This past week John and Brian of New Era Realty held an interview with the Four Seasons Denver team and toured the building under construction. With incredible views, amenities, and floor plans this brand new addition to the Denver condo and loft marketplace offers the absolute best in quality. To learn or to schedule a tour of this fantastic property please give us a call at 303-991-9878.
The weather and the nights are getting warmer. As we cruise into summer another downtown Denver condo and loft tradition begins this Wednesday.
You know who they are if you have ever seen them. Hundreds of costumed, laughing, bike riding Denver residents riding through the streets of Downtown Denver on their cruiser bikes. The rides are amazingly fun, stopping at a series of local pubs for a food, beverage, or just conversation.
Each ride has a theme ranging this year from the "wild wild west" to "bubble wrap". Hilarity every step of the way as you enjoy checking out the costumes almost as much as the ride itself.
The theme for the first ride will be (drum roll please) PINK! So that leaves a lot of room for interpretation. Whether you decide to take in the ride itself or plan to find a nice patio seat along the cruiser route to watch this Wednesday it all happens. Bring your creativity or your curiosity and we will see you there.
Get ready... we are going to be posting an interview with the team at SPIRE shortly. This week John Stegner and Brian Lehnerz sat down with the developer and architect from SPIRE to discuss different aspects of this exciting building. We wanted to share more information with you and on behalf of the many clients we are working with at SPIRE.
We are beginning to call SPIRE our second home and it seems that one member of our team is taking a tour almost every day. There is a good reason for that. SPIRE's combination of offering multiple amenities, lower prices, incredible views, great location, and immediate occupancy make it a powerful combination. And the market agrees. Since SPIRE began it's closing process just over a month ago they have roughly 50 occupied residences and over 70 closings. The front desk is staffed, the hot tubs are steaming, and the brand new fitness center equipment is open for residents. We asked what the most popular amenities were within the building and it appears that it's a tie... everything is popular. There have even been a few homeowner initiated social events in the lounge areas as folks get a chance to meet their new neighbors.
It is amazing to watch. It's even more personal for us because so many of those residents are our clients. One of the most rewarding parts of our job is that moment when a new homeowner picks up their keys and enjoys the pride of owning their dream home. You can probably tell we like SPIRE because it meets the goals and needs of our clients. But SPIRE isn't the only downtown building we like.. but right now it is often the favorite for our clients.
We have gotten so many calls and inquiries asking us for our SPIRE expertise, and that's exactly what we are here for. We are not just experts on SPIRE, we are also experts on the entire Downtown Denver condo and loft market. Buying your dream home is an important decision and as we work with clients we do a tour of many downtown Denver projects throughout the many neighborhoods that match your price point and objectives. High rise buildings with amenities like SPIRE, Glass House, or ONE Lincoln are great to compare against each other. But it's also helpful to look at low and mid rise buildings, warehouse conversion projects, and townhome or single family homes in the various neighborhoods like the highlands or sloans lake. Denver has far too many great projects, neighborhoods, and real estate opportunities that we like to share with our clients in their dream home search. SPIRE has been the most popular project, but not the only incredible opportunity in Denver. So please feel free to give us a call and we will let you be the judge. Let our experience present you with options for you to decide for yourself what the best home in Denver is.
Regards,
The New Era Realty Team
And what better day to mention another fun past time you can enjoy as a downtown Denver condo and loft resident... Salsa Dancing.
Don't know how to salsa? Well put that margarita aside and sign up for lessons because there is a solution to teach you how to Salsa like a master. Here is a blurb from their site...
1. To support and promote Salsa music and the Salsa dance community in Colorado
2. To organize and operate weekly educational sessions that allow the community to learn and participate in Salsa dancing
3. To teach and perform Salsa dancing within the community (Including regularly scheduled performances in area nursing homes, hospitals and at charitable events)
4. To develop an educational program for public schools that teaches Salsa dancing and culture
History
Salsa Central Denver (SCD) was founded in 1996 by Malina Farias as a way to centralize the Salsa information in the Denver metro area. Initially, SCD started as a simple monthly newsletter sent via email to all members. Over the years, the newsletter became secondary to the club’s true vision of bringing Salsa dance and Salsa music to the Colorado community. Education became the key to this vision; educating dancers, continuing education for professionals and teachers, outreach programs, and public performances.
