urbanSTL

Correct, Kevin McGowan left and joined Nat Walsh. McGowan Bros. and McGowan Walsh have Westgate listed as a project. Apparently, the historic windows are what caused the delay. My only concern, is the quality of the work. For the time it has taken, it ought to be perfect. We'll see soon.

Windows causing an 8 month delay? If you say so...

It is nice that you don't care about time, but I'm sure others in your building who are paying high month to month leases, paying late fees, and having home sales fall through do care.

I never indicated that I thought the reason for the delay was true, nor did I say I didn't care about time -- I was merely informing those interested, as to what future occupants had been told caused the delay. Trust me, I'm not happy and your comments and my thoughts are completely along the same line. I'm not trying to defend the builders or argue with you, just passing along a bit of info...



Have you purchased anywhere? Do know anyone building in WG? Have their sentiments been negative?



Thanks!

Oh on man. I hate to ask this, but what are the move ins now? You seriously may need to get a lawyer and back out at this point. This is beyond silly now.

Urban Elitist wrote:You seriously may need to get a lawyer and back out at this point.

Ouch. A lawyer? Has it come to that? I guess if they can't give you a firm move in date at this point, something has to be done. I hate to see this as it gives loft development downtown in general a bad name.

^I agree I hate to see it come to this as well, but McGowan Bros. is way out of line now. They're screwing over alot of people trying to sell their homes/condos and keep their rate locks intact. Something shady is going on over there and I'd be afraid to even take possesion of the loft now for fear of corner cutting to close as quickly as possible. Honestly, if it were me, my attorney would already have been on the case.

I gave up on firm dates a long time ago. Originally told early 2005, then mid, then late, then early 2006. The webpage still states "Move-in Winter 2005" The place is not even close to being complete. My guess is another 3 to 6 months. I wondered if I was the only one who thought that the McGowan Bros. are shooting themselves in the foot with this project, but other posts indicate I'm not alone. It's a bummer being so excited early on and now being so uncertain. There must be a lot to this that we buyers are not being told. Who knows? Though I'm envious, it's nice to hear that most projects have not gone this bad.

^what a bunch of bull$hit.......Are they communicating with you about what is going on and are they apologizing up the wazoo? I would think at the very least they need to cover the first 1-2 mortgage payments when you guys move in or some other form of monetary compensation for your MAJOR inconvenience. The last time I saw Westgate it looked like the top 3 floors have the new windows in but the bottom floor looked like a trainwreck inside.......

STLTapper, you need to get as many of your neighbors as possible and get one lawyer to represent you all in a class action. That way it will be affordable to you. I think if you don't do this, they will never take you seriously and they will continue to jerk you around. It's time to take action man. Even if you end up not backing out of the deal, you could gain concesssions like those stated in the above post.

Hi all,

I have been waiting for this place to be ready for over a year now. The original move in date was supposed to be last April. Westgate is actually a full year behind schedule. I have been thinking about getting a lawyer too and backing out. I have spent a lot of extra money in rent waiting for construction to be completed, because they weren't straight forward with us from the beginning. It was always "just 2 more months" and then " "just a few more months" and then "Oh, just kidding, a few more." When you pay month-to-month in rent, it's a _lot_ more than if you're able to commit to a year or even 6 months. If I added up the money I've lost in excess rent, it would just make me more infuriated.



I feel we've been given the run-around, and at times, I felt I was purposefully lied to. If I knew what was going to happen, I would _not_ have gone into contract with the McGowan Brothers. If anyone asks me, I would recommend not doing business with them under any circumstance.



Sorry for the negativity, everyone! I'm sure the place will be beautiful. If it's ever done.

Wow, Engineer. Can you read minds? I have been thinking the exact same thing for months. I have spoken with several other future woners who share similar sentiments. I'm certain we've been give the run-a-round throughout this entire process. It's no wonder Kevin McGowan left to do his own thing. My major concern is ensuring this thing gets done, and done right. I don't want to move into a building that is nearly complete and spend the next two years waiting for it to be finished. As you well know, any date we've been given has been a joke.

