From the 11th floor pool deck, the entire D.C. and Rosslyn skyline can be seen. The Custis bike trail is next to its foundation. Mom's Organic Market will be just across the street.
But the first residents of the new Verde Pointe apartments on Lee Highway just learned they'll have to delay their move-in dates.
Brian Cockman said the high-rise fulfilled everything he was looking for when he decided to relocate from North Carolina to begin a masters degree program at George Washington University on Sept. 1. Last spring, he signed a contract to move in Aug. 1.
But Cockman said the building's property management company, McCaffery Interests, called him in July to inform him the move-in would be delayed until Aug. 3. Then another call: Aug. 8. Then this week, more bad news: The building is still not ready for occupants.
Cockman is angry.
"I had planned my whole life around this move. You don't mess with people's livelihoods and lives like that, and this has put a big clinker in my plans," he said.
Arlington County Housing officials said the building still needs several required inspections before its managers can seek occupancy permits.
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McCaffery Interests leasing managers tell News4 they've contacted all the prospective tenants who planned to move in during early August to make sure they have a place to stay.
Founder and CEO Dan McCaffery said he's working with future residents.
"McCaffery Interests is equally disappointed that Verde Pointe has not been finished and inspected in the time-frame and to the level we are accustomed," he said in a statement. "We share this responsibility with others involved with the development and will make it right.
"Collectively, we’re focusing our energy on resolving the issue in the shortest time possible and communicating directly with our residents on resolutions," he continued.
Cockman said he'll live temporarily in his parents' Greenboro, N.C., home. He believes McCaffery should be offering more to future residents left in the lurch.
"The right thing to do in my opinion would be to put up these people, including myself, up in either another property or a hotel and defray or underwrite moving expanses," said Cockman.
McCaffery representatives said they expect some of the necessary inspections to take place next week. They now estimate some residents may be able to start moving in within the next three weeks. That will be cutting it close for Cockman. Class starts Sept. 1.
"I very much want to live at Verde Pointe. It ticked all the boxes. I think it's going to be great community," he said. "When I have a plan set, I stick to it."
