Hanover, MD Sept.14, 2006 Lofts 590, are named for their location at 590 15th Street South in the Crystal City area of Arlington, Virginia just minutes from the metropolitan district of Washington, DC. These stylish urban studio apartments feature radiant sheaths of Wicanders Cork Oak Flooring. Within the modern L-shaped 4-story building are 212 apartment units each designed with unique fixtures and finishes. Wicanders Cork Oak Floors play a versatile role, lending warmth, visual depth, and a dramatic reduction of sound transference.

Urban chic defines the contemporary interior design. Lofts 590 feature studio, 1 and 2 bedroom apartments with 9-18 foot ceilings, exposed HVAC for a warehouse conversion look, and private balconies on select apartments. An open floor plan invites natural light to stretch angular formations against the cool walls. Sleek granite countertops edge chef-caliber stainless steel fixtures in the kitchen. To warm the contemporary tone, each of the floors on the upper units are coated in rich chocolate shades of Wicanders Cork Oak Identity Collection.

Wicanders Cork Oak naturally provides a cushion of thermal warmth and helps create a serene silence within each unique unit. The designers of Lofts 590 have utilized Wicanders recently developed Acousticork® NRT, Series 1000 which uses revolutionary technology as well as a pillow of Cork Oak and natural rubber to dramatically reduce noise. In the Lofts, Wicanders Cork Oak has reduced vibration noise and the step sound effect by up to 10 decibels more than conventional floor coverings. In impact sound reduction, (the noise downstairs neighbors hear) the structural composition of naturally giving Cork Oak reduces sound up to 24 decibels.

In a cutting-edge environment, one can be easily overwhelmed by the use of sleek lines, sharp contrasts, and cool shades. Designers of Lofts 590 know that an organic element of warmth such as Wicanders Cork Oak complements the contemporary and integrates modern design. Natural Cork Oak Flooring seems to have the warmth of its Mediterranean roots locked into every cell. Visually glowing, Wicanders floors decrease thermal transfer by astonishing amounts. The feeling underfoot is a different experience from walking on conventional flooring. Unlike cold tiles, wood planks, or unhygienic carpets, Wicanders Cork Oak gently cradles each step in a giving cushion of comfort and warmth.

Designed by SK&I Architecture, Lofts 590 has won the American Institute of Architects in DC Award of Merit for Outstanding Achievement, and the Delta Associates' Most Innovative Mid- Atlantic Apartment Community in 2005. Bold designs, vibrant urban presence, and innovative use of materials such as Wicanders Cork Oak bring to life the edgy, charismatic qualities of modern apartment living.

About Wicanders Cork Oak Flooring

Wicanders Cork Oak flooring is a product of Amorim Revestimentos, a company based in Portugal. Amorim has been the environmentally conscious world leader in the Cork industry for over 130 years, and is the proud manufacturer of Wicanders Cork Oak flooring. Amorim's North American headquarters is located in Hanover, Maryland.

For more information about Wicanders Cork Oak flooring, please contact Paulo Nogueira, Managing Director of Amorim, N.A., at 410.553.6062 or visit Wicanders website at www.wicanders.com

Wicanders. Born of Nature, Fashioned for Living.