Anyone looking to rent an apartment downtown? [Archive]

Buddy Holly

08-24-2006, 02:04 AM

This is Vistana.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/realestate/stories/D_IMAGE.10d11cd596d.93.88.fa.d0.2c7f8e98.jpg

One of downtown's latest housing developments, however different from the others is this will be all apartments (as opposed to all the condos going up). Construction is planned to begin in December and finish in spring of 2008.

Vistana will be built directly across Santa Rosa St. from Milam Park .

I don't think there is a taller "all apartment" building in the downtown area.

Kori Ellis

08-24-2006, 02:05 AM

This is Vistana.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/realestate/stories/D_IMAGE.10d11cd596d.93.88.fa.d0.2c7f8e98.jpg

One of downtown's latest housing developments, however different from the others is this will be all apartments (as opposed to all the condos going up). Construction is planned to begin in December and finish in spring of 2008.

I don't think there is a taller "all apartment" building in the downtown area.

Where will it be exactly?

Buddy Holly

08-24-2006, 02:06 AM

Where will it be exactly?

Just added that.

It'll be across from Milam part and diagonal from both Santa Rosa hospital and diagonal from Market Square.

Melmart1

08-24-2006, 02:06 AM

Will it have parking? I hear the parking situation for the hipsters living downtown is really bad.

CuckingFunt

08-24-2006, 02:07 AM

That's actually a pretty cool looking building. I hate a lot of modern condo/apartment architecture.

Buddy Holly

08-24-2006, 02:10 AM

Will it have parking? I hear the parking situation for the hipsters living downtown is really bad.

Parking will be floors 2-5 of the building with the remaining 9 floors being apartments. The first floor will be retail.

ChumpDumper

08-24-2006, 02:12 AM

Santa Rosa and Commerce, it looks like.

Pretty cool, probably expensive as hell.

Melmart1

08-24-2006, 02:14 AM

Parking will be floors 2-5 of the building with the remaining 9 floors being apartments. The first floor will be retail.
Clever! I wonder if that includes guest parking, though. I was gonna move into a highrise building downtown when I lived in Virginia with a great view of Cheasapeake Bay but parking was one space only and my guests would have to park like six blocks away, plus they "frowned upon" my tri-colored beater Ford Escort. Jerks!

Kori Ellis

08-24-2006, 02:16 AM

Parking will be floors 2-5 of the building with the remaining 9 floors being apartments. The first floor will be retail.

Very cool.

Buddy Holly

08-24-2006, 02:17 AM

Pretty cool, probably expensive as hell.

The apartments will start at $650 per month.

Buddy Holly

08-24-2006, 02:17 AM

More about The Vistana:

A sixth-floor amenity deck will include a pool, fitness room, movie theater and business center. Picnic areas, barbecue grills and seating areas are planned for a landscaped rooftop courtyard.

ChumpDumper

08-24-2006, 02:18 AM

Well, it's cheaper than downtown Austin.

Buddy Holly

08-24-2006, 02:20 AM

Also, AT&T has signed on to wire all the units with its U-verse.

Buddy Holly

08-24-2006, 02:21 AM

This btw is the first of many future downtown housing developments the city is pushing for. It's good to see the city (Miss Sculley I thank you) take initiative and be more pro active with making downtown more housing friendly.

However they dropped the ball with Tesoro. I'm not sure who knows this, but Tesoro is leaving their current HQ across from the Quarry in north central SA for a new one as park of a large scale and upscale office park in the Stone Oak area. They'll go from something like 300,000 sq. ft. in their current HQ to 600,000 sq. ft. Had the city pushed, they could have had them build downtown and we could have been looking at a 800-900 foot skyscraper. Not to mention all those jobs downtown.

ChumpDumper

08-24-2006, 02:24 AM

Are they going to bring back non-Rivercenter shopping?

Melmart1

08-24-2006, 02:26 AM

650 to start? I wonder how big the floor plan is. That is an excellent price for downtown with all of those amenities!

Buddy Holly

08-24-2006, 02:28 AM

650 to start? I wonder how big the floor plan is. That is an excellent price for downtown with all of those amenities!

I know it's not a floor plan:

The Vistana's loft-style units will have 10-foot ceilings, concrete floors and ceilings, walk-in closets and big windows.

