Wow, that's going to be some prime space once the Childrens Center relocates.
DeBaliviere wrote:Wow, that's going to be some prime space once the Childrens Center relocates.
We've attended DCC since 2000. I remember being in my 20's in the 1990's and going to all the clubs on Wash thinking, "Wow, that looks like a cool place for kids."
My youngest child rec'd a note in his cubbie about the move. It'll be great for the center. The plans will be unveiled tomorrow at our auction. There's supposed to be a pool and adjacent playground. I think DCC will be a vibrant addition to the west end of downtown. Nothing says "cool neighborhood" like cute kids. I'll miss the center being at 13th/Wash (my husband works in Shell Bldg), but overall I am very excited.
- 3
Does anyone have any new information on the Motor Lofts? It looks like there has been some work done but I haven't heard much.
I had a very interesting tour of the Motor Lofts this weekend by Kevin McGowan himself.
Sunday afternoon my fiancé and I went to two open houses at the 2020/Sporting News lofts. Liked them but nothing blew us away. We were going to grab a bite to eat but saw all the scooters parked in front of the McGowan/Walsh sales center so we stopped in. All the guys were eating Subway but this other guy stuck his head out of the office and said he would let the other guys eat and he would show us around. The guy introduced himself as Kevin McGowan. He explained who he was even though I had a good idea from this forum and other readings. We talked about what we were looking for and went across the street to Motor Lofts to check some display units out.
Both my fiancé and I were impressed with his energy as we talked and toured the units. While I’m still kind of uneasy about the location a lot of things impressed me about the quality of the Motor Lofts. What Kevin pointed out that seems to set them apart.
• Two all brand new elevators. Other buildings the same size may have single elevators or used elevators with new cabs. Motor Lofts’ are all brand new.
• Doors are heavy duty 1 ¾’ solid wood while others are thinner or not solid wood.
• Doorframes are heavy duty metal frame instead of wood. Adds to noise deadening. Plus ensures that screws attaching the door will stay in place and not shift.
• Door handles and locks are all heavy duty and built into the door instead of cheaper partially external mechanics.
• Washer and dryer are vented. Supposedly the non-vented ones suck and take 2 to 3 times longer.
• 50 gallon hot water heaters instead of 40.
• All piping and wiring is brand new. Some buildings skimp on the sprinkler systems and use the old ones.
• Exterior has been tuck pointed. Other buildings haven’t and that could be a problem for them down the road which translates into higher condo fees. That’s why Sporting News lofts is being tuck pointed now.
• 6 foot tubs instead of 5 foot.
• Higher shower heads. (Big deal for me: I’m 6’ 3”.
• Sink disposal motor is ¾ horsepower instead of ¼ or ½ hp.
• Improved sound insulation with thicker walls between units and all common items heavily caulked. This includes caulking all the wall socket boxes.
• Cabinets under the sink are metal instead of wood.
• Blinds are included
We went back outside and Kevin talked about the area.
• The first floor of the Packard Lofts will be a banquet/reception area that will be run by Mike Shannon’s.
• The sales center will be converted to a complex that all McGowan/Walsh residents can use. It will include:
o Workout/gym area.
o Full size/depth pool.
o Two theater rooms.
o Resident clubroom.
• A dog park 1 block east of where the sales center is now.
• A “national retailer” going into the tan one story building west of the motor lofts. He has no idea what it could be: they could be a grocery store, they could sell widgets.
• The renovation of the Tudor style stores. First floor retail, second floor apartments. (not condo)
Like I said I’m still not 100% sold on the area as it seems a bit out of the action, but the quality of construction looks to be a big positive. Can anyone in Motor Lofts or any other McGowan development give me some info?
Sunday afternoon my fiancé and I went to two open houses at the 2020/Sporting News lofts. Liked them but nothing blew us away. We were going to grab a bite to eat but saw all the scooters parked in front of the McGowan/Walsh sales center so we stopped in. All the guys were eating Subway but this other guy stuck his head out of the office and said he would let the other guys eat and he would show us around. The guy introduced himself as Kevin McGowan. He explained who he was even though I had a good idea from this forum and other readings. We talked about what we were looking for and went across the street to Motor Lofts to check some display units out.
Both my fiancé and I were impressed with his energy as we talked and toured the units. While I’m still kind of uneasy about the location a lot of things impressed me about the quality of the Motor Lofts. What Kevin pointed out that seems to set them apart.
• Two all brand new elevators. Other buildings the same size may have single elevators or used elevators with new cabs. Motor Lofts’ are all brand new.
• Doors are heavy duty 1 ¾’ solid wood while others are thinner or not solid wood.
• Doorframes are heavy duty metal frame instead of wood. Adds to noise deadening. Plus ensures that screws attaching the door will stay in place and not shift.
• Door handles and locks are all heavy duty and built into the door instead of cheaper partially external mechanics.
