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The Private Residences at the Chase Park Plaza

Filed under: Real Estate Developments


The Private Residences at the Chase Park Plaza in St. Louis, Missouri are now complete. These 86 custom-designed luxury condominiums are St. Louis' first living spaces atop a world-class hotel and are in a landmark building that's listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The project took four years and cost $80 million. Many units contain fireplaces, coffered ceilings, and private terraces overlooking the Central West End, Forest Park, and downtown St. Louis.

Amenities include the new Garden Terrace on the third floor rooftop, with an outdoor fireplace, two large gas grills, a dog-walking area, and a community garden that is shared by all residents. Other amenities are the Savoy Room gathering area, membership to Santé Fitness & Wellness, the on-site health club, 24-hour valet and security and private concierge services as well as access to The Chase Hotel's heated swimming pool, five-screen movie theater, salon and spa, five restaurants, catering, and housekeeping services.

Floors nine through 26 contain one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom condominiums ranging from 1,200 to 4,200 square feet. Floor 27 contains the 7,000-square-foot penthouse, the highest living space available in a St. Louis landmark. Prices range from $499,000 to $4.5 million.

Houston Area Condos Up For Auction

Filed under: Real Estate Developments


Some of the Houston area's most expensive luxury condos are set to go up for auction next month. Wonmore Ltd. will sell all 35 of its remaining Endeavour Clear Lake residences on August 21, 2010 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Houston. Units that have been listed from $450,000 to $3,500,000 will be priced at auction from $200,000 to $1,500,000.

The 30-story condominium tower was designed by Houston-based EDI Architects and completed in 2007. It was created with a unique lighting system that can make it look like it is glowing from inside. The LED light system is capable of producing many different color combinations. The lights on the building went out in 2008 when the original developer went in bankruptcy but Wonmore brought the lighting back and held a special light show last month to celebrate the relaunch of the building. Wonmore bought the remaining 44 condos in the building last year and spent $2 million on renovations and upgrades.

The building has a total of 80 units ranging between 1,278 and 7,533 square feet. The development has views over Clear Lake and the Gulf of Mexico and amenities include an infinity-edge pool and private boat slips. Inside the building there is a fitness center, private movie theater, indoor resistance pool, sauna, library, a residents' business center and indoor parking. Units have tall 12-foot ceilings, walk-in closets and balconies and terraces.

The Floridian Hopes For Quick Condo Sales

Filed under: Real Estate Developments

A press release brings a quick update on The Floridian, a condo building near Howard University in Washington D.C. Last we heard in December, the 118-unit building was facing foreclosure. Now UrbanLand Company has announced it will begin selling the remaining 86 condos at The Floridian in the next 30 to 60 days. The building was recently acquired by an affiliate of The Goldstar Group, a Bethesda-based private real estate investment and management company.

The new pricing has studios starting at $227,000 and prices top out at a three-bedroom penthouse for $1 million. Originally prices for the loft style condos started in the low $300,000s. The Floridian is two eight-story towers, made of stainless steel, colored glass and limestone with10-foot exposed concrete ceilings, exposed ductwork, floor-to-ceiling windows, granite countertops, maple and bamboo floors, designer lighting and balconies in select units. The community also has underground parking and a shared rooftop terrace with sweeping views of the Capitol, the Washington Monument and the National Cathedral. The development is FHA approved, "so down payments as low as 3.5 percent are possible."

Evo South Condo Development

Filed under: Real Estate Developments

The South Park area of Los Angeles has been booming lately. The area is the site of the Los Angeles Convention Center, the Staples Center and the "L.A. Live" project. This summer the big news was that a major grocery store returned to the area, signaling the growing residential contingent. EVO is a high-rise residence building in the neighborhood and is the only LEED certified high rise residence in L.A. The property includes a pool and sun terrace, fitness studio and rooftop entertainment lounge with an outdoor fireplace. Many units have beautiful horizon and city views. The building also has concierge service, a 24-hour lobby attendant and four levels of secure parking.