Buddy Holly

08-24-2006, 02:40 AM

Another apartment complex going up downtown is Metropolitan at the Park.

http://www.michaelgimber.com/ProjectImages/metro/image1.jpg

boutons_

08-24-2006, 08:23 AM

CharlieMac

08-24-2006, 08:55 AM

It's usually the twenty-somethings working downtown that look for places like the Maverick or that other place by the dome. I wouldn't have minded living down there a few years ago. It's a great location during New Years, Fiesta, and Spurs parades.

Any word on what they plan to do with that huge empty lot by those new apartments where victoria courts used to be?

1369

08-24-2006, 09:04 AM

However they dropped the ball with Tesoro. I'm not sure who knows this, but Tesoro is leaving their current HQ across from the Quarry in north central SA for a new one as park of a large scale and upscale office park in the Stone Oak area. They'll go from something like 300,000 sq. ft. in their current HQ to 600,000 sq. ft. Had the city pushed, they could have had them build downtown and we could have been looking at a 800-900 foot skyscraper. Not to mention all those jobs downtown.

Well that's just fucking peachy, more goddamn traffic in an area that can't handle the load it has already. I hope to hell that Hardburger's $550M roads and park proposal has something in it for my neighborhood (Stone Oak).

PakiDan

08-24-2006, 10:18 AM

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=santa+rosa+St,+San+Antonio,+TX&ie=UTF8&ll=29.42524,-98.498118&spn=0.003458,0.00589&t=h&om=1

It's amazing that they are projecting a demand for luxury residences downtown where there has been effectively no resident population in 40+ years. What demographic is going to live there? Wealthy retired? Mid-career professionals? I can't see families with young kids there.

The demand for inner city real estate has exploded in the past few years. Buddy Holly... Where are you getting your info from?? Please direct us to somewhere we can see this for ourselves.

Buddy Holly

08-24-2006, 10:41 PM

Various places.

ChumpDumper

08-24-2006, 10:45 PM

Any word on what they plan to do with that huge empty lot by those new apartments where victoria courts used to be?Thats where the fucking AT&T Center should be! :pctoss

Buddy Holly

08-24-2006, 10:46 PM

Any word on what they plan to do with that huge empty lot by those new apartments where victoria courts used to be?

That is now home to Victoria Commons. A mix use development. Phase I was completed about a year and a half ago, phase II just started.

TDMVPDPOY

08-24-2006, 10:54 PM

why rent when you can buy

so whats teh price for a 2 bedroom or 3 bedroom apartment?

Buddy Holly

08-24-2006, 10:58 PM

Probably between 800-1,200 dollars a month.

MannyIsGod

08-24-2006, 11:07 PM

I'd pay 650 for a loft downtown. Jess and I play 650 for a loft a mile from DT right now.

Das Texan

08-25-2006, 12:29 AM

Why rent when you can buy?

DannyT

08-26-2006, 12:47 AM

Why rent when you can buy?
whos best to buy from and do yo know of any good sites online or companys to stop by and see in san an

Melmart1

08-26-2006, 08:34 AM

Why rent when you can buy?
If you are out of town 20 zillion months of the year like me, its easier to rent because you dont have to worry about things like repairs, lawns, etc. If you are always out of town, renting is the best. Buying is not an option for everyone.

CharlieMac

08-26-2006, 08:52 PM

Zunni

08-26-2006, 09:13 PM

If you are out of town 20 zillion months of the year like me, its easier to rent because you dont have to worry about things like repairs, lawns, etc. If you are always out of town, renting is the best. Buying is not an option for everyone.
A lot of condos will take care of that stuff for you. That is why they have the monthly fee. If I had a choice between being out of town and having an empty apt. or being out of town, having an empty condo or loft, and accumulating equity, I would choose equity. It is one of the best ways to build wealth over time.

Melmart1

08-26-2006, 09:56 PM

Will the renters of the world please stand up and give some other reasons so the buyers will stfu? Seriously, it gets on my nerves how people judge renters. Buying is simply not an option for everyone.

Das Texan

08-26-2006, 10:11 PM

Sorry, I'm out of town 5 days a week and buying makes a hell of a lot more sense.

I'd rather have something after 5 years than nothing like I would have with renting.

Melmart1

08-26-2006, 10:21 PM

Nobody said it didnt' make sense! I said it's not an option for everyone!

