Dogs love you unconditionally. They excitedly greet you when you come home, offering much-needed snuggle time and a friend whenever you want. It’s nice to return the favor with something special. That’s why a number of apartment complexes in Northern Virginia have started to offer special amenities to their four-legged residents, including high-end spas for dogs.
At Latitude, an apartment complex in Arlington’s Virginia Square neighborhood, residents can pamper their pets in a luxury spa that offers space for both bathing and grooming sessions. Appointments with an on-site professional groomer are also available for an extra fee.
“Our residents love the convenience of having the dog spa on-site and the ability for it to be self-serve or utilized by a preferred provider,” says Nicole Stanley, senior community manager at Latitude.
Latitude isn’t alone. In recent years, local developer JBG Smith has made pet amenities a priority in its residential developments, with eight of its nine NoVA communities—including The Bartlett and RiverHouse in 2016 and Vy in 2018—featuring pet spas or other Fido-friendly offerings.
“We understand that pets are a part of your family, which means we strive to make them comfortable from the smallest touches,” says Tiffany Butcher, executive vice president of JBG Smith. “It’s important that pets love living in these communities just as much as people do.”
Luxury spas are just one way these communities cater to pet owners. Latitude, for example, hosts pet-friendly events, like dog adoption fairs, holiday pet photo sessions and cocktail hours that welcome pets (dubbed Yappy Hours) to build community among its residents and their pampered pooches.
On-site dog parks, treat stations and professional dog walkers and pet sitters are all also available to make a pet just as much of a resident as their owners. Greystar, which owns Latitude and other local residential complexes, even encourages members of its teams to know all of names of the pets’ that live in their buildings.
“Pet amenities are in demand, but also distinguish and set new apartment buildings apart from others in the area,” says Noelle Sharbaugh, managing director of real estate for Greystar, who adds that 30 percent of Greystar residents in the Metro-D.C. area are pet owners. “Being pet friendly is critical and has certainly helped Latitude become a great community with many faces and tails.”
