New 388-unit luxury multifamily community with oversized living spaces and superior amenities positioned in the heart of the Baltimore-Washington D.C Corridor

BOWIE, MD – St. John Properties, Inc. and Somerset Companies LLC recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Aspen at Melford Town Center, signaling the official opening of the 388-unit luxury multifamily community situated within Melford Town Center in Bowie, Maryland. A joint project between the two real estate companies, the community features oversized studio, one-, and two-bedroom living spaces ranging from 507 to 1,490 square feet, as well as a full complement of on-site amenities. The development has an approximate value of $150 million, and represents the fourth joint venture partnership between full-service commercial real estate company St. John Properties and Somerset Companies, a developer of mixed-use communities. The Aspen at Melford Town Center was designed by Architects Collaborative. Aumen Asner, Inc. oversaw interior design, The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company completed all general contracting activities, and Bozzuto Management is the property manager.

Prince George’s County Council-members Jolene Ivey (District 5) and Ingrid Watson (District 4) were among the local elected officials participating in the event.

“When designing Aspen at Melford Town Center, our team recognized that the needs of the modern-day apartment resident have changed significantly over the past several years, with living spaces now more frequently being used for work, entertainment, exercise and sometimes education,” explained Neil Greenberg, Chief Operating Officer of Somerset Companies. “This has led to the noticeable expansion of bedroom sizes and general living spaces, as well as the creation of highly-functional areas, including den areas that offer maximum flexibility. With residents choosing to remain in the community for longer periods of time, we have also added new or improved traditional amenities, including exercise and entertainment options, and pet-pampering services. The result is a best-in-class multifamily community that has anticipated the requirements of young people, families, and empty-nesters alike, with a highly-adaptable and all-inclusive living environment.”

Superior design features incorporated into all 388 luxury units include nine-foot ceiling heights, open-plan kitchens with breakfast bars and granite or quartz countertops, 42” kitchen cabinets, upgraded stainless steel appliances with washers and dryers, spa-inspired bathrooms with separate showers and extra-large soaking tubs, eight-foot-tall entry doors, ceiling fans with lights, wood plank flooring throughout, and lofts, balconies, and dens available in certain homes.

The community’s “wraparound” configuration features homes enveloped around an interior parking garage, enabling residents to park on the same level of the building in which they live. Aspen at Melford Town Center was design for LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, creating healthier indoor living environments, reduce operating costs, and improve energy efficiency. The community also features a rooftop solar array that will generate an estimated 693 megawatts annually.

“There remains a pressing need for high-quality housing in Maryland and throughout the country, and our team has collectively delivered a world-class residential community. Aspen at Melford Town Center combines highly-modernized amenities with an unparalleled location, providing access to three major metropolitan areas,” said St. John Properties President and CEO Larry Maykrantz. “Our team believes the Aspen at Melford Town Center significantly raises the bar in terms of overall quality and living environment in the multifamily category, and it also represents the largest single investment among any project developed in St. John Properties’ 53-year history.”   

Comprehensive community amenity package addresses indoor and outdoor living

A comprehensive amenities package was also constructed and includes a 2,300 square foot, two-story community room, state-of-the-art fitness center with yoga studio, multi-media center with over-sized viewing screen and adjacent kitchen and bar, billiards room, business center with conference area, fireplace, library, a pet spa with pet wash room and indoor dog park. The community also features a resort-style, salt water-heated swimming pool with sunning decks, outdoor living areas, and multiple grills. Additional exterior amenities include pickleball courts, a courtyard with cabanas, fireplace and television, Zen Garden, hospitality bar, bike storage and repair room, and a lake suitable for fishing, kayaking and model sail boating.

“Dog adoption and ownership has increased significantly, and among the feedback we continually hear is the need for more dog-related services,” added Greenberg. “This input has led to the creation of an indoor dog park, which allows owners to exercise their pets during inclement weather without getting cold and wet.”

Development group offers first-year utility guarantee to residents

In a unique program, Aspen at Melford Town Center offers all residents a guarantee on utility expenses for the first year, covering costs for electric, gas and HVAC. With guaranteed maximum average monthly costs ranging from $34 for a studio and $84 for units exceeding 1,200 square feet of space, the developer will refund any overage costs at the conclusion of the initial lease. Cable television, internet and water/sewer expenses are separate, and are not covered in this utility guarantee program.   

Community is nearly equidistant from Annapolis, Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

St. John Properties has developed nearly one million square feet of commercial office, flex/R&D, and retail space at Melford Town Center. The 466-acre mixed-use development is located in Prince George’s County, Maryland at the intersection of US Route 50 and MD Route 3/301 in Bowie. The business community contains a Courtyard by Marriott hotel, and more than 75,000 square feet of additional commercial and retail space is planned. Melford Town Center is located approximately 15 miles from Annapolis, 18 miles from BWI Airport, and 25 miles from Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Nearly 120,000 vehicles pass the mixed-use community via US Route 50 on a daily basis. In addition, approximately 113,000 people reside within a five-mile radius of the business community, with an average household income exceeding $180,000.

“The development of Aspen at Melford Town Center and the continued commercial growth within Melford Town Center wouldn’t be possible without the support and professionalism from The City of Bowie, Prince George’s County Department of Permitting, Inspections & Enforcement (DPIE), and the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC),” stated Maykrantz.

“Aspen at Melford Town Center represents the fourth mixed-use community in which we have partnered with St. John Properties, and our companies complement each other with similar philosophies and approaches to development,” added Greenberg. “Our organizations are long-term holders of real estate, and committed to creating ‘best-in-class’ projects in specific sub-markets. The real estate products in this community were designed to appeal to businesses looking for an amenity-rich and highly accessible mixed-use community, and to people seeking a compact, pedestrian-friendly environment. The Aspen at Melford Town Center includes every component that addresses the changing way businesses and consumers interact with real estate in the modern world.”

Somerset Companies has developed numerous high-profile, mixed-use projects in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. area, including Annapolis Junction Town Center and Arundel Preserve in Anne Arundel County, and Greenleigh in Baltimore County. For additional information, visit www.somersetconstruction.com.

Founded in 1971, St. John Properties, Inc. is one of the nation’s largest and most successful privately held commercial real estate firms. The company is distinguished by its commitment to customer service, achievements in green building, and top-rated workplace culture. Throughout St. John Properties’ 53-year history, the company has developed more than 24 million square feet of flex/R&D, office, retail, and warehouse space and has investments in over 3,000 residential units. The company proudly serves more than 2,600 clients in Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Utah, and Wisconsin. For more information about the company, visit www.sjpi.com.