry, which sails from Port Imperial to Midtown Manhattan every 10 minutes.

The entire building has been carefully angled to maximize panoramic views for each apartment. Residents on the north side view the George Washington Bridge and upper Manhattan. Those with a southern exposure can enjoy the Empire State Building and the rest of Manhattan through a bay window in the dining areas. A few corner units, which feature additional windows and a variety of vistas, are still available. Three-bedroom units on the top three floors include private terraces for optimal viewing enjoyment. Many living room windows feature an expanded interior ledge, which increases decorating and seating possibilities.

All residences are bright and airy, with neutral color schemes to complement almost any d&or. Each offers top-quality European-designed kitchen cabinets, individual washer/dryer and hot water heater in a separate utility room, and Porcelanosa ceramic tiling in the kitchen and baths. The building is also equipped with a fiber backbone, T1 lines, 5E wiring, Bell Atlantic video and cable wiring for residents with high-tech requirements. Soundproof engineering creates a quiet, tranquil atmosphere throughout the development. Those interested can visit www.barrettco.com.