urbanSTL

bsharmastl wrote:I WISH....... though the last time I started talking about benefits of Organic foods, the conversation ended 10 pages later

The only benefit I know of is to the farmer, who can get $3.00 instead of $1.00 for a head of lettuce.

Downtown2007 wrote:It may be a national retailer since the space is so big (Borders). Hopefully its not another furnature store.

The tenant will only be leasing half the space (17,000 sq ft).

Yes I realize that but its still a large space.

Yeah even at half of the space that is a big space. I doubt it is Borders tho. My friend in Chicago works in location scouting for big companies, and he said that usually big chains have to set up in an established area with other established stores, which unfortunately usually means they go in and wipe out the small businesses that have set up. Borders would be an awesome addition to downtown however. I guess we can hope! Whoever it is will be taking quite a chance on such a big space in downtown-hopefully if it is a furniture store or home store it will be something a little different to all the same ol same ol we already have downtown (ie contemporary loft furniture) I heard that Good Works is considering coming downtown....do you think that it's them? Or are they that big?

Hey all,



Took a tour of Ely Walker a few weekends ago, and got some good pictures of the inside atrium. Christen took us on a fabulous walkthrough (unit 316..although it's being used as the construction elevator!!), and it was great to see the inside of the building. Things are coming along nicely, and I thought everyone would like to see how things are progressing.

mattsebek wrote:Hey all,



Took a tour of Ely Walker a few weekends ago, and got some good pictures of the inside atrium. Christen took us on a fabulous walkthrough (unit 316..although it's being used as the construction elevator!!), and it was great to see the inside of the building. Things are coming along nicely, and I thought everyone would like to see how things are progressing.

That's kind of a trip to see the inside. Not sure what I think. On one hand, love the huge skylight and all the steel beams in the atrium. Yet on the other hand kind of reminds me of a hotel and not a loft development. Kind of Embassy Suites-esque. It definitely stands out.

irocktheparty2000 wrote:

mattsebek wrote:Hey all,



Took a tour of Ely Walker a few weekends ago, and got some good pictures of the inside atrium. Christen took us on a fabulous walkthrough (unit 316..although it's being used as the construction elevator!!), and it was great to see the inside of the building. Things are coming along nicely, and I thought everyone would like to see how things are progressing.

That's kind of a trip to see the inside. Not sure what I think. On one hand, love the huge skylight and all the steel beams in the atrium. Yet on the other hand kind of reminds me of a hotel and not a loft development. Kind of Embassy Suites-esque. It definitely stands out.

All of the reasons you mentioned are the exact reasons why I like it so much. It's style is unlike anything else on Washington.



The "Embassy-Suites" feel that you mentioned is not the case. The distance between the North and South ends isn't that large, so it doesn't maintain a corporate "hotel feel". It actually felt quite cozy, and the amount of ambient light is impressive - and that's without any detailing at this point (paint, decor, fountains on 2, etc.)



It's pretty stunning when you see it in person.

Thanks for the pix.



The building is really coming along. I was very familiar with it before Orchard bought it and the transformation has been amazing!

Those pics were amazing. I think the only thing about this is that I am pi**ed I did not get in early enough to buy at pre-construction. Could have saved about 10K.

Does anyone think that the price for these is a "little" high right now, seeing that the market is a bit cold, or is it just my imagniation?

^ if you don't look back at what you "could have" bought for, I think the prices are very, very competitive. Don't forget, the market is cool everywhere, not just DT. I've heard from several sources that although sales are slow this time of year, prices are holding up nicely and I think that as DT continues its renaissance there's still tremendous upside potential.

bsharmastl wrote:Those pics were amazing. I think the only thing about this is that I am pi**ed I did not get in early enough to buy at pre-construction. Could have saved about 10K.

Does anyone think that the price for these is a "little" high right now, seeing that the market is a bit cold, or is it just my imagniation?

I thought you were a buyer at the Ventana?

Yeah, you stated you didnt like the windows in the Ely. Which one is it? Ventana or Ely?

You are correct. I ended up buying in the Ventana, and was "also" looking at the Ely for investment. I decided against it at that time, since the windows IMO were not too big and I thought this building might move too slow. (I bought land in Montgomery county instead).



Now, my parents are also interested in having a place DT, and that's where the "I wish" part comes in The land investment was also good, but I have paid taxes, etc. for last year and my return may not be up by 10K from that. Oh well....

That atrium area would be fantastic with Christmas decorations!



The decorations could interwave between the beams and the pillars could bcecome huge candycanes with a curved addition.

The atrium reminds me of that of the Merchandise Loft Apartments Building (where Kitchen K and Lee J is located).



Looking nice.

Did my weekly drive by today, workers were working on the south windows, and the balconies... The building is really great, can't wait to live there.... Do we have any pictures of the proposed alley way? Also, Christin it would be really cool if you had any pictures of the construction inside so we could see some of the progress!!!!



PS: Still waiting to hear the retail announcement!!!!





Merry Christmas and Happy holidays!

Anyone else notice the signage on the ground floor windows - "the shoppes at Ely Walker"?

Yeah it sounds silly and as if they are isolated.

I guess "shoppes" is the Medieval spelling, and certainly when I think of the Middle Ages, I think of hot fashions, great bargains, and friendly customer service. (Though as a Jew in such "shoppes," I would have always risked some irate salesman running his sword through me if he felt I'd looked at him funny.)

christin beck wrote:Hello, Thank you. We are very excited about the buildings sucess as well!

I should be able to give you a final answer within a couple of weeks. We are very excited about our 1st retail commitment and will keep you posted.

Thank you

A couple of weeks has now been almost six. Are things still progressing with your retail tenant or did the deal fall apart?

Yeah. Now that the Ventana is about to start getting people in it, what plans for this? Would love to see something at these storefronts sooner than later. It offers MUCH more retail space than most buildings around it.

loftlover wrote:Anyone else notice the signage on the ground floor windows - "the shoppes at Ely Walker"?

Shoppe (pronounced the same as shop) is just a fancy word for shop (the noun). Shoppe is often used in business names and on signs. My former dentist was at The Smile Shoppe.



Here's a couple pictures that I took today. The place looks promising. This is the front facing Washington Ave.:







This is the side facing west:

So, since we have not heard anything official on the retail here I looked into my crystal ball today and this is what appeared before me.



I saw a store one might frequent after purchasing their new home/condo/loft...large space (as we already know)...with a twist. Something that will make you go hmmm, in the loft district?



I actually think it could be kind of cool.