urbanSTL

Giordano's is the best! I was just there a few weeks ago.



And you're right, Black Thorn is no Giordano's, but it's definitely my favorite pizza in STL. I'd love to see a downtown location serving it up by the slice.

The display unit in The Avenida was also one of my favorites during the loft tour. I especially admire the dark wood floor, and I would love to replicate it for my own home.



Here is a photo that I took from behind The Avenida on January 6, 2007. Is leaving the back unfinished common?

Avenida is by Jacob Dev. They also did the Ventana, which is nearly done. They did the back a bit later than the front of the building. I guess the front of the building is the real face.

Wrong thread.

What's the deal with the retail space in this building? It doesn't look likes it's even been touched.



EDIT: So I remember that the Bridge and Tunnel pizza place is supposed to go here, but again, it still doesn't look like it's been touched. Any planned start construction date? Will it occupy all of the retail space available? Thnaks.

steve wrote:Noticed last night that there's a hearing for a liquour license for the Bridge and Tunnel Pizza scheduled for Apr 14 (or 17?)--one of the teens in April. Anyway, they're asking for full drink and a 3 am license.

3am? That's insanely good news. Just imagine the business from people wanting to sober up after a hard night of drinking. If their pizza is half-good, they'll make a killing.

Plus its pizza by the slice...think an authentic Sbarro...that is open for the late night crowd. This is a great fit for the neighborhood, I am more excited about this than any new upscale restaurants, this is actually more of a need for the neighborhood.

mophipsi wrote:Plus its pizza by the slice...think an authentic Sbarro...that is open for the late night crowd. This is a great fit for the neighborhood, I am more excited about this than any new upscale restaurants, this is actually more of a need for the neighborhood.

Yeah, the area is in dire need of restaurant diversity. Too many slow, upscale restaurants. Not enough quick, reliable options...

Plus, up until now, most of the restaurant options are designed to lure people downtown...which is great...but not much has really been focused on the downtown residents...this is really something that focuses on providing a service for the neighborhood...good stuff

What is the update on this project?

Is it completed?

^ Yeah, and what about Bridge and Tunnel Pizza?

not completed yet....this is the 3rd project for the developer. Their second project (The Bogen) is almost 100%...I am sure they will go hard on the Avenida once that happens. That was the same case when they finished their first project. As far as the pizza place, I don't know...hope it happens though...

Seems to me they have their hands full. 1st building not completely sold. Bogen not even close to completely sold. They also don't have an anchor tenant in the Bogen. Housing market is soft right now...and they have another building. Their prices are also high. I'm sure that burns people that have already bought. You can go buy a larger place, just a nice, for less money than what they are selling theirs for. That's probably why they removed the prices...so that people that have already bought will not know if they have to lower them. Good times!

A friend from my office visited the Jabob sales office on Monday and they said they have pulled the plug on The Avenida. They said they are considering more office space and/or apartments for the building but may move forward with condos at a later date. They said they are focusing all of their energy (and resources) on The Ventana and The Bogen.

I really liked the Avenida display.

AvantStL wrote:A friend from my office visited the Jabob sales office on Monday and they said they have pulled the plug on The Avenida. They said they are considering more office space and/or apartments for the building but may move forward with condos at a later date. They said they are focusing all of their energy (and resources) on The Ventana and The Bogen.

Interesting. I think that's fine. Whether they're lofts or not, it'd be nice to see the building utilized in some fashion. And extra nice if there's some activity on the street-level.

Seems to me they have their hands full. 1st building not completely sold. Bogen not even close to completely sold. They also don't have an anchor tenant in the Bogen. Housing market is soft right now...and they have another building. Their prices are also high. I'm sure that burns people that have already bought. You can go buy a larger place, just a nice, for less money than what they are selling theirs for. That's probably why they removed the prices...so that people that have already bought will not know if they have to lower them. Good times!

You could say the same for any developer with mutiple projects in this kind of market...only time will tell. They are not doing bad for the 1st building now 70% sold after 6 months of occupancy. I hear it take a year or more for full occupancy. As a buyer I am not burned...I got in pre-construction as most did and paid much less and picked my own upgrades before they raised prices and now that everything is about finished the prices not only include the unit but the upgrades they decided to put in for each unit. Their prices are competitive to others except for maybe pyramid which gives you more sqft for the money, however I looked everywhere downtown and couldn't find the passion for historic and contemporary along with the craftsmanship it took to make it happen...closing soon and getting very excited....cheers,

AvantStL wrote:A friend from my office visited the Jabob sales office on Monday and they said they have pulled the plug on The Avenida.

WHA!? Those were my favorite lofts (looking at all the pictures and plans)



Maybe they will sell the model unit?



I am surprised they did the Ventana before the Avenida....

Wow, I did not know they had pulled the Avenida, but may be a smart choice with the market the way it is. I'd rather see them focus on getting the Ventana and Bogen sold. We had originally went to the Jacob office to look at the Avenida, but then ended up buying at the Bogen. The avenida display was awesome, but it did not have underground parking, which was a definite stop for us to even consider it. With all the current projects downtown, it seems everywhere has parking in the building so we were worried for re-sale and just for safety.



I do think people may be getting a better deal now with the market down and the fact they've pulled the prices. But as mentioned, we got to customize all our upgrades and do things the way we wanted and now it looks awesome...so it will hopefully have been worth it in the end...just as long as they don't drastically drop prices!

Have they cancelled this project altogether or is it just on the backburner until the market improves? Their website states the have sold 11 out of 51 units. It doesnt suprise me that some of these projects will fold with the current real estate market. I wonder who is next?

Got some information today.



1. The display... most amazing display I have seen. The interior design/history granite/views are just jaw dropping.



2. Pricey



3. They do have underground parking, I think someone said they didnt... They said only 1 spot per loft though, then a 2nd spot will be in the back lot. They are looking into lifts.



4. I dont know if I misunderstood... but I think he said there is going to be a community roof deck, and he did not mention anything about a workout room. (Dont quote me)



5. Condo fees are estimated @ 18 cents a sqft. It includes internet.



6. Construction starts in 6 months.

I talked to a Jacob's employee at the Ventana on Sunday night and he told me that the Avenida was going to be rental. He said they were currently talking to a number of banks.

From the Biz Journal:

Andy Hillin, principal of Jacob Development Group, is positioning The Avenida Lofts building at 1235 Washington Ave. as a mixed-use building with apartments and commercial space. The original plans for the seven-story building called for condos. Priced between $750 and $1,500 per month, the 36 apartments will open to residents next summer.



Hillin said he has signed a letter of intent with a restaurant to lease the 10,000 square feet of ground floor retail space.