urbanSTL

Why would you close on something if you aren't satisfied with it? No one is forced to close if they are unsatisfied. You are an idiot to close if unhappy. If you are "appalled" and infuriated, why not cancel and get your money back? Go buy somewhere else and quit complaining.

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Why would you close on something if you aren't satisfied with it? No one is forced to close if they are unsatisfied. You are an idiot to close if unhappy. If you are "appalled" and infuriated, why not cancel and get your money back? Go buy somewhere else and quit complaining.

It's not that simple. I don't know how much earnest money buyers had to put down at Westgate, but at my development it is a minimum of $6000. This is money that the developer is not going to return if you walk away. They don't just give you your money back voluntarily. Sure you could sue and try to get it back , but that takes time and ties up your money. Also I believe someone above mentioned that every day after your closing date that you don't close, the developers fine you some set amount. Either way the situation is far more complicated than simply not closing, walking away and "getting your money back."

Yes, and in addition, these lofts have appreciated substantially since buyers have gone to contract. At this point, you have to be really, really unsatisfied not to close because the upside of selling 2-3 years from now is enormous.

I know for for a FACT that unhappy buyers at WG who wish to cancle have gotten their earnest money back with no problems. I know that because I am buying there. If people aren't so upset to forgo their purchase they need to be positive and quite trash talking. They are only hurting themselves and myself in the long run for our re-sale. I don't want some annoying neighbor of mine talking bad about our building therefore hurting it's reputation, therefore hurting MY re-sale price. I get so sick of all these blogs talking bad about their properties. Are we trying to revitalize Downtown or are we part of the problem?

And....welcome to the forum.

Does anyone know if there are any plans to renovate the buildings immediately east of the WestGate Lofts?

SleepyLoftLady wrote:I know for for a FACT that unhappy buyers at WG who wish to cancle have gotten their earnest money back with no problems. I know that because I am buying there. If people aren't so upset to forgo their purchase they need to be positive and quite trash talking. They are only hurting themselves and myself in the long run for our re-sale. I don't want some annoying neighbor of mine talking bad about our building therefore hurting it's reputation, therefore hurting MY re-sale price. I get so sick of all these blogs talking bad about their properties. Are we trying to revitalize Downtown or are we part of the problem?

So we're just supposed to shut up about problems in the buildings? It's discussion of those problems that can help get them to other residents to check out as possible issues. While I don't want anyone to have to deal with these problems, I am glad that people are sharing their experiences. And not everything is negative. How many posts are people talking about how great their building and unit are? As for the effects of all of this dicussion, I think it helps a lot. People learn what to look for when purchasing, they demand a higher level of quality, and developers have to raise the standards of what they are producing. If we're going to revitalize Downtown, we have to do have developments that are going to last longer that you, me, or the people we sell to in the future.

SleepyLoftLady wrote:I know for for a FACT that unhappy buyers at WG who wish to cancle have gotten their earnest money back with no problems. I know that because I am buying there. If people aren't so upset to forgo their purchase they need to be positive and quite trash talking. They are only hurting themselves and myself in the long run for our re-sale. I don't want some annoying neighbor of mine talking bad about our building therefore hurting it's reputation, therefore hurting MY re-sale price. I get so sick of all these blogs talking bad about their properties. Are we trying to revitalize Downtown or are we part of the problem?

If people have beefs with the developer and want to come here and share their experiences to gain leverage in negotiating with said developer, they have every right to do so. As long as it doesn't turn into a Westgate bashing fest and people stick to real issues that are occuring(like reasons for a 1 year scheule overrun) then I see no cause for alarm. Just because some pof your peers want to come here and vent their experiences instead of sticking their fingers in their ears, closing their eyes and singing doen't mean they've done anyting wrong. When developers try to pull crap like this it hurts all of downtown's reputation, and they can and should be called on it so future buyers know to demand scheduling clauses in their contracts to offer themselves an out if need be.

HBM/UE:



I TOTALLY see your point and agree with you on a lot of things. The purchase process has been a looooong, stressful, and undersireable one at best. However, the building as almost 50% closed and things look good. All of the closed units I have seen look great, the rooftop looks like it is finally moving at a quick pace, all of the parking spots should be available in a few weeks. I am finally seeing that it was all worth it. I got a great price and hope to make a killing when all of the projects in the area are complete. It makes me sad to hear so many people talk poorly about my building. I wish everyone could move forward and not dwell on what we all wish would have happened.

