madison

Aug 28 2015

Top 10 Tips for Picking Your Next Apartment

As Isthmus previously stated, “Madison has become a city of renters.” The downtown Madison luxury apartment community exploded this past year, offering plenty of options for every taste. It’s important to consider these 10 items before selecting your new apartment home.

Your Budget

Most finance experts recommend that you allocate no more than 30% of your income for housing expenses. Consider the rent, utilities, parking, and any other monthly costs – are you comfortable with the resulting figure? Will the location assist in reducing your travel time to work, thereby alleviating your need for a vehicle and the associated costs? Can you use those savings to give yourself an “apartment upgrade” that you very much deserve?

Apartment Amenities

In the downtown Madison luxury apartment market many amenities come standard – in unit laundry, quality finishes, access to signature downtown dining and events, and more. Additional amenities may be available, but keep in mind you’ll likely pay an extra premium for those features. It’s very easy to get caught up in the lure of extravagant amenities but isn’t the excitement of being out and about in downtown Madison what attracted you to the area initially?

Transportation

Is the apartment on a bus line, or does it provide direct access to another means of public transportation? Is attached parking available, or will you have to walk two blocks to park your car? Is the location closer to work, alleviating your need for a car completely? If you have a bicycle, are bike paths nearby? Is there a Madison B-cycle station nearby for you to rent a bike? Does the apartment community have a high walk score?

Neighborhood

The neighborhood is an item that is often under-looked in apartment-hunting; many go into an apartment with the mentality “if I don’t like it I’ll move when my lease is up.” Instead, find a neighborhood you love, are proud to call home, and avoid moving every year. Are you right in the middle of student housing? Are your neighbors young professionals? Are there parties going on 24/7? Does your neighborhood provide direct access to entertainment and restaurants? If you have pets, is it a pet-friendly area? Is there green space nearby, or dog parks in walking distance?

Building Construction

Is the building well-built? Is there a layer of concrete between each floor for soundproofing from upstairs neighbors? Can you hear your neighbors through the walls? Are the entry and community areas well-maintained? Is it a non-smoking community? Is there sufficient lighting? Do the windows provide protection from the outdoor elements?

Safety

Does the building have controlled access and an intercom system? Is access made via a key, or a key fob? Are there adequate fire alarms? Do balconies have suitable railings to keep little ones at bay? Do the windows have locks? Are private entries secure? To check the crime around the neighborhood, use websites such as familywatchdog.us

Appliances

Are the appliances in working condition, and well maintained? Does the range hood vent to the outside, or just circulate the air? Are the appliances of a higher quality, with the finishes you’d prefer (e.g. stainless steel)? Is there central air?

Utilities

What utilities are you financially responsible for, and what utilities will your landlord pay? Are there enough outlets in each room to satisfy your electronic needs? Is your new apartment cable/internet ready so you can plug in and go? Does it offer 5Nines MicroNet hi-speed internet? Are there garbage chutes in the hallway, or do you have to walk all the way to a dumpster?

Staffing

Is management on site? Is there a dedicated maintenance team? Speak with current tenants if you can, and see how they feel about the quality of service received. Sites like www.apartmentratings.com can also be helpful in gaining insight not only to customer service of staff, but the overall apartment community.

Pet Policies

Does the apartment community accept animals? Is there a pet deposit, and is it charged per pet? Are there monthly pet fees? As to dogs, is there a weight limit or breed restriction? Is there green space nearby, or dog parks in walking distance? Are elevators roomy enough to allow for transporting dogs to and fro?

Be sure to bring this list of apartment renting tips with you when touring your next downtown Madison luxury apartment. If you have any questions or would simply like to learn more, the staff of 306 West would be happy to assist.

Model Unit Tours Daily: Mon 9-5, Tue-Fri 9-7, Sat 10-4, Sun 12-4 or by appointment 608.279.0174
306 West Main Street, Madison WI // Corner of Main & Henry

Aug 17 2015

The 11th Floor at 306 West

Stunning views of the lake, city, and Capitol
STARTING AT ONLY $1,700

The clean, modern aesthetic found on the 11th floor of these downtown Madison luxury apartments incorporates expansive windows, balconies, rooftop patios, and private community terraces for residents of 306 West and their guests.

The above unit is located on the 11th floor, and features the Modern finish collection – polished concrete floors, rich custom cabinetry, dark granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, a kitchen island with a breakfast bar, and a dark blue accent wall (one of four colors available). The above two-bedroom two-and-a-half bath unit is $3,500 per month for 1,871 square feet of space, while most remaining units on the 11th floor are one-bedroom one-bath ranging from $1,700 – $1,900.

With so much excitement surrounding you in the form of signature downtown dining and events, extra care has been placed in the details of your private luxurious living quarters rather than constructing redundant community spaces. Every unit has expansive windows to take advantage of natural lighting and only the highest quality finishes – granite, ceramic tile, vinyl plank flooring, Kohler fixtures, stainless steel GE appliances, french-door refrigerator, Bosch washer and dryer in-unit, and more.

Even amidst the excitement of downtown Madison, WI, 306 West is tucked away in one of the calmest corners of the Capitol. While spending time in the private courtyard using the gas grill and kitchenette, it may be difficult to believe that you really are only two blocks from Capitol Square. Additional quiet comfort can be found directly across from 306 West in the form of expansive green space for viewing pleasure. The park that has been installed on the site of St. Raphael Cathedral, which was destroyed by arson on March 14, 2005.