Zunni

08-26-2006, 11:26 PM

Giving reasons why buying makes sense is hardly "judging renters", Mel. If you don't want to buy, then say so. The reasons that you gave didn't stand up to the condo amenities scenario, though, and many times you can buy for what you pay in rent. If you have other reasons that you choose not to share, that's fine, but since this is a discussion, others may benefit from both sides of it. Renting may be the best or only option for you, but that does not make it the best option for everyone.

Kori Ellis

08-26-2006, 11:51 PM

Sorry, I'm out of town 5 days a week and buying makes a hell of a lot more sense.

I'd rather have something after 5 years than nothing like I would have with renting.

Good for you. But that's not the case for everyone. Not everyone is in the position to buy, nor does it make sense for everyone to buy.

We moved into this house two years ago and it was a year lease and after that an option to buy at a very discounted rate. After the year, we decided (for our own reasons -- one being there's things I don't like about the house for longterm) not to buy and just stayed on a month-to-month lease.

It's the same thing with cars, for a lot of people leasing is good. And then there's people run around saying "well you don't own anything". Well that's not the number one priority for everyone.

Kori Ellis

08-26-2006, 11:54 PM

Another example of why certain people (in other regions) don't buy.

When I lived in L.A., I rented a 2200 sq foot house for $2000 per month.
When the owner decided to sell the house, market price was $760K. Unless, I put down like 300K (which I didn't have in my back pocket), mortgage payments would have been ridiculous.

So I decided to stay renting.

Melmart1

08-27-2006, 05:36 AM

Buddy Holly

08-27-2006, 06:44 AM

A larger rendering from their website:

http://www.thevistana.com/themes/Xaraya_Classic/images/splash/hero.jpg

www.thevistana.com

http://www.thevistana.com/themes/Xaraya_Classic/images/splash/logo.gif

Zunni

08-27-2006, 09:34 AM

Zunni, I apologize if you thought I was saying you were being judgemental. But more than once in this forum there has been the buying vs. renting or leasing vs. buying a car debate, and the buyers always thumb their noses at leasers/rentals. They act like its so easy and mindless to just buy a house. Some people are simply not in a position to do so and it has nothing to do with being uninformed. I am sure the unsolicited advice was meant with good intentions but it also sounds condescending. Again, not you specifically, but just in general.
Fair enough, Mel. I wasn't in on those discuusions, and I can easily see where there are scenarios where you would want to rent. I am considering a move to downtown myself, and will probably rent for the first year while I pay off some debt and to get a feel for the lifestyle. Even though I've found some relatively cheap rental space in the Southtown/SoFlo area and it would cost me more to buy (+30-40%), I'll do it when my lease is up. The difference in equity building will more than make up for the payment difference in the long run. It's like buying a sports team. You really don't make any money until you sell, but then it can be a ton.

Hold the line for the renters, Mel. Peace, out. :spin

Das Texan

08-27-2006, 10:22 AM

Ultimately, its going to be each individual's own decision whether to rent or to buy.

In my mind, one of the easiest ways to build equity is through real estate and in this market, the differences between a 2 bedroom apt and a mortgage is minimal, especially when considering the benefits.

Everyone is in different situations though, and the biggest factor in renting/buying can simply be in the cost of borrowing money.

But like I said, its a decision that everyone has to make for themselves. For me its an easy decision, especially with the line of work I will be entering into within the next 12-18 months.

Melmart1

08-27-2006, 10:30 AM

I wonder where all the the poor people(section 8 and HUD) and homeless are going to go if the southside and downtown continue to be developed like they are?????

anyone have any ideas? so I can avoid them like the plague.
Hopefully they go to the neighborhoods with all the homos so Buck Rogers can steer clear of both types of people he hates (is scared of?) all in one fell swoop like the bigot he is.

gameFACE

08-27-2006, 10:31 AM

http://www.thevistana.com/themes/Xaraya_Classic/images/splash/hero.jpg

It reminds me of the Tower Life of Express News building. The location is pretty nice.

Even though I've found some relatively cheap rental space in the Southtown/SoFlo area and it would cost me more to buy (+30-40%), I'll do it when my lease is up. The difference in equity building will more than make up for the payment difference in the long run.
I've looked at a few similar areas and, yeah, the cost is higher. But in my case, for example, I work downtown. I always have for some odd reason. Since I wouldn't have to commute I would save quite a bit (these days) on fuel expenses, I wouldn't mind putting that savings into the equity of a house than some oil company.