Oh and PS. I hope everyone knows that Kevin McGowan and Nat Walsh (Of McGowan/Walsh) are 2 of the 5 WG owners. I love how they totally ignore that in their new marketing, sales center, etc. I wish they had spent a bit of their time on my building instaed of making sure their kids pictures are in their marketing materials.

The sentiments are starting to change. The last two years scared the hell out of me and I constantly had thoughts like "How did I end up buying into the worst property in STL". But you are correct SleepyLoftLady, things have begun to turn around. The parking is near completion, amazing strides on the roof, and for the most part, I feel as if my loft will prove to be a valuable investment. The quality of some things are lacking, but I can deal with it because I bought early and understand that I paid far less than those moving into Packard or Motor. I'm not certain there has been a lot of bashing, as much as there has been general empathy. As WG continues to become the place we buyers belived it could be, I think the general notrion that it is a failure will subside.



Yea, the whole McGowan Walsh and McGowan Brothers disconnect is a strange deal. WG appears on the McGowan Walsh website, but you never see any involvement or mention of the affiliation. I'd love to get the whole story on that.

I completely agree with STLTapper. Stumbling upon this site was a godsend. It was so reassuring to know that others had been feeling as in the dark as I had for the last two years.

There are few ways to hold the developers accountable. This open dialogue is one of them.

Thanks for the honesty.

I didn't know that WG was on the McG/W website...is there a link to the wg site? I will check out, in annoyance.

I really hate how they have put drywall behind the windows on the corner of Jefferson and Locust. What were the architects thinking?

SleepyLoftLady -- they JUST changed their website and it no llober lists WG as a project. They updated the page to really push Windows, Packard, Motor, and GEW.



southcityagent -- what drywall do youn speak of. Ask Roseman, they designed it.

The drywall is to conceal the first level parking garage. Their whole idea was to have it serve as a kind of storefront/gallery with art, etc. I admit, it looks a little strange. However, I do like that they are actually putting the artwork up as promised.

Ohhhhhh, that drywall! Love the concept, but not sure I like it as it stands. I envisioned the whole department store look. Like the idea of local art and think the condo association can really make it as good as they want it.

Ha ha! Yes, the drywall looked a mess but they cleaned it up for the loft tour. There are j boxes in the ceilings w no bulbs yet. That will help when they are lit up at night. I love the concept as well, some af the art is not my taste but I love the idea of helping out local artists. I think they are supposed to be switched out every 6 weeks or so. I think I can live w/ a dude being eaten alive by a shark for 6 weeks.

Thanks for the update, a gallery makes more sense. I just wish the city would require buildings to put retail space on prominent corners like this one.

Retail would be awesome, but where would we park? McGowan dug below the ground level to make that first floor a split-level parking garage.

I see a lot of work being done to the roof these days and that's nice to see. The model looks very nice as well. I think things seem to be moving in the right direction. I have not closed yet, but will soon. To those folks who talk about canceling and earnest money who have not read the contract for this particular building, please keep in mind that every contract is different. Just because you might not get back your earnest money with one company doesn't mean you won't with another. Only the people who have read the WG contract can really speak to that issue. And as for suing, its easy to sue. Its a lot harder to win. What per chance would be your cause of action? And did you read the mandatory provisions regarding mediation? Did you know you pay court costs and attorneys fees if you lose? Just curious. I happen to hear people want to sue folks all of the time (defense lawyer), but rarely does that amount to anything but hot air. Maybe your class action will be different. I doubt it though having read the contract.

Congrats on your upcoming closing. Have people really threatened lawsuits here? I think most people just wanted to feel as though they were being treated fairly. I agree, it is so nice to see progress being made on the roof. Now if only they could be finished by August and we could celebrate poolside!

Just out of curiosity, how long have you been committed to buying at Westgate?

I believe the pool will not be complete until September. I heard a rumor it will be extremely shallow.

Stop. This is a vicious rumor, indeed.

How shallow is shallow?

on a serious note...3 ft

Three feet is not extremely shallow for a pool of that nature. Its the same as Wireworks and actually deeper than a few rooftop pools rumored in other condos downtown, one of which I heard was 1 ft. My closing is in 1-2 months depending on my change orders.