urbanSTL

I've been in the building for 6 weeks now and would echo the same sentiments as other residents. Overall, I'm pleased but there is a lot left to do with respect to the common areas. I was actually looking at the frosted glass in the lobby earlier today and wondering why The Meridian name and symbol isn't centered??? It looks odd - IMO.



I actually inquired with the sales office a while back and followed up today regarding the directory/paging device. Still no firm information to report as to when that will be updated. Hip wasn't able to offer any info about the screeching sound either, which is quite annoying to say the least!



As for the w/d combo - it's a different experience no doubt. The clothes seems to get exceptionally hot even when they aren't fully dry but it's really just something that takes getting used to. You can't use too much detergent or overload it and you've got figure out the right drying setting or else you will find your clothes very wrinkled. However, my clothes have never smelt from this process. I've found that using a drying rack after the clothes are almost dry works best for me as then I don't have to worry with pulling scorching hot clothes from the dryer or deal with overly wrinkled clothes. But, I know that dealing with a drying rack isn't optimal for some.

cbroy2544 wrote:I actually inquired with the sales office a while back and followed up today regarding the directory/paging device. Still no firm information to report as to when that will be updated. Hip wasn't able to offer any info about the screeching sound either, which is quite annoying to say the least!

Where is the company that installed this? How come they weren't back out there 1 hour after leaving to fix it?

^

Great point. This is not a 'new' issue. It's been this way for months !!! I think that items such as this should be brought to the attention of the sales office/developers by each person impacted. That would obviously include both current and future residents. If we don't individually and collectively address these issues or assume that they are already on their 'radar', then I'm not sure we'll see any resolution prior to the building being handed over to the HOA.

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Re: the HOA...I'm not versed in contracts, but I recall that as units are turned over to unit owners, a certain number of board members, and no less than 1 person, shall be a unit owner. Jus something to think about I guess. Perhaps others, who are more familiar, can shed more light on how that works???

I just talked with Hip and Rob, one of the partners, on the way in from some errands. Hip said Bob & his wife from "Meridian Real Estate Services" were working on updating the access control directory. I also told her about the shrill noise coming from said device. She seemed to be unaware of it but I'd think that's something the developers would probably take care of. Let's pass on feedback to the necessary folks.



Also asked Rob about the plans for the common areas and he stated they should be complete within approximately 2 months. He also said they hired Mei, who designed the display unit, to design the lobby as well. I've seen her work and it's quite commendable. As an FYI, I've hired Mei to help design my place because....well....i'm a guy and who doesn't necessarily have a flair for such a thing I want it to look good and reflect my personality. She's got some good ideas for me to increase storage space which lofts tend not to have a lot of. If anyone's interested, here's her web address: http://wincondesignresource.com/



I'll be uploading pics of the smurfs in a bit...

Dave

If you don't have a flair for 'such a thing,' wouldn't you want your loft to reflect the 'real you' and be devoid of polished syle? I'll be interested in your experience - how much you feel the design is 'you' and how much you may feel it is Mei's quasi standard setup.

As an FYI, I've hired Mei to help design my place because....well....i'm a guy and who doesn't necessarily have a flair for such a thing I want it to look good and reflect my personality.

innov8ion wrote:I also told her about the shrill noise coming from said device. She seemed to be unaware of it but I'd think that's something the developers would probably take care of. Let's pass on feedback to the necessary folks.

No, that is something they will take care of. I'm going to put it on my list when I have my walkthru.



I know Jeff is aware if it.

I tend to disagree with the initial assertion. She and her team listened to my preferences and concerns well. They borrowed a couple of my pillows to capture the colors I felt were pleasing which helped them to create a color palette that I liked.



She showed me a few different concepts utilizing the floor layout. We talked about the pros and cons of each and were able to hone in on one that suited me. I explained to her what type of style I prefer and showed her examples of furniture I liked. When she showed different pieces of furniture, some I liked, some I didn't.



When looking for a designer, take a look at their portfolio.... "See" if they are good listeners. I'm comfortable with the iterative process that ensures little to no surprises at the end. To each their own...

Ihnen wrote:If you don't have a flair for 'such a thing,' wouldn't you want your loft to reflect the 'real you' and be devoid of polished syle? I'll be interested in your experience - how much you feel the design is 'you' and how much you may feel it is Mei's quasi standard setup.

As an FYI, I've hired Mei to help design my place because....well....i'm a guy and who doesn't necessarily have a flair for such a thing I want it to look good and reflect my personality.

Very cool. Could you post pics when everything is done? As you mentioned, each person will end up with a different product depending on their tastes, but it would be good to see a finished, designed product.

innov8ion wrote:He also said they hired Mei, who designed the display unit, to design the lobby as well. I've seen her work and it's quite commendable. As an FYI, I've hired Mei to help design my place because....well....i'm a guy and who doesn't necessarily have a flair for such a thing I want it to look good and reflect my personality. She's got some good ideas for me to increase storage space which lofts tend not to have a lot of. If anyone's interested, here's her web address: http://wincondesignresource.com/

How does she charge? By the hour? Can you give us an idea of what it costs to hire an interior decorator?

