Today's opening of the brand new 53 Danforth apartment building was celebrated by a line-up of well-known speakers. At the podium is Chellie Pingree, Maine's 1st District representative to the U.S. Congress, who is fresh from her much talked about appearance on The Colbert Report. To her left are Dale McCormick, director of the Maine State Housing Authority, Governor John Baldacci, the project's developers Nathan Szanton and Bob Monks, and, just out of the frame, Portland Mayor Jill Duson.

They gathered to applaud the construction of this attractive 43-unit apartment building named 53 Danforth in reference to its street address. It includes 30 affordable apartments and 13 market rate apartments. Located in the Studio District, this apartment building has super-insulated walls, solar hot water heaters, low-flow showerheads, Energy Star appliances and efficient lighting. Tenants who don't own cars will receive a monthly rent reduction of $40. For those who want to go car-free, this location is pretty sweet. It's right next to the West End and Old Port and surrounded by eateries, including Yosaku, Portland Pie and El Rayo Taqueria.

Here's a view of part of the crowd that filled much of Danforth Street. There are lots of notable people in this shot, and I'll just point out a few. In the dark suit is Hans Underdahl, president of the Portland Museum of Art Board of Trustees, and next to him in the tan suit is Mark Bessire, the museum's director. When the museum bought the old YWCA next to its campus it placed $900,000 in escrow to replace the housing formerly in the Y building. That money helped fund this project.

To Mark's right, also in a tan summer suit, is Dave Birkhahn of TD Banknorth, who helped make the project possible by facilitating the bank's purchase of the property's low-income housing tax credits. In front of Mark, is the Portland Press Herald's summer intern Tim Devaney, who will have a story about the new building in tomorrow's paper, accompanied by photos from staff photographer John Ewing, in the green shirt. Be sure to check it out.

As you can see, there were TV crews at the event as well. The lady in the black pants and lime green top is Patty McDougal, who has already rented an apartment in the building. According to Nathan Szanton, others who have leased apartments include a waitress, a Shaw's clerk and an LL Bean manager.

This is a typical kitchen layout in the building's one and two bedroom units. In the units I toured, prices ranged from $771 for an affordable one-bedroom (renters must meet income guidelines) to $1,395 for a market rate one-bedroom.

Without a doubt, the best apartment in the building is this one-bedroom which comes with a giant rooftop deck with views of the harbor and the West End. It rents for $1,550. Should you want to check out these new digs before they're all rented, call Karen Walker at Dirigo Management Company at 871-1080.