THE PREMIER APARTMENTS GRAND OPENING PHOTO GALLERY - DOWNTOWN SILVER SPRING

Downtown Silver Spring officially welcomed its newest high-rise residential building yesterday, The Premier, with a VIP-studded Grand Opening that included a red carpet welcome for guests and residents. The opening was lauded by the Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce, whose President and CEO, Jane Redicker, was in attendance. Maryland's State Comptroller - and Montgomery County resident - Peter Franchot presented a proclamation saluting the new building, and those who made it possible. Franchot also presented the building's developers (Guardian Realty) with one of his collectable, official coins.

The red carpet was rolled out

Other public officials included Montgomery County Council President Craig Rice, councilmembers Hans Riemer and Nancy Floreen, Delegate Sheila Hixson, Gaithersburg Mayor and County Councilmember-elect Sid Katz, and Economic Development Director Steve Silverman.

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot
and fellow MoCo resident, Gaithersburg
Mayor Sid Katz

Premier developer Guardian Realty's
Brian and Marvin Lang receive
commendation from Jane Redicker of
the Greater Silver Spring Chamber

Guests were treated to champagne, an open bar in the building's swanky second-floor clubroom, and tours of model units. They also got to take in the spectacular views of downtown Silver Spring afforded by The Premier's rooftop deck. That "15th floor" view extends beyond Silver Spring, as one can see Bethesda and White Flint in the distance.

Mayor Katz checks out the
rooftop deck

Enlarge this pic, and you'll
notice a light-colored dome
at dead center,
far in the distance - can
you identify it?

There is also a dome I spotted between buildings in the distance, but I can't identify it. My guess would be the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in northeast Washington, D.C. If you know what it is, please leave a comment below.

The building is slightly more modest in height and footprint than some of the towers that have opened this year in downtown Bethesda. It is 14 floors tall, and features 160 units that range from studios to 2 bedrooms. Like another new Vantage Management property, the Gallery Bethesda, The Premier is 100% smoke-free. Pets are allowed, with some restrictions. A few other cool features: you are minutes away from not only the Silver Spring Metro station, but also an on-ramp to the Capital Beltway; there is a 24-hour concierge; and The Premier has a LEED certification. Two more bonuses? You are a couple of doors up from one of the best examples of architecture in downtown Silver Spring, the Sheraton hotel. And unlike many apartment buildings, it is easy to invite friends over - there is a large, public parking garage just across from the back of the building where they can conveniently park.

The Silver Spring Sheraton
hotel - one of my favorite
buildings in downtown
Silver Spring - is very close

Nice touches include the overlook of the clubroom down to the well-appointed lobby, upscale furnishings in the common areas, a butterfly garden that can be viewed from many of the units, and a good-size pocket park behind the building. That park features room for events, as well as three moving sculptures created by Barton Rubenstein, who was also in attendance with his wife. A brisk wind kept the sculptures in motion yesterday (stay tuned for the video of the event, to see that for yourself, and much more!).

Barton Rubenstein created the
stainless steel sculptures that
residents - and the public - can
view anytime in the park behind
The Premier

The "Botero Ballerinas"

Yep, they're moving alright

The park behind The Premier

VIPs awaiting the ribbon-cutting
(stay tuned for that on video)

Inside the lobby

Cool view of the lobby
from the second floor
Clubroom

The lobby is nicely-appointed

Open bar in the clubroom
yesterday

Swag bags

Clubroom (behind that curtain
is a view of Georgia Avenue below)

Choose from these coffees
(if you move in)

The butterfly garden on
a lower roof terrace; the
foliage - designed to
attract butterflies - will
grow over time

Rear view of The Premier

The building features
above-ground garage
parking below the units

View from across Georgia Avenue

8711 Georgia Avenue, to
be exact

Want to live at The Premier? Act fast, because there were only about 17 units left as of yesterday. Rents are more affordable than the new buildings in Bethesda, and the building has leased up quickly.