In 2005, SCD expanded into a Board of Directors and official staff. It wasn’t until the end of 2005 that Salsa Central Denver created a formal structure, business plan, and began work on a formal application for 501c3 status. It was at this point that SCD organized Colorado’s first weekly Salsa Social at the Denver Turnverein (home to three other dance clubs as well) and established annual events to cultivate the enthusiasm for Salsa dance throughout the Denver community. Partnering with the Turnverein not only provided a home for SCD, but also a structure within which the SCD Teacher’s Association was born – established to provide consistent and high-quality instruction for all levels of Salsa dancers.
Today, Salsa Central Denver continues its mission by holding weekly Salsa socials focused on dance instruction and cultivating a community, organizing annual events to continue the enthusiasm for Salsa dance throughout the area, and sponsoring bi-annual showcases and the annual Colorado Salsa Open competition to encourage local dancers to better themselves; consequently improving the overall dance quality and stimulating interest for Salsa dance in central Denver.
SCD’s staff is comprised entirely of volunteers that dedicate their time and energy simply for their love of dance.
First impressions are lasting impressions, so if you are getting your Denver condo or loft ready to list, you will want to know how to make the best first impression to buyers that you can possibly make. The following 7 tips will help you to put your Denver condo or loft in the best possible light and in turn your property will sell from 30% to 50% faster than if you simply had it listed and did nothing to set the perfect stage for prospective buyers.
1. One thing that all buyers are going to do is picture themselves in the Denver condo or loft. This is why it is extremely important to de-clutter. The pictures, mementos and your personal collections should all be packed away. This allows potential buyers to imagine what the space would look like with their personal items in place. Anything you are still using can be put in a box and placed out of the way.
2. If you have repairs that need to be done, get them taken care of before people come to see the property. Things such as faucets that leak, walls that are dirty and doors that do not close properly will be the focus of attention rather than the great space you have if you do not fix them.
3. Make sure the kitchen appears as large as possible by cleaning off all counter spaces and shelves. An accent candle on the kitchen counter looks much better than an assortment of small appliances that are taking up space. The dishes that you are using should be neatly organized and not a jumble of this and that in the cabinets.
4. Another area that you want to appear as large as possible is the bathroom. All personal items need to be put away so the bathroom looks bare. Make sure the whole area is sparkling clean and invest in a new shower curtain. Everything needs to look crisp and fresh.
5. When selling a loft or condo, many times there is no place to put flyers outside, so most agents don’t create them. At New Era Realty, we always do full color flyers for our loft/condo listings. These have professional photos and highlight the unique details of the loft or condo so the potential buyers may take one with them. This helps them to keep the property in their mind. When someone is looking at a great many properties it is hard to keep them all straight and remember the details of each one. This will help them to remember and increase the odds of sale.
6. People are going to use the five senses to tell them if they like something or not.
Finally, create a sense of flow or space for buyers to experience as they move around the loft or condo. This may require the help of a professional stager. We have one we highly recommend and her results have been proven over and over with fast sales. Shoot us a note (agents@mynewera.com) or give your loft and condo experts at New Era Realty a ring: John Stegner (303.52.7746) or Brian Lehnerz (303-521-6262)
As many of you know, New Era Realty recently opened a new office in Denver’s Lower Highlands (LoHi) neighborhood. With one of the highest walkable scores in Denver, located only steps from Downtown Denver and LoDo, LoHi is becoming one of the top neighborhoods for loft and condo dwellers (Denver’s trendy LoHi). Area restaurants including Lola, Vita, Forest Room 5, Colt and Gray, LoHi SteakBar and Z Cuisine, just to name a few, make LoHi a culinary delight. With new loft and condo projects springing up everywhere around our office (with many fetching some of the highest prices in Denver), we set out to locate some affordable options for the first-time buyer or buyer on a more limited budget. These two new LoHi loft and condo projects are must-see’s if you don’t want to break the bank!
