The Satori Blog

Happy New Year! We hope that everyone had a lovely holiday season and is ready to kick off the New Year. For many of us, that means making some sound resolutions on January 1st and sticking to them....well, as long as possible. Here at Satori, we'll be your cheerleaders and encourage you to stay on your path to happiness and health throughout the year. When you live at Satori, it's easy to adhere to some of the most popular and most important New Year's Resolutions. Do any of these ring a bell?

"I resolve to lose weight!"

If you're interested in getting in shape in 2009, Satori offers plenty of fun fitness options. Our clubhouse provides a fully-equipped high-tech gym, with cardio and strength-training equipment, as well as fitness classes and a body-friendly juice bar. Satori also offers residents a year-round pool; but then again, with Satori practically providing apartments on the beach, you can head to the spectacular Fort Lauderdale beach anytime to soak in the sun or take a long walk in the sand. Regardless of your schedule or personality, there's a healthy way for you to shed those stubborn pounds, right here at Satori. And every time you hit the gym or put on your running shoes, you can reward your efforts with a lengthy steam in the sauna, time soaking in the whirlpool spa, or a rejuvenating full body massage!

It's nearing the end of the year, a time when we sit down to reflect, embark on new paths and gaze expectantly into the promising future. We've been thinking about all of Satori's best features. They began as brainstorms about what the South Florida apartment lessee desires, and how to fulfill those unexplored niches for today's smart apartment finder. And soon those groundbreaking ideas will become a reality when Satori opens its doors in March 2009.

Last week we listed reasons #10 through #6: South Florida Lifestyle, Brand New Construction, Altman Developments, Location and Sense of Community. Now it's time to conclude our countdown of the Top Ten Reasons to Live at Satori. We've saved the best for last:

5) Health & Well Being. Incorporated into Satori's community, you'll find great ways to stay healthy and stay in shape. From the meditative atmosphere of the Zen garden to the fun fitness classes available at Satori's private gym, there are plenty of activities available exclusively to Satori residents. Learn about these amenities and more in this Thursday's special "New Year's Resolutions" article, coming up next on the Satori Living Blog.

4) Zen Living. When you combine some of Satori's best features-such as its eco-friendly attitude, the meditation garden, Zen-inspired interior design by Steven G. and relaxing massage sessions at the Spa-you get what we like to call a "Zensational" lifestyle. Due to the soothing, inspirational and uplifting amenities with which we've surrounded our tenants, you can live happily, healthily and most importantly, stress-free.

3) Customization. Another way that Satori stands out from its competitors in the downtown Ft. Lauderdale apartment rental market is that for a limited time, tenants can actually customize their apartments! First-comers will be able to choose from palettes designed by renowned designer Steven G. They can select their favorite countertops, accent paint colors and even what kind of flooring they prefer! Typically only homeowners receive the luxury of choice, but if you act now, that luxury can be yours.

2) Nearby Restaurants and Activities. Located on Sunrise Boulevard in downtown Ft. Lauderdale, you're surrounded on all sides by shopping, chic downtown eateries and plenty of concerts, plays and other hip local happenings. Down the street to the east is the Galleria mall, with plenty of popular stores such as Neiman Marcus and Macy's, as well as dining at Blue Martini, P.F. Changs and Seasons 52. You're also located close to the Gateway movie theater complex, and just a short drive to beachside attractions.

1) Eco-Friendly. Satori is South Florida's premiere eco-friendly rental community. Starting with earth-friendly construction methods, we've been conscientious about the environment from day one. And you'll continue to see our efforts to recycle waste and reduce energy consumption in every rental apartment unit, from the addition of Energy Star GE appliances and high-efficiency air conditioning to solar roof paneling. And remember-you're not only preserving the planet's delicate ecosystem, but also reducing your living costs in a big way!

We hope you keep in mind these ten advantages to renting an apartment with Satori as you compare Ft Lauderdale apartment rentals. We're confident that you won't find a better deal, a better lifestyle, better amenities or a more caring team than those of Satori.

The end of every year is a time for people to collect their thoughts about the previous year and project their plans and goals for the New Year. At Satori, we find it hard to believe that as soon as March 2009, Satori will finally open its doors and welcome residents! What began as simply an idea will finally become reality for us when we see moving trucks pulling into freshly paved streets, and happy families arriving to enter their new homes. We can hardly wait to see how satisfied you'll be with all of Satori's great amenities as well as the attractions within the surrounding Fort Lauderdale community.

