Anyone who has ever jokingly said that when they die, they want to be reborn as their pampered house pet, no longer has to hope for a targeted rebirth in the afterlife to experience the pampering that they want in this life. Thanks to Scott Pannick – founder and president of Metropolis Development Company, who brought us Langston Lofts (with Busboys & Poets on the ground floor) and other downtown notables such as Lofts 14 and Lofts 14 II – those who seek the pampered life can simply buy it, and live in it, and enjoy it – in this life.

In fact, you do not even have to wait until the building’s completion in 2008 to start being pampered. A simple ratified contract is all it takes. And then the buyer is entitled to start using the concierge service offered by the Metropole, with concierge Edwin Gonzalez already on the job. Need a dog walker? Theater tickets? Dinner reservations? Hotel accommodations for out of town guests? Don’t surf the web, don’t thumb through the Yellow Pages, just call Edwin. He will be happy to assist you before the dry wall in your future home is even hung.

The Metropole, a 90-unit condominium community located at 1515 15th St. NW, directly across from Whole Foods, exemplifies convenience and style. After completing his first luxury condominium project, Pannick realized that future projects would have to be more distinctive. “In the beginning (a decade or so ago), all sales were done on a pre-sale basis. Everything was luxury, and the projects were indistinguishable. Now buyers are more savvy and discerning and understand that all projects are not the same. … In the Metropole, every unit has to have a ‘WOW’ factor. That’s always the question. What is the ‘WOW’ factor?” said Pannick.

To accomplish the “WOW” factor, Pannick was the only condominium developer in the city to hire an international design firm to work with the architect. The focus was to create a unique living experience whose guiding principles are based on how urbanites live, not on particular finishes, although a local interior designer was hired to cover those aspects as well.

“I heard that Toronto has the most sophisticated condominium market in North America, so I went there. It was really an eye-opening experience. The whole market and product is more sophisticated. … We retained a Canadian architecture firm to help us design the interior of the Metropole, and we did a lot of things we had never seen before. We have more sleek, sophisticated kitchens so we could fit more features into less space. We did not purchase kitchens from a manufacturer. The kitchens were designed by designers and built by cabinet makers. It allowed us to really fit things into the spaces we have. We could be much more flexible to get our kitchens to work right, and it was the same with bathrooms. … Different kitchens have different designs … oak-roll out drawers, a pantry or other options,” said Pannick.

Canadian firm Cecconi Simone Inc. also designed accent pieces that are exclusive to the Metropole. “It’s just a little bit different to be better able to fit into the spaces,” explained Pannick. “We have ‘urban fireplaces’ to bring excitement and interest to the units,” he elaborated. Also, the building is unique in that it fronts on three streets and has a high “street frontage interior ratio” – a technical term meaning a lot of sunlight. And considering its location, it also means dramatic views.

The building will also be home to a four story VIDA Fitness and Bang Salon. “And we are in negotiation with additional retailers,” stated Pannick.

Despite the focus on design, amenities and retail, Pannick still did not consider the building finished “There is a difference between ‘done’ and ‘finished,’” he stated. And to get the building finished, he initiated an art program to acquire art for the public spaces in the building and an art competition to select an artist to create a free standing sculpture for the corner of 15th and P streets NW. Local sculptor Lisa Scheer won the competition.

Pannick believes the condominium market will remain strong in Washington, DC. “The underlying dynamic for the marketplace is just plain old supply and demand. The metropolitan region has experienced positive population growth and job formation so you know there will be continuing demand. Combine that with the fact that Washington has supply constraints – low zoning, historic designations, citizens groups – there is not a lot of supply. We are suffering now from national news reporting on the subprime crisis. It exists in Des Moines, but it makes buyers in this market think it must be happening here. But I am absolutely certain that this area is still a strong market.

For more information, visit www.metropolestyle.com. Sales are being handles by DCRealEstate.com (www.dcrealestate.com).