The Marlborough Update

After rolling out Queen's Court, the Pittsburgh, Nord and Betsy Ross, Live Historic launched their 5th conversion projects, the Marlborough yesterday.  This time the project is on First Hill.

Earlier yesterday before the launch party, workers were busy cleaning up the place and finishing last minute touch ups to the lobby while stagers were prepping the model units.  The vintage charms were evident from the Marlborough seals on the lobby windows, old school mail boxes, crown molding, original french doors, coffered ceilings, and arched windows.

According to Ben Rankin, Principal of Pioneer Property Group, a handful of the units are sold and they are retaining the rest of the inventory for the launch party. The building has been extensively remodeled including new wiring, plumbing, electrical, refinishing of hardwood floors, and replicating of some of the vintage details.  The main envelope work includes the new roof, windows, and cleaning and repairing of the terra cotta carvings.

 

Fact Sheet

Floor plans:
-22 studios
-50 one bedrooms
-6 two-bedrooms
-2 three-bedrooms
-2 large penthouse (with 900 square-foot private terraces and wood burning fireplaces)

Square footage:
516-2,184

Pricing:
-Studios $200,000's
-One bedrooms $300,000's to $500,000's
-Two bedrooms, three bedrooms and penthouse prices are not finalized yet

Parking:
-Two years free off-site parking for most homes
-54 covered spaces (upon request $35,000/spot)

Homeowner Dues:
Average $391/month

Completion date:
Approx. end of June

Amenities:
Concierge, garden deck, lobby, laundry room and guest suite

Sales center hour:
12.00pm-6.00pm (Thursday through Monday)
1224 Boren Ave (First Hill)

I took the liberty of asking a few questions about the project.  Here's what he said.

"How did the developer decide on picking the Marlborough House as its 5th conversion project?"

We have not done any projects in First Hill and the Marlborough House is one of the few high rises in the city that is not a condominium. We also pick buildings that we think needed some help with restorations. Marlborough was also picked for its solid structure, vintage charm, and great location.

"With high inventory and the tightening credit market, how are you going to convince buyers sitting on the fence to take the first step and consider the Marlborough House?"

We are still seeing a consistent stream of buyers interested in our project. They are taking a little bit longer to decide and there is not as much impulse buying as there used to be. Our project is also targeting a very niche market. Home buyers who are looking for a vintage condo, a place to live in without sacrificing comfort and convenience. Part of our mission is to restore buildings so that they can have longer use in the future. That is why we are spending a great amount of effort updating important systems and adding modern conveniences while retaining historic flair and character in this classic building. We hope that home buyers will see that and think of us when they are thinking of buying a vintage condo.

How is the Marlborough House different from Decatur?

The Marlborough has a nice contrast to the Decatur, its vintage architecture design, details and the amount of work we have done restoring the building is a big plus. In terms of price per square foot, we are a little higher than Decatur but we offer multiple color schemes, better amenities and more interior refurbishing.

Here are a few of my personal observations of the building:

• Pretty grand lobby for a conversion project
• Nice blend of vintage details with modern days finishes (stainless steel appliances, slab counter tops etc..).
• Small kitchen with 2-in-1 washer and dryer in some of the units. In some floor plans, smaller bedrooms may be a challenge to accommodate large furniture pieces.
• Great color schemes, however, they are pre-determined for each unit.

-Wendy

Comments

[intrigued]

sounds really cool. my only concern is the kitchens -- not sure they're big enough for my cooking needs.

[Toured the Marlborough...]

I toured these condo's last weekend. Let me be the first to say that I was less than impressed. While their lobby had nice original touches, the actual units were by no means worth the price. The kitchen appliances were TINY and not practical in the least. The bedrooms were not big enough for a queen bed. The developer left the original plaster walls that were cracked and bowed. Worst of all, when the HOA takes over the building will NOT have earthquake insurance! The Marlborough is a brick building folks - not pretty in an earthquake. Before buying here, I would do some serious research about the strength of 13 story wood and brick building.

[Loyal Reader]

After seeing the Marlborough, I agree that the quality is highly questionable, as has been in MANY of Live Historic's other buildings. Cracked plaster, poor finishes, and the 2 in 1 washer and dryers (look up the reviews) are notoriously faulty machines.

It's a great building, but look before you leap...

[c]

The units on the N side have big bedrooms. It's a rare chance to get the aesthetic of an older bldg plus covered parking (if you buy a stall) and in-unit laundry of *any* kind, though I'd rather have a conventional W/D in a closet and not be schlepping laundry through the kitchen.

Any substantiation of the accusations against other LH bldgs?

Re kitchens, yeah, I have yet to run across a kitchen in any potential condo seriously designed for more than making breakfast. At least in older bldgs like this the kitchen is a separate little workshop. In the newer bldgs it's just one end of the main room. If you're not cooking, then the gleaming steel and polished granite look lovely, but if you do any real cooking ...