Looking back on all the planning and effort that has gone into making Satori a one-of-a-kind South Florida rental community, we've compiled our reflections in the Top Ten Reasons to Rent an Apartment with Satori.

Here's Part One of the Top 10 countdown:

When you rent an apartment with Satori, it comes with plenty of fun and family-friendly activities just steps away at the Satori clubhouse. But we know it's important to branch out and familiarize with the greater Fort Lauderdale community as well. We're happy to tell you about other opportunities to socialize close to your downtown Ft. Lauderdale apartment, such as the Lifestyle Center at the Fort Lauderdale Whole Foods. That's right, Whole Foods-it's so much more than groceries. The Whole Foods Lifestyle Center provides a variety of interactive classes and diverse groups in which to participate, whether you aim to expand your local network or just share a memorable afternoon with your significant other, children or friends.

For example, have you ever thought about taking Salsa dance classes with your spouse? Whole Foods borrows notable local instructor Brian Anthony from Mambo Con Cache to teach beginners how to Salsa with style. Are the Waltz and Cha-Cha more your pace? Snacks and drinks are served as Charles Reynolds from the Fort Lauderdale Children's Theater shows you his classic dance moves. Or maybe dancing isn't your style, but you'd like to try yoga, Pilates or meditation classes to help you focus your thoughts and reduce stress in your life. The Lifestyle Center has something for everyone, whether you're adding spice to your life, or just need to take some time to slow things down and relax.

Naturally, Whole Foods includes all kinds of baking and tasting gatherings to add new flavors to your cooking repertoire. You can join the Lunch Club or Supper Club to taste new flavors and exchange recipes on a weekly basis, or meet for special food workshops such as Bread Baking, Cooking for One or The Art of Cheese. The Lifestyle Center also offers a series of free seminars and lectures covering popular topics such as macrobiotics, women's hormones and how to make healthy, homemade pet treats. For younger guests, the Kids' Corner offers youth-friendly cooking classes and activities for only $5 per class; it's an affordable and stimulating way to get kids out of the house and away from those television and computer screens!

Everyone knows that apartment rental searches are all about location, location, location. One bonus of leasing with Satori is that your Ft. Lauderdale apartment puts you in the midst of great dining and activities, providing you with more than just a place to live-it's a complete lifestyle. In honor of the Zen lifestyle at Satori, this week we're turning our sights to the Far East (well, technically a half mile northwest) to a popular local restaurant called Galanga Thai Kitchen and Sushi Bar.

Boasting an elegant backdrop of themed Thai décor, Galanga is the perfect place to go for a relaxing evening; the ambience is especially ideal for dates or any guests you seek to impress. Even the choosiest palates will be satisfied by Galanga's medley of classic and contemporary Asian tastes, complemented by an extensive wine and sake menu. Artfully arranged meals are served by Galanga's friendly and courteous staff, which adds the finishing touch to a flawless dining experience. Popular menu items include the Ceviche appetizer, anything from the Sushi Bar for a light and healthy lunch, or the traditional Pad Thai for dinner. For dessert, sample Tempura Cheesecake with strawberry sauce at the very wallet-friendly price of $7.00. Galanga offers delivery, catering and even reservations for private parties.

For two consecutive years, Galanga has been rated Extraordinary and "Zen-like" by Zagat. Other accolades include being called Where to Eat in Wilton Manors by The Washington Post and being ascribed with a "cool, cosmopolitan vibe" by Metromix.com. Galanga Thai Kitchen and Sushi Bar has also been noticed as a gay-friendly Ft. Lauderdale restaurant by PlanetOut.com, which recommends Galanga as a hotspot for dates with a "lovely romantic outdoor patio."

At Satori, we pride ourselves on being eco-friendly, life-inspiring and located in an optimal setting, offering the best elements of the Floridian lifestyle to those seeking apartments on the beach and close to downtown Ft. Lauderdale. We're used to standing out among South Florida apartments, but we're always seeking ways to further benefit the overall lifestyle of our residents.

One thing we're very earnest about is rewarding prospective tenants for being among the first to lease with Satori, because it's our intention to show you how committed we are to your satisfaction from the get-go-we want to set the standard and ensure that you're pleased with your choice to rent at Satori right from the start.

Here are just a few reasons why it's beneficial to act fast and be among the first to rent an apartment at Satori:

There are enough things to worry about in life without worrying about the unknowns of moving into a new neighborhood, surrounded by new people. Meeting your neighbors and joining community activities should be a fun and rewarding experience for new tenants. But when you rent from a private owner, there's no way of knowing who your neighbors are, which is a scary liability for you and your property. When you lease with Satori, you can rest easy knowing that Altman has already looked into each of your neighbors and found them qualified to join the secure Satori community.

