I do not think the price per square foot is all that bad compared to other lofts on Washington Avenue I searched. I looked at least 5 other buidlings and if I remember correctly it was around the 50th percentile in dollars per square feet.
bsharmastl...I bought about 2 weeks ago, I think Feb 1st. I believe I took the 4th to last indoor parking spot which would make their be approximately 33 indoor spots for residents.
Thanks for the info blipic. It does help. The building is beautiful, but indoor parking is what was the clincher for me. I don't mind paying a little extra, as long as I can have security for the car. One of the "main" complaints I have heard is people's cars being broken into. Too much aggravation.
Good things happenning. Construction has started. I hear Dec timeframe for floors 5-9 to "move in" (whatever that mean. if they will still be constructing, it's a LOT of noise).
bsharmastl, I also heard about the concern of cars being broken into; however I think the new downtown community will help bring an open, observant atmosphere that will ultimately mitigate the theft activity. Also, I believe the outdoor spots will be secured with gated entry; wherever they decide to have the outdoor parking.
Good to hear the first move in will be 5th-9th floor...I just made it, I am at the fifth floor, Unit E facing Southwest. Although I am hoping for November. I just want to know what the hold up is on prices for the upgrades. Honestly how long does that take??? Or do you think it is because they are still trying to figure out what will be standard?
blipic wrote:bsharmastl, I also heard about the concern of cars being broken into; however I think the new downtown community will help bring an open, observant atmosphere that will ultimately mitigate the theft activity. Also, I believe the outdoor spots will be secured with gated entry; wherever they decide to have the outdoor parking.
I don't think you are understanding how bad these smash and grab jobs are downtown. These theives breach secure garages sometimes to do their dirty work. No gate will stop them at 3am when the streets are barren. My buddy had his car parked in a "secure 24 hour lot" and got his window smashed in for some CDs. Be very happy that you have a garage spot. DT is at least a decade away from having the kind of population necessary to have 24 hour vibrancy to prevent crimes. Walk outside on wash ave anytime after 3am, no one will be in sight.
I have to agree with both the above mentioned statement. It will take some more nighttime activity (not only on weekends, but all week long), before people can feel comfortable walking out at night. On the other hand, it is the downtown community and the awesome groups present to make it better that have got it so far (as compared to 5 years back), that I have trust they can turn it around in less than a decade.
Drove down by the Ventana (had dinner Downtown) to go to Powell Symphony this Sat.. That short drive to Grand, to me, will be the most awesome part of living down there. Not to mention the Rams and Cards games
Went to the Mardi Gras parade and drove by Ventana in the evening. They have "completely" gutted the backside of the building and have put in the new Window frames on the top 3 floors (no glass yet). The window frames are exactly the same as the old ones. The space for the balconies is clearly visible.
They are getting the building ready top to bottom and back to front. I wonder how the bricks of these buildings are renovated and when they will do that? This building should stand out if they renovate it properly.
If they keep up this pace, I have no doubt they will meet the Dec deadline. I also got confirmation that I had an underground parking space reserved.
Good to hear! How did you get confirmation of the undeground parking spot? Did they send you something in the mail or did you just email them and ask if they actually have it recorded? I have it in my contract for 1 indoor parking spot.
Looks like they're sandblasting the front facade now. I just visited a friend in the University Lofts next door, and her floors were covered with dust and grit. I mean covered! And she only left her windows open about 3 inches! Oh, well. The price of progress, I guess.
Is there ANY news on a commercial tenant for big new projects like the Ventana and Adler lofts? Would be good to get a grocery store in. I also saw that down the road from Ventana (Delmar and 19th I think), there is a Food Mart. I have not been in there, but it looked a little run down.
The back of the Ventana is where you can see most of the progress in construction. Spaces for balconies have been cut out, and all new frames for windows have been put in.
No news on their upgrade prices. Wonder when those will come in.
bsharmastl wrote:Is there ANY news on a commercial tenant for big new projects like the Ventana and Adler lofts? Would be good to get a grocery store in. I also saw that down the road from Ventana (Delmar and 19th I think), there is a Food Mart. I have not been in there, but it looked a little run down.
The back of the Ventana is where you can see most of the progress in construction. Spaces for balconies have been cut out, and all new frames for windows have been put in.
No news on their upgrade prices. Wonder when those will come in.
They showed their upgrade to me a LONG time back, but did not (and as far as I know have not) finalized the prices. I know the categories and the approx. cost, but would still like to see a hard $ figure. My contract has an addendum section for any additional optional features for upgrade.
