urbanSTL

Scrutinizer...... What are you scrutinizing in your underwear?

Hi, hasn't been much on this for a while, so just wanted to see if anyone had any thoughts or news. We have a unit here and supposedly can close in another month or so. Our unit is basically all done and looks really nice, so we are very excited!



In the past, what is the typical percent of available units as the building is ready for possession? I think this is happening all over downtown, but I think only 50% or around there are sold...so it just worries me a little bit. Or maybe this is somewhat normal and sales pick up once the building is available. In my opinion, the Bogen is just such a great location currently for people who want to be in the heart of the part of washington that has really been developed already.



Another question I have for any other Bogen owners-- were you told you had to have a certain type of blinds in the window so they are all the same? We didn't order it through them, but looked like we could get them cheaper on our own. I'm just wondering if anyone has found a cheap place to get them already or what your plans were.

We have a unit in this building and will close in August too. We r

soooooooooo excited!



50% at completion is typical based on other threads I have read. In the past you could expect to wait a year or more for full occupancy. Hopefully that will change in downtown soon.



As far as the blinds are concerned, they want everyone to have vertical blinds (I think) so there is uniformity.



Can hardly wait to move in!

Vertical blinds? Yuck. I would hope that the HOA board reverses that rule!



Anyway - Congrats! The Bogen is a beautiful building and I can't wait to see the finished product!

aimster wrote:Vertical blinds? Yuck. I would hope that the HOA board reverses that rule!

I was one of the early HOA Board members at the Meridian and our developers were interested in establishing a rule that all window coverings must be a dark (black?) color. Initially, developers controlled three spots on the board with residents controlling the final two. However, they were nice in giving us, the residents, leeway to make the decision which exists as the quoted rule below.



Basically, it allows residents the freedom to choose their own window coverings, but provides discretion to the board should a resident utilize a garish one. We haven't had a problem with this yet as we complete our first year of occupancy.



"Unit Owners or authorized occupants may install window coverings; however, coverings must be tasteful in appearance and appropriate to the overall look of the building, incorporating soft color tones. Garish looking coverings out of character with the balance of the units in the Building are prohibited."

I think vertical blinds look cool, when they aren't the only kind of window cover. I like to see diversity in the windows, when there's diversity, the vertical blinds look cool.

lets try this again........there we go













for my neighbors in another city/state

Hey there-- just wondering if people have done their final walkthroughs yet and what your thoughts were. We thought overall it went well and just had a lot of small touch-ups and issues, but nothing horrible that was wrong. We were a little disappointed in the look of the concrete floors...seem to be a lot of marks on them and the wood floors in the model units just look so much nicer in my opinion. We close next week, so seems pretty crazy that it is all done and we'll be living there! Unfortunately doesn't seem to be many people that post on here that will be living in the building. I'm still curious as to what the street level commercial space will end up being too. Anyways, if there are any other residents out there, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on your unit!

Hey there-- just wondering if people have done their final walkthroughs yet and what your thoughts were. We thought overall it went well and just had a lot of small touch-ups and issues, but nothing horrible that was wrong. We were a little disappointed in the look of the concrete floors...seem to be a lot of marks on them and the wood floors in the model units just look so much nicer in my opinion. We close next week, so seems pretty crazy that it is all done and we'll be living there! Unfortunately doesn't seem to be many people that post on here that will be living in the building. I'm still curious as to what the street level commercial space will end up being too. Anyways, if there are any other residents out there, I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on your unit!

1st walkthrough the other day and all went as expected...place in need of a good cleaning ....the entire place was a little dusty. All other issues minor or easily fixable. Talked w/ Jacob Management and I was told there are about 6 different interests in the street level space.

For those who have been watching this project closely, Jacob is looking at expanding the community deck to the SouthEast corner for added common space. Not sure what else would go with that.



What would you all say is the benefit of a splash pool to this building? Have these tiny "pools" been recieved well downtown? or would you say the added HOA fees make them not worth it? I've been through most projects, and I just think they are a waste of space. It seems a misting shower would gain the same effect, without the huge insurance and construction costs.

I agree that I don't know that the pool is really all that worth it. We had a pool at our old condo complex and you only get to use it a few months of the year and even so, we'd only make it out there maybe every other weekend. I do think a misting shower would be cool and not as costly or take up as much space. I'd like to have a place to go layout in the summer, but don't just want to bake out in the hot sun without any way to cool off!



