Posts Tagged ‘Condos’

The Tower Residences at the Ritz-Carlton Unveil Designer Showcase Home

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

To get a really good idea of the opulence that awaits you at the Tower Residences of the Ritz-Carlton you must be able to envision what a home may look like if it were furnished.

Problem solved.

The first designer-furnished showcase home has been recently unveiled at the Tower Residences at the Ritz-Carlton, thereby providing brokers, real estate professionals and potential homeowners with the opportunity to view the luxury of this magnificent condominium building and its equally impressive residences.

The showcase home of the Tower Residences features interior design and furnishings by Robb & Stucky Interiors of Dallas and Plano. The interior of the showcase home includes two bedrooms, a chef’s kitchen and a study. The home is equipped with a terrace, high-end appliances and premium finishes.

About the Tower Residences

The Tower Residences which, along with the hotel, have become Uptown Dallas’ pride and joy, have recently been completed. Located along Pearl Street, these condominium residences are a testament to the upscale living found in Uptown Dallas condos.

The Tower Residences boast 95 condominium homes, all of which feature sweeping views, upscale amenities and superb services, consist of one, two and three-bedroom homes.

There are currently just 30 condominium homes remaining at the Tower Residences, thereby adding to the overall success of this condominium building. The first phase of the project, which was completed in 2007, sold out quickly, as well.

Building and Resident Amenities Abound

Just some of the amenities afforded to the residents of the Tower Residences include private grounds, private gardens, a swimming pool, a whirlpool and an outdoor fireplace. A private wine tasting room, a wine cellar, a private dining room with a fully equipped catering kitchen, and underground parking are also granted to the residents of this prestigious address.

Residents also have full access to the fabulous amenities and services of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, via an exclusive, pedestrian skyway.

Downtown Dallas Condo HOA Fees: What you Need to Know

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

If you are considering a move into one of the fabulous Downtown Dallas condos, you will likely encounter HOA fees. Your HOA fees are perhaps just as important as the sales price of your condo, so it is imperative to have a full understanding of what they are and what they entail.

What are HOA fees?

Homeowners Association fees, better known as HOA fees, are fees that are collected from homeowners of a condominium complex. These fees may be collected on a monthly, weekly or annual basis, depending on the downtown Dallas condo in which you reside.

What do HOA fees cover?

One of the reasons why it is so important to do your homework regarding the HOA fees for the condominium building in which you want to reside is because they can cover a wide variety of expenses. Typically, however, HOA fees cover the master insurance, the exterior and interior maintenance, landscaping, water, sewage, and refuse costs.

They may also pay for amenities and services of the downtown Dallas condo building in which you live, including a swimming pool, a party room, valet service, concierge service, and a fitness center, just to name a few.

How are HOA fees determined?

HOA fees are generally determined by the building’s board or directors and often re-evaluated on a yearly basis.

How are HOA fees paid?

HOA fees are generally paid through your mortgage payments, thereby making the process of tending to these payments hassle-free.

Do HOA fees cover large repairs on the building?

Generally not. You may also be expected to pay for “special assessments” when unexpected communal expenses arise. This may include replacing the roof, for example.

Paying for HOA fees may have a large impact on your overall housing budget, so it is important to understand what you will be paying in HOA fees every month, and to also be aware that these fees can increase – often significantly – during the time you are residing in the home.

HOA fees can range anywhere from a couple hundred dollars to more than $500 per month, depending on the downtown Dallas condo building, so keep these fees in mind when you are shopping for your next condominium home.

Professional Living at its Finest in Oak Lawn

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009

Oak Lawn is a popular destination for many Dallas professionals that desire convenient, maintenance-free living. It is because of this that many condos, apartments, townhomes and duplexes can be found throughout Oak Lawn.

There are plenty of newer, high-rise condos available in Oak Lawn, particularly along the Uptown section, near McKinney Avenue and Turtle Creek Boulevard. In addition, there is a nice variety of older, single-family homes in Oak Lawn.

Oak Lawn, in addition to being highly desired among Dallas professionals, is also known for its eclectic entertainment scene, with many bars and nightclubs attracting visitors to this hip and trendy area of Dallas. In addition, Oak Lawn also features Love Field, which has been the epicenter of the gay community in Dallas for well over 35 years.

The commute in and out of Oak Lawn to the city is quite effortless, enabling residents to get into town in just a few minutes. A convenient location to the Dallas North Tollway also makes it a breeze to get to points further north.

A High Quality of Life is Offered Here

In a recent survey of the most walkable neighborhoods in Dallas, Oak Lawn came in at an impressive second place. In addition, the cost of living in Oak Lawn is considerably less than other areas of the city, yet it is located closer to downtown Dallas than many of the other, pricier neighborhoods.

