We describe the syntheses, the 1H NMR studies in CD3OD and D2O as solvent, the X-ray characterization, and the luminescence properties in D2O solution of the two complexes Eu·1 and Er·1, where 1 is a dipartite ligand that includes (i) a 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7-triacetic acid (DO3A) unit serving as hosting site for the metal center; and (ii) a phenanthroline unit which plays the role of light antenna for the sensitization process of the metal centered luminescence. In a previous report (Inorg. Chem. 2002, 41, 2777), we have shown that for Eu·1 there are no water molecules within the first coordination sphere. X-ray and 1H NMR results reported here are consistent with full saturation of the nine coordination sites within the Eu·1 and Er·1 complexes. In addition, these studies provide important details regarding the conformations, square antiprism (SAP) and twisted square antiprism (TSAP), adopted in solution by these complexes. The luminescence results are consistent with both an effective intersystem crossing (ISC) at the light absorbing phenanthroline unit (λexc = 278 nm) and an effective energy transfer (en) process from the phenanthroline donor to the cation acceptor (with unit or close to unit efficiency for both steps). In D2O solvent, the overall sensitization efficiency, φse, is 0.3 and 5 × 10-6, for Eu·1 (main luminescence peaks at 585, 612, 699 nm) and Er·1 (luminescence peak at 1530 nm), respectively. The photophysical properties of both complexes are discussed with reference to their structural features as elucidated by the obtained 1H NMR and X-ray results.