My agent spoke with the developer from Jacobs the other day. I purchased at The Ventana in early February. My agent is really well established and respected (Top 10) in St. Louis so I feel she has a good idea whether or not a situation is good. Moving on, after her conversation with the developer of Jacobs, she was left with a really good impression on the outlook of the construction. She said he was extremely informative as well as concerned with the buyers point of view/concerns. She claims he seems to be really of top of the game. As far as upgrades; they are still working out deals and getting bids from different suppliers to find the best possible deal for us as far as what is finally stated as standard or as an upgrade. I think it will be about another 1.5 to 2 months before an official upgrade price list available. I too have an addendum in my contract as far as upgrades go.
I thought prospective and current contracted consumers with Jacobs Development might care to know this information.
That is great news and thanks for the information. Updates like these on the Web site would also be extremely helpful.
The Cardinals management have promised $60 million for the "Ballpark Village", with construction starting ahead of schedule (Local Fox news reported this). The theme of the village is supposed to be sports (wonder that), with a possible ESPN Zone and Cards hall of fame. Is this the catalyst to hasten change?
For those that went to the open house, how did The Ventana look? I am mad I didn't make it. I get stuck in traffic on highway 40 and didnt make it to The Ventana till 6pm. I called Emily and she said you guys were on the roof about wrapping it up. Anything said about when we can pick upgrades? How is the view from the top? How many units are sold? Any other interesting details? Thanks for any information.
First of all, we were really impressed with how much had been done. THe new floors and sound mat had been installed in all but the 4th, 3rd and 1st floors and those are in progress. They already have all of the core drilling done for utilities and on the 8th floor they have the studs in place for all of the walls.
They have decided to make the rooftop pool 40" deep instead of 18", they did structural studies and the roof is stronger than they thought.
They have a commercial tenant for the entire 2nd floor and he will also have a gallery on the first floor taking up part of the retail space. The only thing I don't like about this is that he is buying the 11 loft spaces so will ahve 11 votes in the condo associaiton...meaning 1/10th of the votes will be controlled by the commercial tenant.
The windows have been finalized and will be installed in June.
They ahve decided on security system...you will have a little keychain fob that will get you into the building, then it will also allow the elevator to stop on your floor only...meaning that if you want to visit a neighbor on another floor, they would ahve to come and get you...the front box will ring to your home or cell phone and you can buzz people in, BUT you will ahve to go down in the elevator to retrieve them otherwise the would not be able to get off on your floor...same with the stairwells...the fob will allow you to open the stairwell door on your floor
mophipsi wrote:
They have a commercial tenant for the entire 2nd floor.........
They ahve decided on security system...you will have a little keychain fob that will get you into the building, then it will also allow the elevator to stop on your floor only...meaning that if you want to visit a neighbor on another floor, they would ahve to come and get you...the front box will ring to your home or cell phone and you can buzz people in, BUT you will ahve to go down in the elevator to retrieve them otherwise the would not be able to get off on your floor...same with the stairwells...the fob will allow you to open the stairwell door on your floor
Whoa! Who's your 2nd floor tenant, Fort Knox 2?!
But is all seriousness, did they give a reason for the ultra security? I mean, if you wanted to visit a neighbor it sounds like you'd need to meet them in the lobby and then go up to their floor, since they can't come to your floor to get you. Also don't they think having to pick up every guest who ever visits you will get kind of old? Especially if you have a get together. It just seems sort of suburban, "mini-gated communities" on each floor that is.
yes, it is BS...I assume when the residents take over the condo board from the developer the security issues wii be resolved by reprogramming all of that stuff...its way overboard
My guess is that, when you buzz people in, they will be able to go to your floor (and yours only). If you want to visit a neighbor, they'll have to hold open the stairwell door for you. I still wouldn't like it though. I think it should be the keychain fob will get you to any floor over the second floor so that people for the gallery from the second floor won't go up.
Hi, all. I'm new to this forum, but I decided to join it since I bought a unit here at The Ventana. Anyways, I saw a reply earlier about some open house thing. How did people get invited to that? I haven't received any invitation for an open house.
Also, I've been periodically checking the website and looking to see how many units have been sold. The website shows 35 units sold. Do they ever update that number? It's been like that for a while. Does anyone know if the number of units sold is more than that? Perhaps the parking is an issue. It's a good think I got a reserved parking space below the building, but what are they doing to accomodate others who don't have underground parking?
Anyone know who the tenant will be on the 2nd floor?
By the way, that security system does seem over the top.
Another side comment...I wish the Ventana would put a gym inside. I don't know where I can go to a gym downtown.
