In the lap of luxury

By coincidence, both apartments just happen to have been on the fifth floor of their respective buildings, and both were one-bedroom units. The apartment in the Indigo building, at 697 square feet, was somewhat larger than the 565 square foot unit in Villa Montgomery. But both apartments had a similar configuration, with separate bedrooms and bathrooms augmenting their combined living, dining and kitchen space. And both buildings are multi-story structures built over an internal, gated parking garage, with secure entrances controlled by an electronic keypad.

The two buildings are both attractive, although their styles are quite different. Villa Montgomery is faced with a mix of brick, stone and stucco, all designed to make the building look less massive and less like a monolithic whole. Indigo’s exterior is much more modern, composed as it is of smooth surface materials in shades of gray, white and blue. Indigo’s designers did use setbacks and other techniques in an attempt to break up the building’s mass, with some success. However, there is only so much you can do to reduce the apparent size of a 10-story building.

As for cost, pinning down a rate for a one-bedroom apartment in Villa Montgomery is tricky, since what you pay can depend upon your financial situation. However, it appears that the monthly cost of such an apartment is below $2,000 — and for some it may even be below $1,000. Of course, that is a subsidized price available only to those who can demonstrate a need. Somewhat surprisingly, the price for the Indigo apartment I toured, although listed online, is also a bit hard to pin down. That is because unit prices vary widely depending upon factors such as the unit’s location within the building and the duration of the lease. A one-bedroom, 697-square-foot apartment can run as little as $3,620 or as much as $5,236. Add to that the fact that Indigo has “unbundled” parking: parking in the building’s garage is not included in your apartment rent, and must be paid for separately. Currently a single space in the Indigo garage runs $100 per month.

So just what do Indigo’s residents get for all that extra money? For one thing, the building’s exterior provides a hint of what you see inside. Indigo uses premium materials throughout, including real wood floors and floor-to-ceiling windows. Individual apartments are equipped with some of the latest in automation, such as electronic door locks and smart thermostats. Naturally, the kitchens and bathrooms contain solid-surface countertops, fixtures and appliances. Extras such as wine fridges are common, and all units contain their own washers and dryers, something you definitely don’t get at Villa Montgomery. As for common-area amenities, Indigo has many, including a well-equipped gym, dedicated yoga and spin studios, a saltwater pool, a hot tub, and indoor and outdoor lounges with TVs and fireplaces. There is even a “pet park” where your pet can play in security and comfort. And, Indigo has a concierge who presumably helps take care of resident’s needs.

Villa Montgomery has almost none of this, of course. Many of the building’s interior walls are made of concrete block, and the apartments have only basic appliances such as a range and a refrigerator. You won’t find dishwashers or individual washing machines here (there is a shared laundry, though). Expect to see linoleum, Formica and inexpensive carpeting. On the plus side, many units do have balconies, and all have assigned parking spaces. And there’s a small business center, a clubhouse and a lounge, plus a secure outdoor space with a grill, a picnic area and a playground.

In essence, both apartments are really just clean, reasonably sized, secure spaces where one can live. The many extras that Indigo provides absolutely make the resident a bit more comfortable, and give residents more things to do on property. Whether those options are worth the extra cost, well, that is up to the individual. It all depends upon what they are willing and able to pay for.

Greg Wilson is the creator of Walking Redwood City, a blog inspired by his walks throughout Redwood City and adjacent communities. He can be reached at greg@walkingRedwoodCity.com. Follow Greg on Twitter @walkingRWC.