By the way, i've been renting the last six years. Don't have a problem with it. I'll probably be ready to buy by next spring. I paid off my debts from when I was married and now i'm ready to buy. That's called rocket science.

ShoogarBear

08-27-2006, 10:38 AM

It looks like it should have one of these mounted on the top:

http://www.supermanhomepage.com/images/superman-returns3/dailyplanetglobe1.jpg

MannyIsGod

08-27-2006, 02:16 PM

Why rent over buying? I don't have that kind of jack to lay down, and even if I did I don't plan on laying roots for awhile. When Jess finishes school and our lease is up, we're out of here. Eventually I want to settle here, but eventually is a long way off.

SpursWoman

08-27-2006, 02:56 PM

and the biggest factor in renting/buying can simply be in the cost of borrowing money.

I inherited a house with a mortgage and it's definitely not something I would have done at that particular time in my life ... because now it's not the landlord that has to pay the cost of replacing an entire air conditioning system, fight with the city to put in concrete in the drainage ditch that runs along the entire side of my property that is basically the runoff from most of my neighborhood and has caused enough erosion that it has destroyed the brick pillars on my carport and cracked the hell out of my driveway...I don't even want to know the shape of my foundation (that I'll have to pay to fix, btw), broken appliances, homeowner's insurance, property taxes...fucked up wiring, you name it, sometimes people just don't have the time or money or want the headache of having to deal with all of this shit.

Sometimes the joys of homeownership suck. But, hey...I still have a shit-load of equity I'm saving to be able to borrow against to fix the foundation when it cracks and my roof when it falls in! :spin

MannyIsGod

11-10-2006, 06:02 AM

They need to finish these lofts already. I want to live in a bad ass place downtown.

johnsmith

11-10-2006, 08:07 AM

TheTruth

11-10-2006, 08:26 AM

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=santa+rosa+St,+San+Antonio,+TX&ie=UTF8&ll=29.42524,-98.498118&spn=0.003458,0.00589&t=h&om=1

It's amazing that they are projecting a demand for luxury residences downtown where there has been effectively no resident population in 40+ years. What demographic is going to live there? Wealthy retired? Mid-career professionals? I can't see families with young kids there.
Man, I work at the HEB complex downtown, and I'll be living at the Vistana whenever it opens up. I'm 24 and don't have any kids, so it's perfect for Mandy and I.

MannyIsGod

11-10-2006, 09:33 AM

Living this close to downtown is bad ass, but actually living IN downtown has to be even better.

johnsmith

11-10-2006, 09:34 AM

Living this close to downtown is bad ass, but actually living IN downtown has to be even better.

I'm with Amy on this one. Until I bought a house, I always tried to live in a downtown area no matter where I lived. Anytime you can stumble home drunk from a bar and it only takes 10-15 minutes, then you're in good shape.

METALMiKE

08-14-2007, 04:05 PM

http://www.thevistana.com/

They have updated their website with floor plans and more renderings. :clap

BacktoBasics

08-14-2007, 04:17 PM

Nothing says high end living like hookers congregating out front.

ashbeeigh

08-14-2007, 04:46 PM

I didn't read this thread the first time around..but man that place looks bad ass. During my break I was looking at places in downtown Dallas and wow..this sounds like a good deal. And as for thos renter haters...you can pay my loans and I'll buy my house.

CubanMustGo

08-14-2007, 05:12 PM

So IF they are still saying you can rent from $650 ... what you get for that will be a studio with under 500 sf (sixth floor, S1 or S4 for example). Anything with living space (e.g. a bedroom) will be well over $1K/month.

Cool looking building, tho. There's not a lot of shopping down there so hopefully there will be a greengrocer in the building.

bendmz

08-14-2007, 07:52 PM

YEP, COOL LOOKING BUILDING, but paying $650 for 500sf just does not give me enough space to kick the dog around.
Right across from Milam Park, the local hang out for the homeless at night.
you got the Cattlemens bar just 3 blocks down the street where you can get whatever your little heart desires. GREAT MEAT MARKET ON WEDNESDAYS.....IT'S LADIES NITE !!!!!! :drunk