Review of Domus at University City
University City provides students and educators of all ages access to some of Philadelphia's top academic institutions and research centers, including the University of Pennsylvania, the local Saint Joseph's University campus, and Drexel University. Housing is at a premium in this area, which is why it's so important to discuss apartment options like Domus that provide more than a place to stay. Instead, Domus offers an affordable yet luxurious housing experience that's above and beyond many other local offerings.
Since its construction in 2007 for $77,000,000, the award-winning Domus (stylized dōmus and DOMUS, which means "home" in Latin) mixed-use residential apartment complex at 3411 Chestnut Street, in Philadelphia, PA, 19104, has been an established West Philadelphia landmark on 2.5 acres in the University City neighborhood.
The property abuts the 34th intersection, Chestnut Street and the University of Pennsylvania. It's also within close distance to the Schuylkill River. This eight-floor high-rise welcomes undergraduate and graduate students, teachers, researchers, families and corporate renters to explore the benefits and advantages of luxury loft-style living.
Domus is in a prime real estate location and features 23,000 square feet of ground-level retail space in addition to its residential offerings. It provides both onsite access and proximity to fine dining, casual and other eateries, banks and financial institutions, healthcare and medical facilities, and entertainment venues. It's also a short distance from a wide variety of academic and cultural institutions within University City and Center City. Although residents can quickly obtain public transportation at this location, they also receive controlled access to 320 spaces of free, unreserved automotive parking in the site's five-story parking garage. Any guests with cars or other forms of personal transportation can make use of nearby metered street parking on Chestnut and Ludlow streets.
The Domus development provides extravagant and stylish modern standard, furnished and corporate one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartment homes between 793 and 1,635 square feet. No matter the living area, each resident experiences an abundance of natural light and spaciousness in apartments that feature 10-foot-high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows. The windows make Domus truly special because of the amazing views of architectural and natural elements within University City and Center City.
Unit furnishings and amenities vary by apartment type. Each apartment typically offers a balcony or patio, air conditioning, built-in bookcases and desks, a den or an office area, a gourmet kitchen with an island, stainless steel appliances, vanities, one-to-two bathrooms, combined or standalone showers and tubs, and one-to-two walk-in closets. A unit might have a washer and dryer set, or residents might need to use the on-site community laundry and dry cleaning services. Furnished apartments provide residents every item they need within the home, including kitchenware. Common construction materials in all these elegant spaces for the counters, backsplashes, floors and walls include high-quality hardwood, granite, slate, tile, travertine, quartz and wood.
Residents can choose to use a smart home package within their apartment home. Smart options include a thermostat that permits morning, night, vacation, emergency and other temperature adjustments and preschedules; locks that provide remote access to welcome family and guests while away and lock status notifications; and outlets that allow prescheduled settings for appliances and the lights. Residents can connect their private smart speakers to the home system to create a more engaging entertainment experience as well.
Community amenities at Domus set it apart from many similar developments in University City. Beyond private access to the first-level business and retail spaces, the community provides a 24-hour concierge service, a Wi-Fi internet café and even a private screening room. On the second floor, residents can visit an elevated outdoor pool with an extra heated water setting, a sun deck, fireplaces and a grilling area. Domus also has a community clubhouse and business center that provides a co-working lounge and private conference and study areas. Additional amenities include spa-style soaking tubs and bathrooms; a premiere, state-of-the-art cardio-focused fitness center; game rooms with card and multimedia setup; laundry and dry cleaning services; and moving and lifestyle services through third-party providers. Residents also receive secure round-the-clock access to package lockers. They can receive real-time notifications about delivered packages, and use a key or private passcode to access their locker.
Did you know Domus is also a modern, museum-quality urban art site? Residents and visitors can walk winding paths through the "Wave Forms" public art installation by internationally acclaimed Washington state native and sculptor Dennis Oppenheim. Designed with six 8.5-ton aluminum and mesh bells, the highest at 34 feet tall, the installation and surrounding greenery and hardscape trigger a blend of sensory experiences.
Lastly, flexibility is one of the most attractive aspects of the Domus lifestyle. Potential residents who love their cats, dogs and other pets can rejoice. For a fee, they can bring their furry family members to the complex to enjoy the pet-friendly environment. Various lease and payment options also exist. They can choose short-, medium- and long-term monthly leases (i.e., 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 months). They can also set up bi-weekly payments to make paying easier. The site's management even allows multiple unrelated students and other residents to share a lease and split their rent to make living in these luxury apartments more affordable.