Imagine the architectural charm of a coastal European village, paired with all the best amenities a luxury Southern California apartment community has to offer. Then put it a half mile from the Pacific Ocean, and conveniently close to Los Angeles International Airport, great shopping and public transportation. Sound too good to be true? Not so fast. Welcome to Aqua Marina del Rey. This Class A apartment community has undergone major improvements and upgrades since BRE Properties purchased it two years ago. Today it’s a thriving community with a diverse resident base that includes students, professionals, pet lovers and families. Enjoying an active, outdoor lifestyle is one thing that the Aqua residents all seem to have in common, and their apartment community is ideally suited to meet those desires. On a late summer weekday evening residents were taking full advantage of the swimming pools, outdoor barbecue grills, sun-soaked terrace seating, and professional-grade gym. A resort-style atmosphere permeated the 500-unit complex, from the residents and their pets enjoying the on-site grass dog run to those soaking up some Southern California sunshine by the pool. And after dark, things are just getting started at Aqua. On a warm night you can lounge under the stars next to the two-sided outdoor fireplace, hit the hot tub with your friends, or play a game of pool with a neighbor. The barbecue area is lit up with romantic hanging lights for dining alfresco.  There’s a comfortable Wi-Fi lounge for studying or work projects, coached fitness classes offered in the gym and big screen entertainment in the clubhouse. Manager Summer Swensson told us that it’s the unparalleled amenities that are most popular with Aqua’s residents, especially the fitness classes, outdoor barbecues and Wi-Fi lounge. All of the common areas are equipped with Wi-Fi, and we saw residents with laptops and iPads taking advantage of the convenience all over the community. “At this community, more so than any I’ve worked at, the amenities get used every day,” Swensson said. With easy access to the 405 freeway, LA Metro bus system and LAX just minutes away, the location is convenient for commuters and world-traveling professionals. Or, you can leave your car behind and walk to nearby eateries and shops, the Marina del Rey harbor, Venice Beach Park and more. Residents told us that beyond the convenient location and great amenities, not to mention their lovely and spacious apartments, they like the other people who live at Aqua. Their easy camaraderie was evident as they chatted during a recent gathering.  Despite the large size of the community, its many common spaces and village-like ambiance make it easy to strike up friendships. Yardi would like to thank BRE staff members Summer Swensson, Jennifer Bardin, Sean Allen, Edger España, Marques Williams, Alfonso Vasquez, and Alyssa Batu for their warm welcome during our recent photo shoot at Aqua, as well as residents Serene Rabah, Jason Fineberg, Gina Blancarte, Audrey Wu, Joe Airo and Tiphanie Lewis, who participated in the photographs. See more photos of Aqua and its staff and residents...