Property tours: the NAA property tours allow you to visit some of the most exciting, innovative and prestigious apartment communities in Orlando, Fla.

The National Apartment Association (NAA) offers attendees of the 2002 Education Conference & Exposition an opportunity to visit a few of Orlando's beautiful communities. Members of the Apartment Association of Greater Orlando (AAGO) will guide the tour and describe each community and the surrounding area. Buses depart from the Gaylord Palms Resort Hotel at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, June 28, 2002. Don't miss the opportunity to see these communities.

Tour One--Park-Avenue at MetroWest

Park Avenue at MetroWest is an excellent example of a mixed-use development, integrating apartment homes with a neighborhood commercial center. Park Avenue at MetroWest is located in one of the most prestigious, master planned suburban communities in Orlando, Fla. Developed during the past few years by Epoch Properties of Winter Park, the $65 million development recently completed its initial phase with 743 apartment homes and a "town center" that includes shops and restaurants.

Park Avenue offers more than 25 distinctive floor plans, including flats, townhomes and lofts that overlook the central park. All apartment homes feature high-tech voice and data wiring, surround-sound pre-wiring, programmable thermostats, digital TV, high-speed Internet access, community intranet and individual alarm systems. The community also features direct or breezeway access garages as an option, nine-foot or tray ceilings, wood cabinets, and full appliance packages, including washers and dryers.

Decorator touches, such as ceramic tile, oversized French doors and garden tubs enhance their value. However, as attractive as the interiors are, many prospective residents are drawn to the community's features, including extensive frontage on Turkey Lake. Along the lakeshore, residents enjoy paved nature and jogging paths, barbecue areas, picnic tables, sunning areas and a covered pavilion. The fact that Park Avenue is adjacent MetroWest Golf Course is not lost on golf lovers and those who enjoy the view of green fairways.

Park Avenue's most distinguishing characteristic, though, is its town center. The 17,000 square feet of retail space offers residents an easy walk to shops, administrative and leasing offices, a bank, a convenience marketplace with dry cleaning pick up and delivery, and Harvey's Bistro, a full-service restaurant and bar. Just down the sidewalk, residents can work off the meal at Park Avenue Athletic Club. Staffed by certified fitness professionals, the athletic club boasts everything found at name-brand membership fitness centers, plus a wireless entertainment system, child monitoring, locker rooms with showers, training, classes, conditioning and a full-court indoor basketball and sports court. Park Avenue, managed by Epoch Management, is impressive by any standard.

Tour Two--Post Parkside

On the leading edge of downtown Orlandos intensive residential development, Post Parkside is a fine example of adaptive reuse coupled with new construction. Developed by Atlanta-based Post Properties, with the blessing of the City of Orlando and the Downtown Development Authority, the project involved the conversion of a high-rise hotel to 121 apartment homes that overlook Lake Eola and the surrounding Eola Park. Two newly constructed mid-rise buildings offer another 123 apartment homes that overlook a quaint brick street district.

At street level, the development offers 30,000 square feet of retail space, including a dry cleaner, day spa, salon, and a well-established restaurant and banquet facility. Lees Lakeside Restaurant and the former hotel hosted many dignitaries and signature events, including the keystone announcement by Walt Disney in 1965 that would change central Florida forever. Post also developed a parking garage for 480 cars, although cars are optional because of its convenient location. Residents enjoy an easy walk to downtown Orlando offices, restaurants, entertainment and cultural centers.

Post employed high-technology features in the community by pre-wiring its units for high-speed Internet access, intranet and other home office features. Adding to these practical features, artful design concepts also were placed in Parkside's apartment homes. Ceramic tile, hardwood flooring, high ceilings, blinds and ceiling fans add a touch of elegance.

Among the community's features are a swimming pool, fitness center, laundry facility and the aforementioned location on Lake Eola, which round out a life of luxury and convenience. Residents have access to a lakeside courtyard with picnic area, walking trails around the lake, onsite fitness training and spectacular views of downtown Orlando and Lake Eola. Post Parkside is managed by Post Properties.

Tour Three--The Waverly on Lake Eola

Leading a luxury "wave" in downtown residential development, The Waverly sets an impressive standard for downtown living. A high-rise with high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows, Zom Properties of Maitland creates somewhat of a masterpiece in modern-day Orlando. The structure's exterior, featuring glass walls that ebb and flow in gentle curves, is indicative of name.

The Waverly is as practical as it is artful. Washer and dryer connections, full kitchen appliance packages and certain utilities are included with ,each apartment home. Private balconies, crown molding, ceramic tile flooring, raised panel doors and formal foyers add elegance to this downtown place. Inside some homes, residents enjoy classic niches for artwork and occasional nooks for contemplating life.

Incredible views of downtown and Lake Eola beckon residents to enjoy the excitement of the city or a peaceful stroll in Eola Park. The community features a gated entrance, laundry facility, a fitness center, swimming pool and hot tub. An executive business center provides office features for the busy professional or home-based entrepreneur.

The Waverly's residents have exclusive use of their own sundries shop, the convenience of concierge services and a hospitality suite for guests. The Waverly has many floor plans and options to choose from, including a top-floor penthouse suite priced at $7,500 per month. "Friendly" is a term used by residents to describe some of The Waverly's offerings, from the 24-hour doorman to the warm welcoming of pets. The Waverly is managed by Zom Residential Services.

Gary Scarboro is the Director of Governmental Affairs and the Director of Education for the Apartment Association of Greater Orlando.