The last of Evo's sale-priced residences went on sale earlier this month starting in the mid $300,000s. Generally the condominiums are priced from the low-$400,000s to $3.7 million and range from 730 to over 3,500 square feet. Residences feature hardwood floors and wood cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, large, operable windows, decks, Juliet balconies and walk-in closets

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Gallery: EVO-South

Imperial Axis, Beijing's Mysterious New Condo Project

Filed under: Real Estate Developments


As China booms, Beijing's real estate market has followed and high-end real estate development projects are emerging. Imperial Axis is a luxury project planned for the downtown area. Billed as a "royal dwelling place of the world," is located opposite the Bell and Drum Tower and overlooks the Jing Mountain. It is said to offer 360-degree views of the surrounding area. There will be just 30 units with top-level appliances and finishes. Not too much is known about the property but the units may command some of the top prices in Beijing and are designed to appeal to an international clientele.

Denver Spire Project Readies For Move In

Filed under: Real Estate Developments

denver spireThe Chicago Spire project may be floundering but Denver's Spire is nearing completion. The 42-story Spire condo tower in downtown Denver has seen many people put down deposits for the units. The developers are offering a $35,000 credit that can be put toward the purchase price or used to buy appliance upgrades, parking or extra storage. Prices start in the low $200,000s and go up to $1 million-plus for premium residences. The more expensive units are located in the SkyClub area on the top 10 floors as well as on the ninth floor where the exercise facility, pools, hot tubs, media room and sports bar are located. Most units have outdoor decks. The $175 million project should be ready for move in by the end of next month. The project is pursuing LEED certification and will get 100 percent of its energy from wind. A sustainable dry cleaner and a Hertz rental car facility with hybrid cars such as Toyota Priuses will be onsite.

Major Charlotte Construction Project Stalled

Filed under: Real Estate Developments

charlotte vueAnother condo project has stalled out. This one is in Charlotte, North Carolina. The VUE Charlotte is a 51-story uptown condo tower that recently stopped construction because the developer hasn't been paying the bills. The Charlotte Observer has an email to subcontractors from contractor R.J. Griffin & Co.'s senior project manager that says that Griffin had not been paid for work done in July and asks subcontractors to stop work. The $275-million-plus project is just one of many high-rise projects which sprouted up in uptown Charlotte over the past couple of years. Of around 20 projects announced only half a dozen have been completed others, have either been scrapped or halted mid-construction.

The developer says that between 55 and 60 percent of the tower's 409 units are under contract. Purchasers were expected to move in next summer. The building has a fitness area, wine cellar and an outdoor deck with a pool tennis court and dog-walking area. Units have been listed for between $319,000 and to over $2 million. The company must be pretty confident that the situation will be worked out. It is still planning a topping out party in September.

UPDATE: Debts have been paid and construction is set to resume on the project.

One River Plaza, Cincinnati Condo Project Heads For Construction

Filed under: Estates


For a while the Cincinnati, Ohio market was hot, with projects by several name architects being created. Then, in 2006 as condo developments faced problems, we heard news of a slowdown. But perhaps things are set to look up with the imminent construction of One River Plaza, a nearly $150 million project. The Enquirer reports that preconstruction sales on the project have been strong with 28 condos of the potential 150 available already having been sold. The condos sell in the $550,000 to $2 million range.

The project will be built in two phases, a 14-story tower with at least 80 condos and a nine or 10-story condo with 70 condos. The first tower was originally only set to be 12 stories but demands for the penthouses with river and city views prompted an expansion. The towers will include two riverview restaurants, a shared outdoor terrace and amenities that include guest suites, a party room, a doorman and a fitness center. Construction will take 18 months and will start once the project meets a pre-sell mark of $35 million to $36 million.

Rotating Tower Planned For Dubai

Filed under: Estates

The latest real estate treat in Dubai is a tower with rotating penthouses. The new tower is planned for Jumeirah Village South area and has 72 units. Five of the 15 stories will rotate and the speed can be selected by the resident. If the towers go over well then the plan is to build more rotating towers in the region. A Saudi prince has already placed a bid for the single villa built at the peak of the tower, which also rotates and has its own car lift and three parking spaces. Construction should start next month and will be completed in 2008.