Oak Lawn is also overseen by the Oak Lawn Committee, the area’s neighborhood association. Members of this organization all have a common goal of advancing the Oak Lawn community and addressing neighborhood issues.

Oak Lawn also boasts its share of beautiful, historic buildings, including the famous Warwick Melrose Hotel, which was built in 1924 and now serves as a four-start, historic hotel.

Condo or Townhome: Which is Right for you?

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

You may have deteremined that owning a single-family home is not for you,

Hip, Loft Living at the Canton Street Lofts

Friday, October 9th, 2009

The location doesn’t get any better than this.

Comfortably situated in the downtown business district, near the Dallas Farmer’s Market, the Canton Street Lofts affords its residents the opportunity to park the car and walk nearly anywhere. In other words, downtown Dallas is at your disposal.

Formerly the Olive & Meyers Building, the Canton Streets Lofts once served as a manufacturing plant. However, it was transformed into the hip Canton Street Lofts, where the surroundings are so cool that it has been used to shoot several movies, commercials and documentaries. It holds the distinction of being a Dallas historic landmark.

Canton Street Lofts Amenities

The Canton Street Lofts, in addition to offering super-chic surroundings, is also well known for its four-star amenities, including a front-desk concierge, underground parking, secure building access, a state-of-the-art fitness center and a rooftop swimming pool and Jacuzzi. In addition, a jogging trail loops around the rooftop to provide residents with the coolest morning workout around.

Outstanding Residence Amenities

The spacious, open floor plans of the Canton Street Lofts provide easy living options, while the expansive windows throughout the main living areas flood the homes with plenty of natural light. Each loft residence can be configured to suit the owner’s needs, thereby allowing for the ultimate in design freedom and flexibility.

Homes in the Canton Street Lofts include one-bedroom, one-bathroom homes, and two-bedroom, two-bathroom homes, all of which range from 1,446 to 2,552 square feet and cost between $149,000 and $422,900.

The luxury, the prime location and the superb amenities all make the Canton Street Lofts a popular choice for residents of downtown Dallas. This downtown Dallas condo building easily reflects the upscale living often found throughout many of the condominium residences of downtown Dallas.

The Luxurious Lifestyle of Victory Park

Monday, September 14th, 2009

As far as master-planned communities go, Victory Park sets the bar dramatically high.

Located in the heart of Dallas, and strategically located near Uptown, Downtown, Turtle Creek and the Arts District, Victory Park has been ingeniously designed for maximum exposure to all key districts of Dallas. It also enjoys a close proximity to the American Airlines Center, the Dallas Convention Center, the Dallas Market Center and the picturesque Katy Trail.

There are loads of reasons to fall in love with Victory Park, including its decadent variety of high-end restaurants and shops, but perhaps the biggest reason for the success of Victory Park lies with its outstanding residences:

  • The W Dallas Victory Hotel and Residences – Originally completed in 2006, the W Dallas Victory Hotel and Residences was the first of its kind in Dallas. In addition to being one of Dallas’ premier landmarks, the 33-story W Dallas Victory Hotel and Residences boasts superb hotel accommodations and equally superb condominium residences. Just some of the outstanding services and amenities afforded to the residents of the W include a state-of-the-art fitness center, a zero-edge infinity pool and unbelievable views of the Dallas skyline.
  • The House – The House is a 28-story high-rise that exemplifies the high-end living found in Victory Park. A collaborative effort between world-renowned architects and designers, the House boasts such fine amenities as soaring ceilings, expansive terraces, gourmet kitchens and intelligently designed interiors.
  • The Terrace -This seven-story mid-rise features beautifully equipped and designed condominium residences, as well as impressive green spaces, rooftop decks and expansive verandas.
  • Vista Apartments -Ultra-modern styling and design are featured in the seven-story Vista Apartments, which feature leased apartments with an upscale, condominium feel.
  • Cirque – High-end rental apartments are found at Cirque, a 28-story high-rise which boasts outstanding aesthetics and richly appointed amenities.

Where is the Downtown Condo High-Rise Market Heading?

Tuesday, September 8th, 2009

Here is the problem: condominium sales in Dallas are down about 30 percent for 2009, while sales of single-family homes in Dallas are down about 20 percent.

Why the difference? Well, it lies within the fact that most downtown condos tend to be pricey -very pricey.

Tougher Financial Standards Spell Trouble

For example, the majority of downtown Dallas condos (at least 85 percent) are well above $417,000, which makes them fall into the “jumbo loan” category. And, as many of us know, jumbo loans can’t be financed through government-sponsored mortgage programs.

