I was wondering if anyone else has seen the transformation of the Windows Lofts? Great job by McGowan|Walsh. Simply looking at the photos, you would be hard-pressed to tell they were the same building.



related links:

http://www.windowslofts.com/

http://www.mcgowanwalsh.com/

It is quite a transformaton especially at the base. I wonder if they are planning to do something with the cornice? That is the one part of the building that really sticks out as out of place.

That building is really looking good. Looks like the units are selling quickly as well!

I?ve been told that there will be a neon champagne sign on the side of the building. Also, residents are moving in now.

I was down there today, and they've painted the back of the building bright, bright ORANGE!

They are also starting to cut out part of the brick in the NW corner of the building to create verandas.

loftlover wrote:I was down there today, and they've painted the back of the building bright, bright ORANGE!

Yes, I saw that while playing at the City Museum over the weekend.

Orange? That sounds pretty cool! I think the front of the building looks great.



Will Windows on Washington be occupying the first floor, or will the first floor be used as rentable retail space?

I was told that W on W will have the top three or four floors and there's some kind of graphic design firm who've rented (or bought) the first level space. Separate elevators/entrance for residents.

loftlover wrote:I was down there today, and they've painted the back of the building bright, bright ORANGE!

I believe that orange is just a primer.

^

You're right - we just checked out Windows for a wedding reception, and were told the same thing. I kind of liked the idea of an orange building though.

irocktheparty2000 wrote:

loftlover wrote:I was down there today, and they've painted the back of the building bright, bright ORANGE!

I believe that orange is just a primer.

It does really add some color to what is basically an alley and service entrance and brightens up the area as seen from City Museum.

I drove by today just to check it out, and I really think it looks good like that. I know it is going to get painted over, but there is that little bit of hope in me that they keep it that way.

markinlondon wrote:I?ve been told that there will be a neon champagne sign on the side of the building.

Here is a rendering of the building showing the sign you were talking about. It is hard to see in this small image. I don't know if it was part of the project or just something used to spice up the graphic.

urbanstlouis wrote:

markinlondon wrote:I?ve been told that there will be a neon champagne sign on the side of the building.

Here is a rendering of the building showing the sign you were talking about. It is hard to see in this small image. I don't know if it was part of the project or just something used to spice up the graphic.

Would be cool look from the street no doubt but I bet the people living on those floors wouldn't appreciate their view looking out being blocked plus probably would not like the light coming in either.

It'd be like when they put the Kenny Rogers Chicken across the street from Cosmo Kramer's.

Floors 2 through 5 will be residential, and the top three floors will be for the banquet facility, so the neon should not be a problem.

They installed the champagne bottle sign today. It looks pretty much like it does in the illustration. Its all animated neon. The cork pops, fizz sprays, and the cork jumps up into the air. Pretty cool. It really shows up at night!

Yeah, it's pretty neat. I watched them put it up today. I'll try to take a picture of it tomorrow.

I just noticed that last night; had no idea it was coming...



At first blush the animation bothered me. But then I stepped back a bit and considered it in the context of the Knickerbocker, Flannery's, Macro Sun, Lucas Park signage... and it seemed appropriate. It reminds me of all the hype Metropolis made when the Knickerbocker sign went up, about how WashAve would someday be awash in commercial neon.



Now, we just need to bring back the painted adverts, and we'll have a Beal Street thing going...



(P.S. anyone else bothered by how lame the Flannery's sign looks at night?)

(P.S. anyone else bothered by how lame the Flannery's sign looks at night?)

Yes - I thought I was the only one!

I also love the fountain in the lobby of the Windows building. Haven't been by lately but I understand they will be adding a garden of glass flowers to it at some point.

phobia wrote:I just noticed that last night; had no idea it was coming...

At first blush the animation bothered me. But then I stepped back a bit and considered it in the context of the Knickerbocker, Flannery's, Macro Sun, Lucas Park signage... and it seemed appropriate. It reminds me of all the hype Metropolis made when the Knickerbocker sign went up, about how WashAve would someday be awash in commercial neon.

The soon-to-open Ice Cream shop on the corner of Washington/14th Street is seeking permission to erect "a lighted, protruding sign".