Seven years ago, NoMa was not a destination neighborhood and nearby Union Market was a desolate shell. Tonight, as Elevation at Washington Gateway holds its grand opening, the 400-unit luxury apartment project seems to be creating a bridge between the two emerging neighborhoods. MRP Realty principal Matt Robinson (shown here with Charley McGrath and Kevin Schaar) says the complex literally stands at a crossroads: the confluence of two of DC's busiest streets, New York and Florida Avenues.

The luxury apartment project's also tucked right next to the New York Avenue Bridge, which made the site difficult to access. So a traffic signal was put at 2nd and Florida. Instead of a roadblock, Matt tells us they saw an opportunity for high-end living because there weren't any tall buildings to obstruct the great views. What's more, Elevation's farm-to-table restaurant Union Social is a symbolic connector between NoMa's fast-casual options and Union Market's local and artisanal vendors.