I thought originally when we had bought at the bogen there was talk of putting a hot tub up there even, but I guess that fell through.



I just really hope that more is done with the rooftop, whatever it is, since none of the penthouses are going to be using the space.

Are many people moving in? How well sold is it? We could use new residents in this and the other lofts around this area to help bolster the neighborhood.

fireman wrote:For those who have been watching this project closely, Jacob is looking at expanding the community deck to the SouthEast corner for added common space. Not sure what else would go with that.



What would you all say is the benefit of a splash pool to this building? Have these tiny "pools" been recieved well downtown? or would you say the added HOA fees make them not worth it? I've been through most projects, and I just think they are a waste of space. It seems a misting shower would gain the same effect, without the huge insurance and construction costs.

I would think there are enough units in the Bogen to support a splash pool. If they put in something like they have in the Paul Brown building, I'd think it would go over very well.



I think the reason most pools are only open for a few months is that they are regular pools that require a guard on duty and are therefore only open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. A splash pool doesn't require a guard which is why they're so popular. I would love to have one in my building!

We've moved in the building, but I think only 1 or 2 other units have people living in them...so it's definitely very empty feeling! I'm not sure how much is sold, but looking at their website it appears there are a lot of empty units, but hopefully that will pick up now that the building is near completion. Almost every day I've been entering or leaving the building, someone has been their touring the building...so interest seems to be there. Hopefully the loft tour will help sell some units too



I think they had said before that a pool can't even be an option for the bogen because of something with the structure...so I don't even think it's a possibility.



We have been sooooooo impressed with Jacob and just can't imagine this whole process could have gone any better. They really want to make sure you are happy with your unit and will do whatever it takes to make sure you are 110% satisfied throughout the whole process. I can't say enough good stuff about them, so I hope their projects do well and other people have as positive experiences about them as we did.

Doesnt seem as if there is any reason to worry. It appears they are just around 50% sold/reserved according to their website. It takes time for the bldg to fill up after closings start. For primary residences they may have to sell their current home, for others that do not have to sell, it may take a few weeks to set up a move. For investment it takes time to market it and find a renter after closing.



Closings started in the Ely at the beg of June which is over 60% sold and it just now seems as if it started to fill up. When I moved in in late July it seemed fairly vacant.

I think they are 38% sold. Not so much 50%.

We like this one.



1 bedroom, but lots of light.

I really dig the windows on this floor and would love to have that unit. Thanks for the video and the ones from Dorsa!

One of my favorite projects, I really hope more people take an interest in this building. Thanks for the vids btw.

I agree. The Bogen's always been one of my favorite buildings. I'm so glad to see it finished!



I liked the 1 bedroom, but the kitchen in the 2 bedroom display is poorly designed. You have to walk across the kitchen to go from the sink to the stove - where's the triangle, man?

aimster wrote:You have to walk across the kitchen to go from the sink to the stove - where's the triangle, man?

Triangle man is here, live from the Pageant and courtesy of They Might Be Giants: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTHSe4TaaJw

Can someone explain why there isnt any exterior lighting? Right now it is a big dark building and if illuminated could add so much more to Wash Ave.

Downtown2007 wrote:Can someone explain why there isnt any exterior lighting? Right now it is a big dark building and if illuminated could add so much more to Wash Ave.

Right on. The Meridian across the street looks great with the lighting.



However, I think the blue paint on the Meridian makes it look cheesy... now if they painted the rest of the window frame blues, it would have looked awesome. But now it is a half as% job.



Bogen.. I dont think I am a fan of their paint job either. You see brand new shiny (WAY TO SHINY) paint mixed in with the old subtle colors. It looks as though the building is "sweating."



But yes.. lights would make that building great!

Downtown2007 wrote:Can someone explain why there isnt any exterior lighting? Right now it is a big dark building and if illuminated could add so much more to Wash Ave.

Are lights in the plans? They're definitely needed.

Hi, I'm not sure of the exterior lighting, but do agree it would make it look much nicer. They were scrambling last week to get the lobbies and community areas finished before the tour, so it could be that they just haven't got around to the outside lights yet.



I'm REALLY hoping the loft tour will help sell some units here. Of course I'm biased cause I live here, but really thought it was one of the better buildings on the tour if you want a loft to move into now. It was nice to find out that they are adding a hot tub and the new additional patio area will have misters. I'm pleased with that!