Tougher financial standards mean that many buyers are turning to detached homes over condominium homes. So instead of the larger down payments and higher credit scores needed to purchase a pricey downtown condo, buyers are considering other options.

A Bright Spot Lies Ahead

Here’s the bright side: now is a fantastic time to purchase a downtown Dallas high-rise!

In fact, the surplus of downtown Dallas condos means that builders and sellers are offering loads of fantastic incentives for buyers. In fact, the state of the real estate market means that now is the time to consider purchasing a high-rise condominium property in Deep Ellum, Turtle Creek, Uptown and Downtown.

Let’s face it: downtown living is unsurpassed, as it affords residents the ability to work and play in one place. Downtown Dallas is still a popular choice among young, Dallas professionals; however, many other types of buyers, including families and empty nesters, are discovering that there are great deals to be had and even greater amenities and features to be had, in one of Dallas’ outstanding high-rises.

Although the condominium high-rises in Dallas, like the Metropolitan, the Museum Tower, and One Arts Plaza, are the cr

The House by Starck and Yoo: Victory Park

Tuesday, April 14th, 2009

Outstanding, residential design meets the beauty of Victory Park in The House by Starck and Yoo.

The prime, Victory Park location is close to the Tollway, Stemmons Freeway and the DART rail station.

http://davidgriffin.com/listingimages/3279house.gif

This 28-story high-rise building boasts dramatic design and superb, panoramic views.

Dallas Ritz-Carlton Residences

Thursday, March 26th, 2009

In the midst of the doom and gloom real estate news on the Dallas front, the Ritz-Carlton Residences shine bright.

The first phase of the Tower Residences at the Ritz-Carlton quickly sold out in 2008, and home buyers are anxiously awaiting the completion of Phase II of the project. In fact, over 70 percent of the homes in Phase II are pre-sold.

At this point, the Tower Residences may be the only new, high-rise hotel residences in Dallas. Similar projects have either been suspended or canceled because of the weak national economy.

Located in the highly desirable Uptown district of Dallas, the Tower Residences will include 70 luxury homes which will feature high-end features and state-of-the-art amenities.

The Residences will boast a variety of floor plans, and will range in size from one to three bedrooms.

In addition, four, free-standing, Regency Row manor homes will be the highlight of The Residences.

Prices for the Tower Residences and the homes of Regency Row will range from $700,000 to more than $8 million.

The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas, DALLAS

Superb, Uptown Location

The Tower Residences enjoys a convenient location, as it is near the Central Business District, the Arts District, the American Airlines Center and plenty of chic restaurants, shops and clubs.

It also enjoys a close proximity to the Woodall Rodgers Freeway, Interstate 35 and US Highway 75.

Residence Amenities, Services and Features

The Residences sit atop the luxurious, 217-room Ritz-Carlton Dallas, on the building’s top 13 floors. The Residences enjoy separate, private entrances from the hotel, as well as separate elevators and parking.

The residents of the Tower Residences are afforded use of the many amenities of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, including the ballroom, the meeting rooms and the state-of-the-art fitness facility. The Tower Residences are connected to the hotel by a glass and cast stone walkway.

Other services of the Residences will include a spa, 24-hour valet service, concierge service, in-room dining and housekeeping services. Amenities will include underground parking, private storage spaces and a private swimming pool.

The Residences of the Ritz-Carlton, upon completion, will be valued at more than $300 million.

Finding a Bargain in Today

Monday, March 23rd, 2009

Dallas’ downtown condo market has seen better days. With sales down more than 25 percent in the last few months alone (compared to a 15 percent in decrease for sales of single-family homes), the downtown Dallas condo market has finally cooled off and is now showing signs of halting.

Even up until last year, condos were a hot commodity in the Dallas market, but as with all of the other types of Dallas real estate, prices have begun a free fall and empty condos are commonplace in the Dallas real estate market.

Dallas skyline

Condo Developments on Hold

In fact, many of the condo construction projects have either stopped altogether or slowed down considerably. Many condo developers have even begun switching gears, and are now renting their condo units instead of selling them.

In fact, many condo developers are forced into rental units when, after months on the market, their condos just aren’t selling.

Prime Opportunity for Buyers

Where there is challenge, there is also opportunity – for buyers, that is.

If a fabulous, downtown Dallas condo is in your sights, then this may very well be the prime opportunity you’ve been searching for.

With a plethora of condo residences on the market, many of which have seen a significant drop in price, your options are great.

In fact, there are currently more than 200 units available for sale in Uptown alone. And throughout North Texas, the number of available condos and townhouses on the market now exceed 4,000.

With sale prices of downtown Dallas condos down from where they were just a year ago, the timing is golden for those homebuyers that have dreams of a luxury condo in the downtown Dallas area.