Sprocket Designs is well-known for designing and building high-quality, ultra modern lofts and condos in some of Denver’s hottest neighborhoods. With over 15 successful projects to-date and several more planned, Sprocket has become a household name especially among discerning loft and condo buyers. Boulder Street Gardens is one of Sprocket’s newest projects which will be located just down the street from our office, between 17th and 18th Streets on Boulder Avenue. This collection of 9 “townhome” style Denver lofts and condos is scheduled to be completed at the end of 2010. With pricing starting in the mid $200,000 range to less than $300,000, this project is arguably the best deal in LoHi right now! In fact, they have already sold 1/3 of the units by word of mouth alone (one of our clients snapped the first one up!). This is no surprise given the features found in these Denver lofts and condos! Buyers can choose from 2-3 bedroom, 1.5-2 bathroom units with 900 square feet or more of living space plus an optional basement (a recommended add-on for only $25,000). Each townhome has a private courtyard with patio and fenced yard (very rare at this price point), balcony on the 2nd level and a 1 car detached garage. Inside the discerning buyer will find a host of modern finishes and surprisingly open and airy floorplans including a 2-story vaulted ceiling in the family room. Please email us or ring John (303-522-7746) and Brian (303-521-622) for more information about the Boulder Street Gardens project as well as current pricing and availability. At current prices, expect these Denver loft and condos to sell out quickly!
The other new Denver loft and condo project we find particularly alluring is the 32nd Avenue Rowhomes. This collection of 5 new, ultra modern townhomes are priced very attractively between $380,000 and $410,000. These LoHi lofts and condos feature 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and 1083 to 1200 finished square feet. An attached 1 or 2 car garage, rooftop deck or balcony and sleek European finishes make these an unbeatable deal for the area. Best of all, these lofts and condos are LEED-certified meaning they are environmentally responsible and will save you a bundle on your utility bills!
This includes:
- Energy efficient CFL lighting
- Energy Star appliances
- Xeriscaping
- Home Energy Rating System (HERS) score of 70-80
- Efficient hot water plumbing system-
- Tankless hot water heater
- Radon mitigation systems pre-wired
- Low VOC paint
- 95% efficient furnace
With one sold already, these Denver lofts and condos are going fast, so email us or ring Brian (303-521-622) or John (303-522-7746) for your private tour of this hot new development!
Yes, you read that correctly. Roller Disco is arriving to Denver with an opening night this coming May 2nd.
We are fascinated to see how this kicks off. For those of you who haven't looked at the weather report for this weekend...it's bleak. With SPIRE residents enjoying their new homes (and pools) and the Glass House opening their pool on May 1st we were hoping for sunshine and high temperatures. Well it doesn't look like it's going to happen.
So take it indoors and add some fun with some Roller Disco. Sounds like an interesting and unforgettable date night. Here are the details...
Glamazon RollerDisco Opening Night!!!
Type: Party - Club Party
Start Time:
Sunday, May 2, 2010 at 9:00pm
End Time:
Monday, May 3, 2010 at 2:00am
Location:
LaRumba
Street:
99 W. 9th Ave
City/Town:
Denver, CO
View Map
Description
Have you ever been dancing & thought "WOW, I really wish I was on roller skates right now!"? Well, dust off your skates & get your groove on, roller disco has come to Denver. The first Sunday of every month LaRumba is home to Denver's newest sensation. The Blondes bring you far more then just a nightclub dance party. Incorporating Studio 54 with roller disco, & a few modern twists. All the roller rink & disco classics you love thrown in with a few current hits. The rest of the month LaRumba will be taken over by Glamazon on Sundays. A blissful mix of disco, glitzy nu wave, 70's glam rock, & the best in electroclash from Europe. All the best in fun, glamorous dance music.
So slap on a head band or throw on some leg warmers, LaRumba is now the place to boogie the night away. Sundays are sure to become the most fun you have all week.
Where and when did this concept of loft living come from? Although I’m always reminded of Denver’s lofts when I visit the cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde in Southern Colorado; I think that saying that they were inspired by our native American ancestors would be a stretch. Architects trace back the beginning of lofts to a more modern source, 19th century Paris when local artists in Paris needed room for the paintings they were doing at the time. Since the canvas’ were much larger than usual; their studios required high ceilings to accommodate the height of the paintings and lofts were perfect.
Denver’s lofts and condos are similar to a yet more modern source and resemble early 20th century lofts that were built on the east coast of the U.S. They were originally built as storage and most were near shipping ports. Primarily the Boston and New York areas were where most of these first lofts were located.
The 1940’s saw many of the lofts in the area south of Houston Street known as SoHo in New York beginning to be used by artists. Struggling to make a living from their chosen profession, they chose the abandoned warehouse lofts as their home. This was the beginning of the use of the lofts as apartments in the U.S. by those who were considered ‘starving artists.’
