The Stories at Congressional Plaza opens with a focus on well-being

“It turns out that people who are more socially connected to family, to friends, to community, are happier, they're physically healthier, and they live longer than people who are less well connected.” Those are the words of psychiatrist Robert Waldinger, Director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development.

Stories at Congressional Plaza, a new boutique apartment community in Rockville, Maryland, was conceived and created with that fact in mind.

With just 48 apartments, this new community was developed by Federal Realty Investment Trust in partnership with Smart Living 360 to bring together a combination of services, amenities and design features in a living environment that enhances overall well-being for residents.

A Lifestyle Ambassador leads an initiative at The Stories on establishing a connected community, helping to facilitate a sense of place. This important role also ensures that residents have easy access to the services and resources they need. Living a less stressful, simplified lifestyle is the goal for all residents of The Stories.

“The concept that community is a driving force behind well-being is a compelling one,” said Michael Ennes, Vice President of Residential Branding and Operations at Federal Realty. “We, along with Smart Living 360, are excited to be pioneering a community at The Stories that embraces this concept with an enhanced living environment and experience.”

Greg Timpone, a former member of the exclusive Les Clefs d’Or international society of professional hotel concierges, has left the world of luxury hotels to pioneer the unique role of Lifestyle Ambassador at The Stories.

“The Stories is a thoughtfully created community that is on a mission to improve how people live,” Timpone said. “Being connected to neighbors and having easy access to resources and services is as important to that goal as the physical environment. My role is to support a connected and simplified lifestyle for The Stories residents.”

The Stories is part of a walkable, mixed-use environment at Congressional Plaza, a busy 380,000-square-foot shopping center owned and operated by Federal Realty on Rockville Pike. Congressional is anchored by The Fresh Market, The Container Store and Last Call by Neiman Marcus.

The Stories offers seven open floor plans—one-, two- and three-bedrooms ranging from 746 square feet to 1,429 square feet. All kitchens feature roll-out cabinetry, stainless steel appliances and full-size washer/dryers, and all homes are WiFi enabled and equipped with fiber optic high-speed Internet.

For a personal touch, residents can also customize their new homes with paint colors and optional upgrades like smart thermostats and digital home entertainment products.

Community amenities include a state-of-the-art fitness center, club room with a catering kitchen, flex office space and outdoor gardens with patios and grill stations. Residents also have pool, theater room and guest suite privileges at the neighboring The Crest community, also by Federal Realty.

The Stories also incorporates universal design—a set of design standards that ensures to greatest extent possible that products and environments are usable by all people without the need for adaptation or specialized design. These features at The Stories include easy-grip door handles and fixtures, brighter task lighting, walk-in showers, slip-resistant flooring and many others.

For leasing information call 301-242-0548 or visit TheStories.com.