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Washington Business Journal: Toby Bozzuto didn’t just help build Anthem House — he’s also the DJ

Toby Bozzuto and his company, the Bozzuto Group, recently opened the new Anthem House apartment complex in Baltimore's Locust Point. Along with Scott Plank's War Horse Cities and Solstice Partners, the Greenbelt-based Bozzuto Group built the $100 million, 292-unit complex, and residents started moving in June 1. And when they're hanging out in Anthem House's many communal spaces, including the outdoor pool facing the Inner Harbor or fitness center, they'll not only be looking at his work all around them — they'll also be listening to his favorite music. Bozzuto, a one-time intern for the band Blues Traveler, hand-picked 200 songs to add to a special Spotify playlist (see below) that's played throughout Anthem House. Songs from Bob Marley, Coldplay and Radiohead can be heard in Anthem House's gym, lobby and lounges throughout all hours of the day. This is the first time Bozzuto curated a playlist for one of the company's many developments, but he said it's a touch he plans to add to all projects going forward. "To me, a building is like a stage set where our customers can manifest their very best selves," Bozzuto said of why he wanted to create the playlist. "Thus, we are not creators of real estate, rather we are curators of experience." Bozzuto, who minored in music during his undergraduate years at Colgate University, said he wanted to pick songs that he felt were peaceful and calm — a theme that he felt matches the design of Anthem House. "My partner Scott Plank and I on this project wanted to raise the bar for Baltimore," he said. "How could have I left the music to chance?" The "Anthem House" playlist can be found on Spotify for anyone to listen to. Other selections from the soundtrack include Modest Mouse's "Float On," M.I.A.'s 2010 hit "Paper Planes" and DJ Jazzy Jeff and Will Smith's "Summertime" from 1992. Rents at Anthem House start at $1,850 for a studio, $2,125 for a one-bedroom and $2,750 for two bedrooms. Nine units on the eighth floor are catering to empty nesters and have additional finishes and features, including a wine refrigerator. The apartments start at $4,500 a month and are 1,400 square feet or larger. The S-shaped Anthem House has one acre of outdoor and green space between two elevated courtyards with an outdoor kitchen and grill, a two-sided fireplace and lounge seating. A 3,800-square-foot fitness center and studio has sightlines of outdoor space and opens up to the pool deck. The lobby is open to the public from 7 a.m. to midnight and features various murals, paintings, a fireplace and seating areas. A sliding wood door will open to Amber, a craft beer and coffee-centric restaurant occupying 2,000 square feet. The restaurant is scheduled to open in September.