urbanSTL

The Central Scrutinizer wrote:They've been pounding away with a jackhammer the past few days. Looks like they are removing the old entrance?

From the renderings, it looks like the part of the facade they're working on will be all glass. I can't wait to see how it turns out!

Walked by the Dorsa this afternoon. Looks like they're pretty much done reshaping the entrance of 1007. I'm sure once they get the glass in it will look awesome.



Also, on the back of 1013 (15?), it looks like they've cut into the brick under one of the windows (out of the set of 3) in order to create the doors for the balconies. This is of particular interest to me because that includes my unit



Also, I know JimJim in convinced the contracts are coming out. Certainly signs seem to point to this; I got a reply from on Wed. saying they were having a meeting on the Dorsa tomorrow (yesterday). What exactly was determined at this meeting, I don't know. I hope that we do get them next week so we can get the ball rolling.

The meeting was with the development staff to "shove off contracts."

If that is the case...they didn't happen to say when we would get them? Or has anyone gotten theirs already?

JimJim15 wrote:The meeting was with the development staff to "shove off contracts."

What does that term mean?

bsharmastl wrote:

JimJim15 wrote:The meeting was with the development staff to "shove off contracts."

What does that term mean?

What do they mean by "contracting?" Actual mortgage payment from bank to developer? When are people tentatively scheduled to begin moving in? Bring on more people to downtown!

What does the term "<b>shove off</b> contracts" mean.

Man.... You are innovative

bsharmastl wrote:What does the term "<b>shove off</b> contracts" mean.

Man.... You are innovative

Heh, whatever it is they're delaying it I guess. I signed a contract when I reserved. Then I signed a mortgage contract when I closed... So yeah, they're not too specific.

Oh... so they meant the dates. OK. That makes sense.

Finally...the wait is over, this milestone is reached...



CONTRACTS!!!



I got mine last night, though unfortunately, I didn't have the time to give it a thorough perusing.



I'm just happy it's here.

^

Does this mean you'll be moving in soon, or is that still a ways off?

DeBaliviere wrote:^

Does this mean you'll be moving in soon, or is that still a ways off?

Nope. It's a ways off. Here's how it works in Dorsa:



When you decide you want a place (for many of us it was over a year ago), you sign a reservation and pay $2500. This reserves the unit you want until it's time to go to contract.



Now, we're at the "going to contract" stage. This is where we pay another $2500 and sign the actual contract that makes us responsible for buying the loft(s) when they're done. After we go to contract, we select upgrades which are added to the contract.



At that point, we will have paid $5000 (which goes toward the cost of the loft) plus a certain percentage of the upgrades we've selected. We'll then wait until June-July for the first of the units to be completed, at which point we'll start closing on the lofts (which is when we actually pay and move in).



So at this point, those of us who've paid to reserve a loft will be legally contracting to buy the loft at some point in the future. Up until the time we go to contract, we're allowed to back out and get the initial $2500 reservation fee refunded. After we go to contract, the $2500 reservation fee and the $2500 contracting fee are non-refundible.



So basically, it's just another stage in the process that is primarily designed to weed out speculators (who've become a little jumpy about the process) and those who aren't series enough to possibly lose $5000 if they decide they don't want the loft in the future. It's a good thing to do before you start allowing people to choose upgrades ... if you let people pick upgrades before they were bound by non-refundable money, you'd risk personalizing lofts for people who may not take them in the end.

My wife and I are in 308. So I guess for the third floor selections would be late Feb/early March, by that reckoning.

Does anybody know what the street crews are doing in front of the Dorsa? Half of the street is now under construction and there is massive piece of something sitting on the side of the street. I was wondering if they've encountered some structural issues underground or if there was simply a water main break from the cold. If anybody can shed some light on this, that'd be great.

New progess pictures up at the Dorsa website.



http://www.dorsalofts.com/progress.php



These are November, December, and January pictures ... looking at some of the first ones, it looks like not so much has been done, but looking at the later ones, the elevator shaft is looking good, some walls are being framed, and electric, gas, and plumbing lines are looking good.



Also, I think another unit has gone to contract.



And to answer the question in the post above, the pictures show the facade refinishing about to start ... so that's probably why the street is partially blocked. There's a lot of work to be done of the front of Dorsa, but man it's going to look good.

The Dorsa has such a beautiful, unique facade and the area is fantastic. Looking forward to seeing it completed and people moved in... Does anyone know the tentative schedule for completion of the first units? 6, 9, 12 months?

Dorsa is scheduled for 2nd floor closings in June-July, with 3rd floor to be July-August, and subsequent floors to follow every 2-4 weeks.

The Central Scrutinizer wrote:

JimJim15 wrote:Dorsa is scheduled for 2nd floor closings in June-July, with 3rd floor to be July-August, and subsequent floors to follow every 2-4 weeks.

Which probably means:



2nd floor closings in Oct-Nov, with 3rd floor to be Dec-Jan08, and subsequent floors to follow every 6-8 weeks.

I contest that. As far as finishing and closing schedules are concerned, Pyramid has a pretty good track record after contracts are out. Banker's closings were a month behind only because of certain material difficulties (the elevators, if I remember correctly), and the aforementioned 2-4 weeks per floor was about right on.

StLRisen wrote:

The Central Scrutinizer wrote:

JimJim15 wrote:Dorsa is scheduled for 2nd floor closings in June-July, with 3rd floor to be July-August, and subsequent floors to follow every 2-4 weeks.

Which probably means:



2nd floor closings in Oct-Nov, with 3rd floor to be Dec-Jan08, and subsequent floors to follow every 6-8 weeks.

I contest that. As far as finishing and closing schedules are concerned, Pyramid has a pretty good track record after contracts are out. Banker's closings were a month behind only because of certain material difficulties (the elevators, if I remember correctly), and the aforementioned 2-4 weeks per floor was about right on.

I agree. Pyramid has WAY too many big projects after Dorsa to drag this one out ... Arcade-Wright, and City Center being two of the biggest. They don't want to dilly dally.



And yeah, they were spot on with Bankers. Plus, in talking to them, they say things like, "I can't guarantee anything, but we've been doing this a long time, and from my experience, things are right on track." Hearing that from someone you trust makes you feel at ease.



Not that something couldn't come up, but right now we're doing well.

I look forward to this building being done. It will really help finish off that stretch of Wash. Ave. That little block is quickly becoming a very active spot. And finally being able to park cars on the streets down there really helps in my opnion. I originally had unit 304 under reserve but backed out. Would love to get in there once completed to see how it turns out!

we hear what's going in the frist floor yet?

irocktheparty2000 wrote:I look forward to this building being done. It will really help finish off that stretch of Wash. Ave. That little block is quickly becoming a very active spot. And finally being able to park cars on the streets down there really helps in my opnion. I originally had unit 304 under reserve but backed out. Would love to get in there once completed to see how it turns out!

Gosh. How long ago did you have 304 reserved? We've had it for 15 or 16 months now, and I don't remember it being reserved before that (at least, while I was paying attention). But then, I'm sure the Dorsa project had legs before my wife and I found it.



As far as the first floor, they're being very quiet about it. I wouldn't be surprised if they wanted to keep it secret so that whoever it is can make a big announcement about it or something. But they're sure working on it pretty hard. Originally, I heard it might be something like a Whole Foods or some such store, but now I hear a Trader Joe's is going in down the street, so I doubt we're getting the grocery. I've also heard it might be a Pin-Up Bowl, which might be kinda fun.