urbanSTL

Mind leaking what some common upgrades cost such as hardwood(if it isn't standard in this building I can't remember), building out a second bathroom, granite counters, floor staining?

The upgrades are actually fairly simple, which is good for an indecisive person like me.



The only big things are different kinds of marble, backsplash tiling in kitchen/bathroom, sink and faucet upgrades, lighting upgrades, jacuzzi tub, ceiling fans, washer/dryer, appliance upgrades, and paint. You also have the option for what color cabinets you want.



Surprisingly there was no hardwood floor or fireplace option. There will be hardwood flooring in all common areas but polished concrete in each unit. I gladly welcome concrete flooring after dealing with the hardwood flooring in my condo. What a headache having to walk on eggshells with that stuff.



Reasonable prices from what I've seen. The bronze sink in the kitchen/bathroom with fixtures runs about $3,400. Very nice but not my style.

I glance at their website from time to time (the site really is aweful) and have noticed that sales are slow but consistent. This is promising considering their big, across the board price increase back in October. Prices are high (but the building is tax exempt, so that's worth something), so I'm not surprised they're not gouging you on the upgrades. With that building done, progress at Bogen and the Meridian, and work starting on the Days Inn, the whole area around the Tucker/Washington intersection is going to be amazing!

I turned onto Wash Ave from 14th street and it was an awesome transformation into that high dense world from 14th st (which I love downtown STL, all parts of it). It's like a different city in its own respect on Wash Ave....can't wait to move down there.



The sales have been slow with the higher priced units. Some of them are very large (up to 2,900 sq ft). I think the development of other high rises with prices in that range, yet offering better ameneties (such as valet, concierge, etc) have hurt the sales for the higher priced lofts.

St.Louis UAB alumni wrote:It is my understanding that the exterior of the building won't receive much work.



The work done will consist of the street level retail, powerwashing (maybe on the front), and replacing the windows.



To say I'm disappointed is an understatement.

Where did you get your info? I know someone who purchased there and she is under the impression that the exterior will receive a lot more attention than just a power wash. Thanks.

I got my info from their sales staff. She is under the impression that there won't be a lot of work done to it. That info may not be 100% but she seemed pretty sure of it.

phobia wrote:Flamingo Bowl "Opening Summer 2006" sign has been posted out front. I'm looking forward to it; hopefully those 22' ceilings will prevent the atmosphere from becoming smoke-filled.



(The Chastan Properties website is so amateur I thought it had to be a parody.)

Ding ding ding. Know why Joe likes developing bowling alley bars? When the inevitable smoking ban comes, bowling alleys will be one of the few exclusions... smart man, Mr. Edwards.

Kind of a random question, but what's tuckpointing?

It's when you replace the grout between bricks.

Jan 16 construction update with pictures. If they are doing one thing right it's that they are kicking butt with construction.



http://www.chastanpropertiesllc.com/ind ... ge0028.htm

I am profoundly smitten with Mr. Patrick Stanley and he is the one to watch on the downtown St. Louis Loft scene. =D>

Drywall's been going in back, and the new windows are looking spiffy on the upper floors in front.

Windows are being cut out on the West side of the building starting on the top floor.



June 20 is the 1st closing. Closings go through July 7

Are the websites of these loft buildings up to date for the most part? I just checked out the Lucas Loft site (which is tough on the eyes) and there appear to be a number of units left, but I wondered if anyone closer to the building knew if this was the case and how sales have been moving. Sounds like move-ins are right around the corner. I appreciate your help as I am forced to do most of my "shopping" from out of town and that makes it hard to keep up.

Took a tour of the building today and I must say I am impressed. They are really kicking butt in there....workers were EVERYWHERE.



Installation of the first elevator was happening today. Paint in the common area of the 7th floor was being done. It was a deep red/maroon (I'm somewhat colorblind) but it looks VERY nice with the exposed brick and will look great with the hardwood floors.



The windows in the units are HUGE. Some of the units are HUGE themselves. You can play halfcourt basketball in some of them.



I've heard rumors of a boutique of sorts on street level. Heard it about a week ago from a lady that knows someone involved with the project. This is going with the bowling alley and cigar/martini bar.



Glad to see this project is still full-steam ahead and that they are on schedule, unlike other projects surrounding this one.

I would imagine he was referring to the new windows that we have physically cut openings for. These will be huge! But, when it comes to existing windows, we are forced, because of historic compliances, to replicate something that was there before (or at the very least, come very close). So, those can be the smaller ones. But, I'll double check the size of new windows once I'm back in the office, and I'll report back what the size will be. From the openings I saw that were cut a couple weeks ago, they will be much bigger than 4x8.

I'm referring to the new windows that are being installed on the East and West sides of the building. They are having to cut through a VERY thick wall too. From what I saw it looked like the walls were at least 4 bricks thicks...possibly a few more. I imagine that is one hell of a task to do.

St.Louis UAB alumni wrote:I'm referring to the new windows that are being installed on the East and West sides of the building. They are having to cut through a VERY thick wall too. From what I saw it looked like the walls were at least 4 bricks thicks...possibly a few more. I imagine that is one hell of a task to do.

You should have seen how thick the east walls were at Printer's. I kid you not, they were at least 9 layers of brick thick. And the windows they put in were like 13 feet wide by 8 feet tall and some had balcony doors to boot. That was a job to say the least, and it did take a considerable amount of time but turned out great. I don't think they had any idea the wall was that thick in the initial stages. They had to put these big black steel beams above the windows for support which looked awesome, very industrial, and those units got window sills big enough to sit in where all the other units just had regular sized, like 4 inch sills.

A new photo gallery is up. These look like they are from the beginning of March.



http://www.chastanpropertiesllc.com/ind ... ge0034.htm

Looking at the update photo of one of the units with the rounded windows, it looks like they just put standard rectangular windows behind the rounded opening instead of installing custom rounded-top windows. Weird.

I kind of like it.