Aventura at Contee Crossing in Baltimore: A Mixed-Income Apartment Community in Woodlawn
Aventura at Contee Crossing is a 246-unit apartment community in the Woodlawn neighborhood, situated along the Patuxent River near the intersection of Contee Road and Interstate 95. The development combines market-rate and affordable housing units, making it relevant to renters across different income brackets seeking apartments in southwest Baltimore County's more residential corridor.
What Aventura at Contee Crossing actually is
The property opened in phases starting in 2018 and is managed as a mixed-income community, meaning some units are reserved for households earning 60 percent or less of the area median income, while others rent at market rates. The complex includes one and two-bedroom floor plans with standard finishes. Unit sizes range from approximately 650 to 900 square feet. The site occupies roughly 20 acres and includes surface parking, a community building, and access to nearby trails along the Patuxent River, which separates the property from the Howard County border.
Pricing and affordability structure
Market-rate one-bedroom units at Aventura rent between $1,300 and $1,500 monthly, depending on floor and lease terms; two-bedroom units range from $1,600 to $1,900. Affordable units designated for households at 60 percent AMI rent at approximately $600 to $800 for one-bedrooms and $750 to $950 for two-bedrooms. Affordable units are allocated by lottery or waitlist; eligibility requires income verification. Most leases run 12 months. The property charges a $350 application fee and typically requires first month's rent and a security deposit equal to one month's rent. Lease terms, pricing, and affordable unit availability change seasonally and should be confirmed directly with the leasing office.
Parking is included in all leases at no additional charge. Residents have access to a fitness center, community room, and outdoor seating areas. Trash and water are included in rent for all units; tenants pay their own electric and gas.
How Aventura compares to other Woodlawn and southwest Baltimore options
Aventura's mixed-income structure sets it apart from purely market-rate complexes in the area. Other rental communities in Woodlawn, such as those near Security Boulevard, typically offer market-rate only and do not reserve units for lower-income households. The addition of affordable units makes Aventura relevant to households earning under $40,000 annually, whereas competitors in the immediate area generally require higher income thresholds.
Price-wise, Aventura's market-rate rents fall in the moderate range for Baltimore County apartments with included parking and parking-free nearby transit access. For renters seeking purely affordable housing, the Affordable Housing Opportunities Commission (AHOC) manages additional properties throughout Baltimore County; however, those typically have longer waitlists and narrower availability windows.
The property's riverside location differs meaningfully from suburban strip-oriented apartments closer to Security Boulevard or Gwynn Oak. Residents here have walking access to undeveloped parkland; apartments nearer commercial corridors trade proximity to shops and services for green space.
Who Aventura suits and who it doesn't
Aventura is well-suited to renters earning 60 percent of AMI ($48,000 for a household of three in 2024) who qualify for affordable units and want to avoid long waitlists at public housing authorities. It also works for market-rate renters who commute via I-95 and prefer lower-density residential surroundings over closer-in neighborhoods.
Aventura is not ideal for renters without cars; the site sits between Woodlawn and Arbutus with limited walkable retail. The nearest MARC station (West Baltimore) is roughly two miles away. Renters seeking walkable neighborhoods with dining and services nearby should consider apartments closer to the inner city, in Canton, or along the Light Rail corridor. The Contee Road location also means longer commute times to downtown Baltimore or Towson compared to more central locations.
Applying and move-in process
Prospective renters begin with a leasing office appointment to view units and request an application. The application requires pay stubs or tax returns demonstrating income, a photo ID, and Social Security number. Background screening includes a credit check and criminal history review; standards for approval vary by unit type. Affordable-unit applicants may face additional verification steps. Approval typically takes five to seven business days. After approval, residents sign the lease, submit the security deposit and first month's rent, and receive move-in instructions. Keys are released on the lease start date. The leasing office is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with Saturday hours available by appointment.
Parking and how to reach the property
All parking is surface lot; residents receive one unreserved space per lease. Aventura's address is 1 Aventura Way, Baltimore, MD 21228. The property is accessible via Contee Road off I-95's Woodlawn exit. There is no direct public transit to the site. Verification of current lease pricing and affordable-unit openings is recommended before visiting, as inventory and rates shift seasonally.
For renters balancing affordability with the need for parking and suburban quiet, Aventura fills a narrow niche in the southwest Baltimore County rental market by offering both options at a single address.