In the 1970’s, SoHo had started renovating many of the loft spaces and changing them from commercial space to residential, which led to rezoning by the city. Approximately 92% of the original loft areas used for homes were not legally zoned for this use. As they say, majority rules, so the city was basically forced into changing the area from commercial property to residential.
Over the next 20 years or so, the lofts became more popular and other areas of the country started using them as residences as well. The trend in the 1980’s leaned toward living in the downtown areas of cities. The convenience and proximity to everything needed was the primary reason for this.
Both single people and couples that were living together made up the majority of the market for the lofts. Denver lofts and condos were (and still are) no exception. Many cities, including this area, were experiencing urban renewal at this time. The benefits included public investment in the projects slated for renovation in the downtown areas as well as tax breaks. More cities began to zone the areas as residential eliminating the violation of commercial property zones.
When the lofts began to really make an impression on the country, they were spreading to all the major cities - Boston, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Atlanta - just to name a few. Cities that were experiencing the highest number of people moving back to the downtown areas in the 1990’s were Seattle, Chicago, San Francisco, Chattanooga, Atlanta, Boston, Miami, and of course, Denver.
The use of office buildings, warehouses, stores and factories as lofts have progressively become more popular. Waterfront areas and historic sites are prime locations for lofts today. The trend that started due to necessity grew and the construction of lofts today are being seen everywhere in the U.S. Although many of these newly constructed living spaces do not in any way resemble their predecessors, there are some companies trying to recreate the old look and feel of the original lofts.
Regardless as to whether you are looking for an open historic brick and beam loft, or a more modern version of the loft concept, we would be happy to help! To schedule a time to see what lofts and condos are currently available, please contact us and we will get hard to work putting our experience to use for you!
That's right, yesterday we were at one of our SPIRE closings for our client while the very first SPIRE homeowners were moving in. With keys in hand and a moving truck pulled up to the building a huge milestone was passed. SPIRE is now open and occupied.
SPIRE has it all when it comes to Downtown Denver loft and condo offerings. SPIRE has a terrific location in the heart of Downtown Denver with a short walk to either the 16th street mall or the Cherry Creek Running Trail. It's also in the heart of the Theater District and surrounded by restaurants, shops, and entertainment. It has probably more amenities (such as pools, gym and more) than any other downtown denver high rise building. It has height, views, architecture, great floor plans, and some incredibly attractive prices.
But up until yesterday we still had one question that affected a few of our clients as we went to SPIRE and asked "When can our clients move in?" New development projects are always working with certain goals that determine when they can start having closings. That might be how many units have been sold, or in the case of SPIRE they might be shooting to meet the FHA requirement's so that their FHA homebuyer's can meet their financing requirements. That process from a timing standpoint means going month to month on their existing lease or waiting to sell their current home until they get the final schedule for their move in. Many people have the flexibility to do this, especially when what they are waiting for is their ideal Downtown Denver Loft or Condo new home. But for others a definite move in date is critical.
That is why the first move in that occurred yesterday is such a huge milestone. SPIRE was already leading the pack as one of the most attractive buildings to own at in Downtown Denver and it just took a huge leap forward again. And being a developer has huge advantages for our clients. We were already able to negotiate a move in date that fit our clients perfectly in terms of how late they wanted to close As a developer, unlike a buying from a single homeowner that might have a specific date they need to close on for their own move, a Developer doesn't mind if we pick our exact date. Once they have the start the process of homeowner's moving in the schedule becomes the benefit of the buyer. We are so very excited to be at this stage of the SPIRE move in process.
The time is now! If you would like a private tour of SPIRE or to learn about our favorite floor plans and available inventory at SPIRE please contact New Era Realty. In the meantime we will keep you posted.
So “WHO” exactly is the typical Four Seasons Denver resident? Recently John and I took a behind-the-scenes look at one of Denver’s hottest new loft and condo projects after posting several articles about the building during its construction phase. We wondered how has this over-the-top building (the Four Seasons chain of residences and hotels redefine the meaning of elegant) has been so successful with little to no marketing in the Denver area (well, except for the occasional article in the Denver Post and Denver Business Journal)! With sales prices at $1000 per square foot, the Four Seasons Denver condos appeal to only the most discerning, highly qualified buyers. Those buyers are still aplenty, with over 50% of the available 102 residences sold to date. Looking for the cheapest loft or condo in the Denver Four Seasons? That would be 964 square feet of living space including one bedroom, one bathroom and parking for a cool price tag of $895,000. If you want a two bedroom, 1800 square foot loft or condo with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and 2 parking spaces, you will need to shell out $1.7 million George Washington’s. To some downtown Denver loft and condo dwellers this may seem like a high price tag, but we disagree!