485 Fifth Avenue

Filed under: Estates

More and more fashion designers are turning their hand to creating luxury condos. Peter Som is a fashion show darling who's simple and elegant designs have won rave reviews. Turns out the Som is the son of two architects and now he is part of the 485 Fifth Avenue project which is located at Bryant Park in New York City. The building is the former location of Tommy Hilfiger's offices. Details of the interiors include wide plank Brazilian cherry wood floors, ultra-high ceilings and oversized bathrooms. The building has a private resident's club that includes a fitness room, an entertainment lounge with a screening room, a wine cellar, and the services of noted hostess Serena Bass to help you plan your events.  The complex officially launched during New York Fashion Week and as we noted earlier, Braden Keil of the NY Post reported that Salman Rushdie and his wife Padma Lakshmi were spotted looking at the building in March.

The Tower at Carnegie Abbey

Filed under: Estates

A project in Portsmouth, Rhode Island will ring in a new era of luxury living for the town near Newport, once the summer home of some of America's richest and still an excellent place to while away the summer. The Tower at Carnegie Abbey will have 80 condos in the 220-foot-tall tower. The tower is part of the $220 million Carnegie Harbor Village complex which includes the Carnegie Abbey golf course and sporting club. The tower has views of Narragansett Bay and will have 24-hour concierge service, a fitness center and spa. The interiors are designed by Ralph Lauren Home and the building is expected to be a second home for wealthy tenants. At the base of the tower there are 21 Royal Cottages, which are townhouses selling for $2 to $3 million and 35 waterfront estate lots have been sold. The units in the tower range from $695,000 to $7 million for the penthouse. Around half of the units have already been sold and occupancy is expected for next year.

[via The Newport Daily News]

Yet Another Vegas Condo Project in Trouble

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Another Vegas condo is in trouble.The latest luxury condominium project with a tale of woe is the Curve project. According to the Associated Press, nearly 100 buyers got a note offering to either refund their money or extend their contracts by 150 days. The off-Strip Curve was pitched as a mini-suburbia of condo towers and commercial buildings. Construction was supposed to begin at the tail end of last year. Developers had originally planned to sell 75 percent of the units before the start of construction but have only sold a little over half of the condos thus far.  Apartments at the $300 million complex started at $385,000. The developers say they are still looking forward to building the project and just need to regroup but the Curve's website says the project has been suspended.

Vegas Grand Condos Begin Construction

Filed under: Estates

More condos in Vegas? While some of the large tower projects have disappeared, developers still believe the market will hold for smaller condo projects that offer community rather than glitz. Construction has begun on Vegas Grand which is a collection of luxury condo buildings with Italian names like Bella Venezia, the first building which will go up on Flamingo and Swenson. Construction is expected to completed on phase one in May 2007.Bella Venezia and three additional collections, including Villa d'Este, Anacapri and Villaggio will offer buyers a choice of  30 one, two and three-bedroom floor plans from 650sf to 2,400sf.  Two large amenity decks will feature party pavilions, swimming pools, sundecks and waterfalls. Residents will also have access to a concierge and the complex will include a spa, grocery store, cafe, and esplanade and a piazza with a fountain. 

Mandarin Oriental Tower, Chicago Announced

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Chicago will get another big tower. Mandarin Oriental has announced a 65-story co-tel. The Mandarin Oriental Tower, Chicago will have 500 units in a tall glass structure that will also have restaurants, shops and a 40,000 square-foot health club and spa. The tower will have 250 guest rooms and suites, 100 Residences at Mandarin Oriental which will be on floors 32 through 45 and start at 1,600-square-feet and include a full kitchen. Above that are 150 Tower Condominiums which have their own concierge service, valet parking and access to the hotel's spa and restaurants. Prices start from $500,000 to over $10 million. Completion is planned for spring 2009. Between this and the Fordham Spire, Chicago's skyline is going to be a whole lot flashier in a few years.

More Real Estate Woes for Ivana Trump

Filed under: Estates

More bad news for Ivana Trump? First we heard that her Ivana Great Barrier Reef project was in trouble, now Page Six says her Vegas project isn’t looking so hot either.  Her ambitious 80-story Las Vegas tower that would have been the largest project in Vegas may be a failure. Her co-developers  aren’t selling units anymore and the site is on the market for $49 million. Perhaps the Donald’s ex should stick to selling products on QVC.

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