About a month ago, I spent a weekend looking at EVERYTHING available for sale, from Union Hill, to Crown Center, to the Crossroads, to Downtown, and finally the Rivermarket. I posted my summary on the KCRag.com forum, but figured it’s worth a report here. Hope the information is useful.

I’m currently renting downtown and am finally read to buy a place. So after going around with my real estate agent all day yesterday, looking at everything available (and I emphasize everything) in the $175k-$225k range, here’s my report essentially on the state of what’s available out there downtown in that price range. Half of these were resales, half were developer sales.

21Ten – Super cool building, the rooftop patio is amazing. Even the small units look big because the layouts were pretty intelligently designed. Great location across the street from the library. Only problem is the building isn’t tax abated and the parking is rented in a garage catty-corner to the building.

523 Grand – Huge spaces at a great price, and it seems like the developer knows what he’s doing. Deeded underground parking is a big bonus here. Hardwood flooring options, really cool appliance package. If you have a little bit of vision on how to design your space. Resale should be good too as it’s a unique building and “unique” in a good way means “features” when selling.

The Liberty – Still early on in this project, and I don’t think they’ve taken more than one or two reservations. The only units that were affordable were facing south, meaning I stare right into the IRS building (which I think is ugly as hell). The open layouts give someone with the creativity a good canvas to work with, but I just think it’s a bit too pricey for what you get.

Riverbend Lofts – Reminds me of a Library Lofts type project in that it is community-centric. Large party room, large fitness center. Decent price for the size, and the interior design (layout, cabinetry, granite countertops) look great. There’s only a few units left, so in a few weeks it will probably be resales only. This strikes me as a great place for mid to late-20s who like to be social and entertain. Bad part is that while the parking is deeded, it is uncovered. The model is really cool looking, so pop in there and look sometime.

Santa Fe Place – Probably great for someone looking for more of the apartment style look. Good prices for the size, but it’s not my taste at all. Just kinda reminds me of a grandma’s apartment. There is one unit there that won some design awards and is super cool. But all the others as I said, look like grandma’s place.

Battery Lofts – Nice area, good size at the price. Not really any amenities at all. Uncovered parking. It didn’t quite wow me, cause the layout is similar to a downtown rectangle loft. Just didn’t have the urban feel I was looking for.

Union Hill – Looked at two houses. One at $130k, decent size (~900 sq. feet) but the interior is so outdated it would have to be gutted. If someone has a spare $30 grand lying around and wants a super cool flip project, this would be it. If you could buy this at $110k (which is possible), invest $30-$40 into it with a modern look, someone like me would pay in the (160-170 range). Everything else in that area (larger units though) sell in the $200s. Another unit I looked at was a super cool two bedroom. Hardwood floors throughout, a little backyard, cool tile kitchen & tile shower. It’s a really cool two level two bed place, but just not quite my style. It would be perfect for a young couple.

Freighthouse Lofts – Another Embassy Properties (Soho, Library, Atriums, etc…) rental to condo conversion. I’m sick of their projects. They all look exactly the same, and all use the exact same cheap crap. Price-wise (low-200s), this would be a pretty bad deal in my opinion.

Western Auto – This was my first time seeing the inside, and I love it. Only problem was the one unit available just didn’t do it for me size & price-wise. Interior & common areas look great. Love the hardwood and the balconies. The fireplaces (they come standard) are a great touch. If anything does become available in my range, I’ll be there in a second to view it.

Freighthouse Flats – Way out of my price-range (300-500), but the developer wanted my input on them anyway. Because it’s out of my price range, I can’t comment on how good of a deal they are since I hadn’t seen anything to compare it too. So… price-aside, these are insanely cool units. Most are two level traditional “lofts”. The kitchens, bathrooms, and lighting are all amazing, which shows they paid attention to the small details. Even if these are in your price-point, just go see them to get some inspiration on how to design your own space. With whatever I end up with, I’d love to steal some of their ideas design-wise.

Soho Lofts – Embassy Properties, bleh. You know what they look like. Good price for the size though. Getting to the Gaslight expansion building was like a maze though

Coffeehouse Lofts – IMO, way better than Soho, same price-point too. Same Embassy Properties look though. The thing that really scares me about buying an EP unit is the noise levels between units. I live in one now and there is zero sound proofing between units, so I can hear phone conversations in the unit next to me. It’s fine renting, because well… I’m renting, but would hate to buy a place with those kind of problems.

Cherry Hill Rowhomes – Prices are $155 for 1 bed, and $255 for a two bed. It’s still under construction, so maybe it will turn out different than what I have in my mind. But I wasn’t impressed at all. I just don’t think the Gilham Row area is quite for me. I like the area, but I just haven’t seen any units that I really like.

Well, that’s it for round 1. It was pretty much just a day to get a feel for what is available out there, and find out what is my taste and what isn’t. I’ve pretty much scratched anything Embassy Properties off my list.

The Good:
Riverbend Lofts
523 Grand
21Ten
Union Hill townhomes
Western Auto
Battery Lofts

Amazingly, I went into this adventure thinking the place I’d want to live most was Union Hill, and the least place would be the River Market, but it turned out to be completely opposite. I pretty much scratched Union Hill off my list based on what is available and am now looking at the River Market as the likely winner.

If you want any further details on specific buildings, feel free to ask. Also, I’d love input from anyone who lives in one of my “keepers.”

See the Downtown KC Projects page for links to many of the places mentioned above.

Oh, and since tomorrow is signing day for the contract on my new loft, if anyone can guess correctly which building I ended up picking, I’ll give you a 1996 Chiefs Media guide signed by Elvis Grbac. (I’m sure I’ll throw away during the move anyways)