Life in the City

-by Sandra Simmons

The loftier the building, the deeper must the foundation be laid. - Thomas Kempis 1380-1471

It’s everywhere. Bursting in magazines and newspapers, proclaimed on billboards and bus benches, paraded all over the internet, and stuffed in your mailbox.

Colorful images of beautiful, vibrant people enjoying life to the fullest accompanied by words such as elegant, privacy, refinement, unparalleled, and exclusive smattered about.

Who doesn’t want to live at a prestigious address, just steps away from shopping, dining, cultural and sporting venues?

Who doesn’t want the most spectacular views, an opulent grand entrance, a state-of-the-art fitness room, and lovely pool and spa area enveloped in a lush tropical setting?

And for your every need, valet attendants, concierge on call, and 24-hour security patrol.

It’s all about placing the reader into an image, and creating a lofty foundation of life in the lap of luxury.

Is this foundation the reality? Just what makes a building sought after? Is it the address? The view? The cost? One can find all of these essentials in many Downtown buildings.

But what if the people in the elevator aren’t sociable; does it make the building sterile? Does a building that has a large population of second home owners or a high tenant turn over rate affect the friendliness and thus the livability?

I wonder…Do we build the building, or does it build us?

Some Downtowners bring their community foundation with them from building to building. They themselves are community, and they bring that with them wherever they move.

Brett Schaffter (Pinnacle) often finds a sense of comfort and community already permeating the building when he moves into a new home. Thus, he feels it’s easy to make new friends. Yet, he still maintains a strong link with his former neighbors.

Sharon Tentilucci (Grande North) didn’t know how bored she used to be until she moved Downtown. She adds an extra half-an-hour to her walk to work as she meets friends and former neighbors along the way. She recognizes a sense of extended family in the new buildings, and great new opportunities to make friends.

Dan Brown (Grande South) notices he is building a larger circle of friends, and it makes Downtown feel smaller and more neighborly. This becomes more apparent to him as he sees a growing number of people he knows on his daily walk.

Tom Brown (Grande South) sees each building as a little town, and the little towns are getting to know each other.

We all know that people of similar interests are drawn together; therefore, we can conclude that the images and words enticing us to purchase in a particular building, combined with architecture and floor plan style, attract neighbors who are alike. Taking this even one degree further, those drawn to living Downtown must be of like kind.

Next time you see your neighbor (whether in your building or a neighboring one) introduce yourself. It will make our community foundation deeper! And, loftier! - August 2006

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