STLTapper, do you or anyone else know when the latest announced move-in date is? Last I heard (about 3 weeks ago) was March, but April if you want the elevator functioning when you move in. And it's March 14th now. I can't get ahold of the property manager. Anybody have a clue?

Last I heard, we were going to be in by the middle of April....but if you saw the building, you may disagree. Who knows what we'll be told next. My whole problem has been that I feel we have been lied to the whole time. If it's not going to be done, just tell me so I can adjust my schedule accordingly. It's not as if they're two months behind...THEY TOLD ME THAT WE'D BE IN BY LAST APRIL!!!

STLTapper9 wrote:Looks as if Westgate will begin closing April 17th.

Until next Saturday when they will announce closings will be April 17th, 2007.

Hey now, easy on my future residence. Funny, but very true.

I'm just worried that the rest of the building won't be ready for a while. I.E. the outside parking lot, the rooftop, etc. I'd hate to move in next month and not have the pool and rooftop deck done until next year sometime.

Engineer wrote:I'm just worried that the rest of the building won't be ready for a while. I.E. the outside parking lot, the rooftop, etc. I'd hate to move in next month and not have the pool and rooftop deck done until next year sometime.

If they do move you guys in and the common space elements are not complete, I would fight paying your condo fees until some of that stuff got done.

if they do closings before the common elements are completed your lender might hold up your loan, I'd chack on that if I were you

Closings begin this week!

I am happy that I stumbled upon these posts. Being one of the first to buy into the Westgate promises, I too have been very disappointed.



My closing is now scheduled for May 19. I think as future buyers it would definitely be in our best interest to all object to paying condo fees before the rooftop is complete. Or, at least we should not pay the full amount.

I want Seamus, Tim, Nat, and Kevin to pay out of pocket for the months we go without the rooftop amenities. I am with whoever said that the delay is absolutely inexcusable. I have defended the property since day 1 because I fell in love with the building. But the BS about the historic windows taking an extra 8 months is ridiculous.



All that said, I couldn't be more excited to move in to my unit. The location is ideal for me and I am anxious to see what (in addition to the school) goes up next in the neighborhood.

I would definitely not pay for the rooftop amenities if you can't use them yet. When will they be ready? I love the design of the rooftop space. One of the nicest in the loft district.

Glad you feel that way. I'm with STLTapper. When you've decided to move in you want to be as positive as possible about the whole thing, even if it has taken FOREVER.

They haven't given us a date when to expect rooftop clubhouse and pool.

In August, 2004, my wife and I walked through Westgate, spoke to Jessie, looked at the circuit clerk?s files for civil suits against the McGowan?s and thought, ?let?s do it.? We visited Jessie and reserved a unit. The unit was to be ready in April, 2005. Great!



Time passed. And passed and passed. Explanations were made. Excuses were offered. April came, as did May, June and July. We had moved to temporary housing at the Rudman. We saw Kevin on the street and he assured us we would be in by August. He said the contractors had never been late on a project. More time passed. More explanations and excuses. August came and disappeared. Children were conceived, born and weaned. The dirt field on Jefferson at Highway 40 grew into a motel which has been open for some time. More explanations and excuses.



Life at the Rudman was good. We sort of forgot we were waiting for the Westgate.



Driving past the Westgate was disappointing. Nothing seemed to be happening. Then suddenly there was activity. A building was in the process of renovation. What a thrill! We remembered why we were at the Rudman ? temporary housing.



Jessie called about walk throughs. We had punch lists. Some disagreements. Then a closing date.



So today we closed. We gave Lois Bailey our money. She gave us a folder of papers and the keys. It was all worth it. We loved our unit.



Tonight we packed the car, drove to the Westgate, slipped the key into the Locust street door and nothing happened. We called Jessie who said, ?I was sure that key would work.?