I LIKE the blue window frames. Actually, I'd like to see every floor done the same way. It would really add some life to the streetscape. I know we're not Miami or anything, but there's nothing wrong with a bit of color.

The Central Scrutinizer wrote:How does she charge? By the hour? Can you give us an idea of what it costs to hire an interior decorator?

They charge by the hour. I talked to Lori Olsen at Space Interiors LLC (she did the display unit at Bogen) and she looked at our floorplan and estimated the number of hours she expected it to take.



We haven't decided if we'll go with her or Mei.

Ok, here's some pics of the facade w/ blue accents & a view of the lobby as it stands. Note, a plan for the lobby is in works and is estimated to be complete within a couple months.



As far as the blue accents go... I don't know if it's the blue accent on the main entrance door or the fact that the lobby is unfinished; I just am not digging the view from outside coming in...



http://picasaweb.google.com/innov8ion/Meridian

innov8ion wrote:Ok, here's some pics of the facade w/ blue accents & a view of the lobby as it stands. Note, a plan for the lobby is in works and is estimated to be complete within a couple months.



As far as the blue accents go... I don't know if it's the blue accent on the main entrance door or the fact that the lobby is unfinished; I just am not digging the view from outside coming in...



http://picasaweb.google.com/innov8ion/Meridian

I don't mind the blue so much as it does add some color which sets the building apart but the blue does not go well at all with the brown front doors. Blue and brown are not good colors to mix. And I rather like what's going on with the left lobby wall. If they follow through with that theme throughout the rest of the lobby it could be very cool.

^I agree about the blue/brown mix. Does it not seem like The Meridian name and symbol should be centered in the middle? There are 4 panes of glass and the name/symbol takes up 2 panes...it seems as though there should be a blank pane on each side.

Assuming they paint the doors, it looks great!



As does the sign inside. I prefer it off center.

I would contact the glass contractor and have them redo the meridian glass correctly. This is their error. No one wants this off center unless the developers specifically asked it to be off center. Which makes no sense.



I bought in this building for the old 1800's loft look. Not Sky Blue Accents. The developer never shared those renderings with us. It is very tacky. The city of St. Louis may make them change the color before we will. If they painted the interior of the building blue I would't care. But to paint the exterior is horrible and completely destroys the antique character of the building.



Chad Larkins

Second Floor

IMO - the glass looks good. It is definitely not an error by anyone, but a stylistic choice. If centered, the logo would stradle two panes . . . there are good reasons it is how it is.



Also, I like the blue. Many historic structures used bright paint. I don't know if this is an exact replica of an historic color, but we shouldn't assume that all historic colors were bland - though I know it's hard to tell in black and white photos.

Ihnen wrote:IMO - the glass looks good. It is definitely not an error by anyone, but a stylistic choice. If centered, the logo would stradle two panes . . . there are good reasons it is how it is.



Also, I like the blue. Many historic structures used bright paint. I don't know if this is an exact replica of an historic color, but we shouldn't assume that all historic colors were bland - though I know it's hard to tell in black and white photos.

I agree with Ihnen. I like the blue accents, and I think the way that the Meridian name is off center adds a little interest.



I'm just curious to see what they do with the rest of the lobby. And does anyone know what they plan to do with the hallway floors? Floor 7 is hardwood and it looks like the other floors are concrete. I don't know if they plan to leave it that way or if they're going back to add hardwood to the other floors later.

I also like the blue and the name off-center. As far as the settling in goes, I guess that is never easy. To that end, I'm wondering how everyone's experiences with the management company are going. I can't say I am entirely pleased at all.

i agree that the off-center type looks good - it is a subjective judgement tho. because of the wall treatment, they had to do it that way. HOWEVER, if the logo isn't off-center in all the other materials then they should have designed the wall so it the logo was consistent with the rest of the "corporate image."

shelbyelyse wrote:I also like the blue and the name off-center. As far as the settling in goes, I guess that is never easy. To that end, I'm wondering how everyone's experiences with the management company are going. I can't say I am entirely pleased at all.

Details? Who is the management company?

aimster wrote:I agree with Ihnen. I like the blue accents, and I think the way that the Meridian name is off center adds a little interest.



I'm just curious to see what they do with the rest of the lobby. And does anyone know what they plan to do with the hallway floors? Floor 7 is hardwood and it looks like the other floors are concrete. I don't know if they plan to leave it that way or if they're going back to add hardwood to the other floors later.

I was told hardwood was to be installed in floors 5-9 to differentiate the higher priced floors. I'm not sure if there are other notable changes as you go up in floors or not.

cbroy2544 wrote:I was told hardwood was to be installed in floors 5-9 to differentiate the higher priced floors. I'm not sure if there are other notable changes as you go up in floors or not.

Yeah, it sets us 8th floor people apart from the riff-raff on the lower floors.