• Washer and dryer are vented. Supposedly the non-vented ones suck and take 2 to 3 times longer.
• 50 gallon hot water heaters instead of 40.
• All piping and wiring is brand new. Some buildings skimp on the sprinkler systems and use the old ones.
• Exterior has been tuck pointed. Other buildings haven’t and that could be a problem for them down the road which translates into higher condo fees. That’s why Sporting News lofts is being tuck pointed now.
• 6 foot tubs instead of 5 foot.
• Higher shower heads. (Big deal for me: I’m 6’ 3”.
• Sink disposal motor is ¾ horsepower instead of ¼ or ½ hp.
• Improved sound insulation with thicker walls between units and all common items heavily caulked. This includes caulking all the wall socket boxes.
• Cabinets under the sink are metal instead of wood.
• Blinds are included
We went back outside and Kevin talked about the area.
• The first floor of the Packard Lofts will be a banquet/reception area that will be run by Mike Shannon’s.
• The sales center will be converted to a complex that all McGowan/Walsh residents can use. It will include:
o Workout/gym area.
o Full size/depth pool.
o Two theater rooms.
o Resident clubroom.
• A dog park 1 block east of where the sales center is now.
• A “national retailer” going into the tan one story building west of the motor lofts. He has no idea what it could be: they could be a grocery store, they could sell widgets.
• The renovation of the Tudor style stores. First floor retail, second floor apartments. (not condo)
Like I said I’m still not 100% sold on the area as it seems a bit out of the action, but the quality of construction looks to be a big positive. Can anyone in Motor Lofts or any other McGowan development give me some info?
dweebe, thanks for the thorough update! Could you explain what you mean about the converted sales complex? Do you mean that someone from any McGowan Walsh property could use it? Or for certain nearby properties? Also, will the pool inside or outside?
- 29
I am purchasing a unit in the Ballpark Lofts which is a McGowan Walsh development and each owner has free access to the future health club on Washington Ave. where their current sales center is located.
That is atleast what they told me when I asked them about the amenities at the Ballpark Lofts.
That is atleast what they told me when I asked them about the amenities at the Ballpark Lofts.
Jambo wrote:Pool's outside:
Right now I believe it is a parking lot. The sales center will be converted to fitness center ++. There will be rooms available for parties, conferences, etc. I don't know what their plan is for charging that service.
The pool will be where the parking lot is. They hope to start the conversion this fall or next spring depending on sales at Packard and Motor.
Usage will be billed back to your condo and must be paid with the other fees.
expat wrote:dweebe, thanks for the thorough update! Could you explain what you mean about the converted sales complex? Do you mean that someone from any McGowan Walsh property could use it? Or for certain nearby properties?
He said anyone from any McGowan property. Kevin included the Ballpark Lofts in the example he gave.
- 7
This week I noticed balconies added to the s/e corner units. I am very surprised that historic let them get away with that; although I think it's great for those unit's owners. Does anyone know if more balconies will be added?
Also, to Dweebe, I live on the corner of Locust and Jefferson and love the area. Very easy hwy access and not as many homeless people around as there are farther east.
Also, to Dweebe, I live on the corner of Locust and Jefferson and love the area. Very easy hwy access and not as many homeless people around as there are farther east.
parkpacificstl wrote:This week I noticed balconies added to the s/e corner units. I am very surprised that historic let them get away with that; although I think it's great for those unit's owners. Does anyone know if more balconies will be added?
Also, to Dweebe, I live on the corner of Locust and Jefferson and love the area. Very easy hwy access and not as many homeless people around as there are farther east.
There's no historic tax abatement so I guess that's why they could put them up.
- 1,044
Anyone know what's the status of the clubhouse? I thought they would have started work on it by now.
southcitygent wrote:Anyone know what's the status of the clubhouse? I thought they would have started work on it by now.
I assume the McGowan/Walsh split put a big damper on the construction.
- 5
Completion should be in the Fall of 08.
The split didn't hurt construction at all!!! They are completed!
The split didn't hurt construction at all!!! They are completed!
**CityGirl** wrote:When I was toring they said completion should be in the Fall of 08.
The split didn't hurt construction at all!!! They are completed!
Sorry I wasn't clear: I was talking about the MW Clubhouse. I know the Motor Lofts are complete: I meant the pool, gym, clubhouse etc.
dweebe wrote:**CityGirl** wrote:When I was toring they said completion should be in the Fall of 08.
The split didn't hurt construction at all!!! They are completed!
Sorry I wasn't clear: I was talking about the MW Clubhouse. I know the Motor Lofts are complete: I meant the pool, gym, clubhouse etc.
Regarding the MW Clubhouse:
I wouldn't hold my breath on that. I was told it would be completed March 07. Then after that, nothing was done with the site at all, told it would be completed by Spring 08, and just recently have I seen any actual work being done at all. I'll believe it when I see it.