So let’s play out a day in the life of “Bob” the new homeowner at Four Seasons Denver... Bob just happens to be a Denver native (75% of Four Seasons Denver loft and condo residents are from the Denver area). With his kids recently leaving the nest, he no longer needed his 6000 square foot home in Castle Pines Village (that’s a lot of upkeep!). He also finds himself spending more time in downtown Denver because of its social and particularly affluent culture. With the Denver Theater District and countless other nearby attractions, he felt that Four Seasons Denver had one of the most attractive locations in central Denver. Of course Bob may be an empty nester now, but let’s say he also happens to be a corporate attorney for one of the largest companies in the U.S. Bob’s calendar looks like a war zone and he travels 25 weeks out of the year. So here is where Bob sees every penny of value in the Four Seasons lofts and condos:
Bob rises out of bed at 5 AM sharp on Monday morning (after finally taking a well-deserved Sunday off). Bob flips on the TV to MSNBC (all cable and telecom providers are represented at Denver Four Seasons, unlike most buildings in the area) and hops in the shower. This isn’t just ANY shower though and it isn’t located in an average bathroom either! Bob was able to choose from several “themes” for his Denver loft including Traditional, Avant Garde and Modern Classic designs that include everything from French vanilla and rich cherry tones, to tumbled marble and glass mosaics. Modern classic suits Bob well. As Bob turns off the shower, the door bell rings and a gourmet breakfast and the local newspaper are whisked in the door (Bob remembered to order room service the night before). Being a typical spectacular day in beautiful Denver, Colorado, Bob decides to eat breakfast on his 600 square foot balcony (that’s larger than a 2 car garage). The unobstructed, sweeping views of the Rocky Mountains and downtown Denver remind Bob of one of many reasons why he calls his Four Seasons Denver loft his new home. After Bob enjoys his last fresh strawberry, Bob heads down to the world-class fitness center at 6 AM and meets with one of several onsite personal trainers for his morning workout. The fitness center is open exclusively to Four Seasons Denver loft and condo residents only, so Bob never has a problem getting his jog in on the treadmill. Since Bob is a little bit sore from his workout, he decides to head to the Spa for a quick massage and soak in the hot tub (he saves taking a few laps in the year-round outdoor heated pool for another day). At 7:30 AM Bob arrives back at his Four Seasons condo and not only has his bed been made, but his dry cleaning is neatly draped on it. A quick check of email and Bob is out the door by 8 AM. Of course Bob has to catch a flight to Aspen in about an hour (his company knows the right places to hold their meetings!) and he is running late. Fortunately Bob rang the valet already and his Ferrari Spyder is waiting at the front door of Four Seasons Denver as he steps out of the elevator. Did I mention Bob has good tastes? Bob flies to Aspen, oversees the negotiations for the release of the new drug that cures hair loss in men (this is the real deal!), and returns to Denver at 8 PM. Unfortunately Bob is just too worn out to keep his reservation at the steakhouse in the Four Seasons Denver; it’s been a long day! However, knowing Bob’s constantly hectic schedule, the concierge (with an average of over 20 years experience working for the Four Seasons) has already made arrangements with the resident chef to prepare dinner for Bob when he returns to his condo. Chef prepares one of the most amazing meals Bob has ever eaten. Bob never knew the power of the commercial-grade appliances in his Four Seasons Denver condo! Bob enjoys every bite of this well-deserved meal as he watches the sun set over the Rockies. 10 PM arrives much too quickly, again. Bob barely has the energy to throw on his freshly laundered pajamas and crawl into his turned-down bed …with 1 Godiva chocolate neatly placed on his pillow. Many of us can only dream of something that is Bob’s reality…
As we have learned and seen with our own eyes, the Four Seasons Denver is a special place to call home. Bob and the other first residents will be moving in this June and July. With only half of the units remaining, now is the time for the discerning Denver loft or condo dweller to consider this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Please contact us today to arrange your private tour of these fabulous residences! If you wish to ring us directly to schedule a tour, you can reach Brian Lehnerz at 303.521.6262 or John Stegner 303.522.776. As the owners of New Era Realty, we promise to provide red carpet service from start to finish!