THE APARTMENTS:

two interior finish styles – Modern (shown above) and Cosmopolitan
granite countertops and vanity tops
gas grill hook-ups on balconies
tile floors and tile tub surrounds
stainless steel appliances
5Nines MicroNet hi-speed internet: symmetrical upload/download speed up to 100 Mbps speeds available (what does that mean? No more slow connections during peak times of use)

THE COMMUNITY:

covered or heated underground parking
dog and cat friendly: no weight limits or breed restrictions
24-hour fitness center
large private courtyard: kitchenette and grill, outdoor fireplace, lounge seating
indoor bicycle service station and ample bicycle parking
club room: complimentary coffee services, surround sound theater system, kitchenette
indoor, heated pet washing station
electric car charging station
controlled, secure access

THE NEIGHBORHOOD:

Current leasing specials include a reduced security deposit, assistance with moving expenses, free hi-speed internet, and more. Call for additional details or visit us during our daily open house hours – walk-ins welcome!

OPEN HOUSE HOURS:

Monday: 9am to 5pm
Tuesday: 9am to 7pm
Wednesday: 9am to 7pm
Thursday: 9am to 7pm
Friday: 9am to 7pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm
Sunday: 12pm to 4pm

View remaining floor plans and pricing.

Aug 11 2015

Moving into a Downtown Apartment with a Pet

10-15 years ago you would have been hard-pressed to find an apartment in downtown Madison, Wisconsin, that accepted pets – especially dogs. As the rental market developed landlords opted to position themselves against the competition by adopting more lax pet policies. Today you’ll find that the majority of apartments in downtown Madison accept pets in some shape or fashion. However, this past week the Humane Society of the United States reached out to 306 west as the pet policy not only stood out for Wisconsin, but was unique on a national level as well. The Human Society found that very few rental communities in the nation had as welcoming of a pet policy as 306 West, and wanted to know what our experience has been thus far.

“One of the major reasons animals wind up in shelters is because their owners can’t find housing that will allow them to bring their pets,” says Matthew Wildman, Pet Care Issues Manager of the Humane Society of the United States. “Specifically, owners of large dogs with heavier weights.”

That’s where one downtown Madison apartment stands out.

The Human Society commended 306 West for not having breed or weight limitations in place, and welcoming all dogs. While we do have a two-animal limit in place, it’s certainly negotiable. Ultimately, we would hate to see an animal displaced, or an individual seeking a new home be turned away simply for opening their heart up to animals. In our experience many prior homeowners obtained pets not expecting to transition into a rental situation, and may now find themselves with very few options if they have large pets or certain breeds.

The Humane Society was particularly interested in the impact that 306 West’s pet-friendly policies have had on the community. We’re proud to report that zero incidents have been reported to management thus far, and we do have larger breeds and breeds on the restricted list held by many properties. 306 West strives to establish a community where all pet-owners feel comfortable and welcome.

Notwithstanding the pet-friendly policies, 306 West has implemented several other measures to make pets feel at home with their owners. In walking distance of the downtown Madison apartment are Brittingham Dog Park and Quann Dog Park. After playing at the dog parks, pets are welcome to get clean in the heated, indoors pet-washing station. Multiple elevators are on the property, and they’re roomy enough for large dogs to easily navigate the walk from the apartment to the outdoors. Directly across the street from 306 West is a large, grassy area for dogs to take care of business (if you know what we mean). The downtown Madison apartments have also partnered with local groomers and dog-walkers to offer on-site services to pets in need.

Currently, a doggy meet-and-greet is being planned for residents of 306 West. The event will occur in the private courtyard and will give neighboring pets a chance to meet each other, and for their owners to meet local vendors such as dog-walkers, groomers, and boarding facilities. Stay tuned for more details!

To have your pet featured as a resident of 306 West, send pictures of your pet and a brief bio to Kendra Bishop at kbishop@alexandercompany.com.

Jul 09 2015

Living Downtown in Madison: A Resident’s Perspective

Yesterday we received a letter from a current resident of 306 West, living downtown in Madison, two blocks from Capitol Square. The tenant shared several factors that influenced his decision to select 306 West as his new home. Rather than sum up the contents we thought we’d share the letter with you, to read for yourself. While the names have been altered for privacy reasons the contents of the letter have remained untouched.

306 West LLC
Arnie Davis
306 West Main Street
Madison, WI 53703

Hi Arnie,

[Sharon] and I wanted to drop you a note about our residency at 306 West. We moved in on June 12, 2015, so we have been here about 5 weeks.

We chose 306 West for many reasons. In no particular order:

the views of the city and Lake Monona

the close proximity to the Square and all of the downtown restaurants and events

the south side of West Washington Avenue – it is a real neighborhood

the quality of appliances, doors, fixtures, countertops

the gas range and the ability to grill on the patio

the hardwood floors and quality tiles in the baths

being able to have [Max], our puppy, here

management has been very helpful and attentive

the loading dock and the high elevators make moving anything easy

the residents have been very friendly ([Max] attracts people to say Hi)

Thank you for allowing us to be residents. We look forward to a long stay.

Sincerely,

[Bob]

We can talk about our luxury apartments in downtown Madison until we’re blue in the face. Hearing it form a happy resident, like Bob, is what really matters. Stop in during our open house ours to see what went into making happy residents like Bob just that.

MODEL UNIT HOURS: mon 9-5, tue thru fri 9-7, sat 10-4, sun 12-4