The first step to guaranteeing your utmost comfort and security is the extensive background check that Altman performs on all of its leasing candidates. We want you to know that we go to great lengths to ensure that your community is wholesome and sound. We also perform standard credit checks in which we evaluate a prospective renter's history, and get to know them a little bit more. And when we approve tenants, those who will be your neighbors and part of the greater residential apartment community, we do so with you in mind. So you can rest assured that you and your family are in good company at Satori, our premier downtown Ft. Lauderdale apartment community.

Altman has over 40 years' experience in the field of apartment rentals, and we are always devoted to keeping our tenants safe. At Satori, we strive to promote a feeling of security and relaxation for when you're spending time at the clubhouse, the pool, the spa or any of our other enjoyable community areas. After all, it's hard to get into a Zen frame of mind when you're worried about, well, anything. So let us free some stress from your mind and help you enjoy a breezy, carefree Floridian lifestyle.

Have you always wanted an apartment on the beach? Are you interested in South Florida apartments for rent? What about a downtown Ft. Lauderdale apartment in the midst of trendy restaurants, hot nightclubs and amazing concert events?

If you're seeking a rental community with all of these traits and more, such as an exclusive gym, café and spa, then Satori is your ideal match. Want to learn more? Simply take a trip to the Satori Leasing Center which is now open at The Galleria Mall next to Niemans.

The Satori Leasing Center offers a cutting-edge solution to leasing. Satori is now leasing for March 2009 and beyond. Speculative renters can browse through digitalized floor plans, assess featured amenities and take a peek at potential apartment views. You can even take a virtual walk through the entire Satori residential community (including nearby points of interest) on a giant 40-inch touch-screen monitor. A scale model of the 279-unit luxury rental community is also available for viewing.

So you've got a stylish, chic apartment in Fort Lauderdale. Now you need a stylish, fun atmosphere for dining and socializing. Well, the great thing about living in an apartment in downtown Fort Lauderdale is the proximity to great restaurants, bars and eateries-such as Canyon, a trendy and piquant bar, restaurant and café.

Canyon is a staple of Ft. Lauderdale, offering traditional southwestern cuisine with Asian and South American accents and a modern flair. Nestled next to the Gateway movie theater, Canyon is an intimate, candlelit restaurant where lines begin forming right after work, and reservations aren't allowed ("no way...forget about it" says their website in a playful manner, which reflects the teasing, hip attitude of the café and its staff). Reviewers praise the culinary excellence and mastery of traditional spices and peppers by the renowned culinary team, which includes notable chefs Chris Wilver (Executive Chef), Alvaro Santos (Chef de Cuisine) and Dustin Falcon (Sous Chef).

Allow Executive Chef Chris Wilber to dazzle your taste buds with specialties such as Coriander Encrusted Tuna or Indonesian Spiced Bison Medallions. Every flavor can be complimented by a signature wine from Canyon's extensive wine menu. And you won't want to walk away without trying a sumptuous dessert such as Chocolate Bread Pudding or Toasted Pecan Pie.

At Satori, we recognize that staying fit and seeking relaxation are dual sides to leading a happy and healthy life. That's why we've provided all of the amenities you need and want in a South Florida apartment to exercise and energize your mind and body. Each of our diverse activities is complimentary to our residents and just steps from your new rental apartment.

Did you know that just thirty minutes of exercise three times a week can counterbalance stress and significantly reduce the risk of heart disease? According to the American Heart Association, simply committing to a blend of aerobic and anaerobic activity throughout the week may contribute to your longer and healthier life. Just doing some of the things you enjoy on a regular basis can enhance your overall quality of life, whether it's dancing alone in your apartment with the stereo on full blast, swimming laps in Satori's infinity pool or simply strolling along the scenic Ft. Lauderdale beach (minutes away).

Quality of life is what we're all about, and we make it as easy and fun as possible with the amenities at our state-of-the-art clubhouse which offers amenities that you will not find in other Fort Lauderdale apartments. A brand new two-story facility, The Club at Satori offers cardio and strength training equipment, as well as a whirlpool and sauna to steam away your stress. At The Club, you can enjoy all of your favorite workout amenities with contemporary workout equipment and flat screen TVs, as well as a juice bar to give your healthy lifestyle a nutritional supplement.