Can "Dense Urban Living" be affordable?

[sgrizzle]

I would think many looking at this option wouldn't do much interior framing, just leave it basically open. Toilet, freestanding tub, sink, fridge, microwave.

[USRufnex]

quote:Originally posted by mlofts

So i have a question:

How much would one of you think is fair for say a downtown (or very close to downtown) empty shell unit?  Say 1000 sq ft, you finish the inside.  First realize that getting financing for this would be difficult so lets just say i carry all but 10% down payment...and you do the improvements.  Say the building already has electric, HVAC, plumbing etc.  It has no sheetrock on the walls, no interior framing and location is considered better than fair.

I live in a 1000 sq ft south Tulsa condo right now.

If I could move it over to 17th and St Louis or within a few blocks of there, I would do it in a heartbeat.  Heck, I'd be happy as a clam to take a small condo from Royal Oaks on S. Lewis and move it up to that area... I'm not that picky, but think some of these new construction "luxury exteriors" off Cherry Street look tackier than "cardboard and glue construction."

I seriously doubt most people I live around have the spare time and expertise for a place that doesn't have "sheetrock on the walls" or "interior framing"...

I suppose $65k-$75k may be okay for that, but I assume that means I'd have to sock away a higher downpayment than I could in other areas of the city plus the thousands and thousands of dollars I'd have to pony up to finish the condo....... if I wanted something I'd have to finish myself, I'd get an older home off Kendall-Whittier...

Thanks, but no thanks.

I'm looking at very low price ranges right now, partially because the Cherry Street area seems to be an exercise in extremes..... $300k for something far too big with awkward parking-- odd garages on the side of the bldg with no parking off the alleyway?... I mean, if I had the $300k for a home, then I'd either get a real Tulsa house with a yard or move back to a lakeshore condo in Chicago... then there's $30k for something smallish (750 sq ft 2bdr) and older...

For new construction, is there a reason why there are nice relatively new condos off 91st & Delaware but nothing resembling this kind of construction and price point in the Cherry St area?... I'd be willing to sacrifice a fireplace and maybe even a patio/balcony and would likely be willing to pay more for the privilege..... and I know many other professional folks (medical & call center), young couples with one or two children, empty nesters, singles, retirees, etc etc etc who would respond if given the option...

Let's see.... it'd be a nice thing to see 800 sq ft to 1300 sq ft condos in prices ranging from $85k to $145k.... sheetrock on the walls, interior framing, but otherwise basic... what ever happened to simple, inexpensive "eurostyle kitchens"???  IKEA has some pretty cheap stuff to contrast all the overpriced items....

And why must all new urban construction devolve into an exercise in gentrification requiring a government subsidy???

[Double A]

quote:Originally posted by USRufnex

quote:Originally posted by mlofts

So i have a question:

How much would one of you think is fair for say a downtown (or very close to downtown) empty shell unit?  Say 1000 sq ft, you finish the inside.  First realize that getting financing for this would be difficult so lets just say i carry all but 10% down payment...and you do the improvements.  Say the building already has electric, HVAC, plumbing etc.  It has no sheetrock on the walls, no interior framing and location is considered better than fair.

I live in a 1000 sq ft south Tulsa condo right now.

If I could move it over to 17th and St Louis or within a few blocks of there, I would do it in a heartbeat.  Heck, I'd be happy as a clam to take a small condo from Royal Oaks on S. Lewis and move it up to that area... I'm not that picky, but think some of these new construction "luxury exteriors" off Cherry Street look tackier than "cardboard and glue construction."

I seriously doubt most people I live around have the spare time and expertise for a place that doesn't have "sheetrock on the walls" or "interior framing"...

I suppose $65k-$75k may be okay for that, but I assume that means I'd have to sock away a higher downpayment than I could in other areas of the city plus the thousands and thousands of dollars I'd have to pony up to finish the condo....... if I wanted something I'd have to finish myself, I'd get an older home off Kendall-Whittier...

Thanks, but no thanks.

I'm looking at very low price ranges right now, partially because the Cherry Street area seems to be an exercise in extremes..... $300k for something far too big with awkward parking-- odd garages on the side of the bldg with no parking off the alleyway?... I mean, if I had the $300k for a home, then I'd get a real house with a yard or move back to a lakeshore condo in Chicago... then there's $30k for something smallish (750 sq ft 2bdr) and older...

For new construction, is there a reason why there are nice relatively new condos off 91st & Delaware but nothing resembling this kind of construction and price point in the Cherry St area?... I'd be willing to sacrifice a fireplace and maybe even a patio/balcony and would likely be willing to pay more for the privilege..... and I know many other professional folks (medical & call center), young couples with one or two children, empty nesters, singles, retirees, etc etc etc who would respond if given the option...

Let's see.... it'd be a nice thing to see 800 sq ft to 1300 sq ft condos in prices ranging from $85k to $145k.... sheetrock on the walls, interior framing, but otherwise basic... what ever happened to simple, inexpensive "eurostyle kitchens"???

And why must all new urban construction evolve into an exercise in gentrification that requires a government subsidy???



 

They aren't built safely or worth a s*#t either. OSHA should get out to some of those jobsites and start fining these contractors for the unsafe stick built scaffolds they are using. There is a large photo of one of these unsafe scaffolds in the Sept 25-Oct 1 Urban Tulsa Weekly cover puff piece titled Lofty Aspirations. It's too bad the picture isn't available in the online version, only the printed version. I'd love to post it here.

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by Double A


They aren't built safely or worth a s*#t either. OSHA should get out to some of those jobsites and start fining these contractors for the unsafe stick built scaffolds they are using. There is a large photo of one of these unsafe scaffolds in the Sept 25-Oct 1 Urban Tulsa Weekly cover puff piece titled Lofty Aspirations. It's too bad the picture isn't available in the online version, only the printed version. I'd love to post it here.

I'll let you know where to send the Thank You card...

[carltonplace]

quote:Originally posted by Double A

Don't forget the most disgusting thing about the lofts downtown IMO, many of them are taxpayer subsidized luxury lofts.

I don't think that is entirely true since the V2025 funds are seed money (to help secure bank loans) that must be paid back to the V2025 fund. The taxpayers are lending money to the projects not subsidizing them. Once the funds are paid back, there should be another round of applications.