Does anybody know what’s going on over at Whiteline Lofts? The place looks like such a great project during the day, but it looks empty at night……….
When you see the project building during the day it looks great! Another bonus is that you can’t see into the units even though the walls are pretty much all glass. (nobody can see you in your underwear during the day.)
Perhaps you haven’t seen the property at night?
So what’s the deal? The building looks way less than 1/2 full at night. The first closings took place last October. What’s the story behind Whiteline? Do all the people that live there work during the day, so they’re gone at night? Or do the dark windows tell the story?
If the dark windows tell the story, why are there so many units empty at Whiteline? If this project isn’t selling, why not?
Comment below, or send me an email let me know what’s going on…..
Hey I think that building looks like a Hospital, You got white walls, white building, and Concrete everywhere. Reminds me of a crazy room they used to lock me in.
DebbieDwntwner
How was crazy land?
Just my two cents, but the price per square foot there is CRAZY high! Especially when you consider that you’re buying a concrete and glass shell.
I always drive by that place on the way to Court ave and have wondered the same thing. How can you have so many open units and stay in biz? I guess it pays to have lots of cash.
I would say it’d be good to have lots of cash, the project was $18,000,000 or so I think. I wonder what the interest carry is on that?
They’re hosting a martini party there tomorrow evening from 6 to 9 p.m. I’m looking foward to it. In my opinion, JDR did a phenomenal job marketing this building and now Iowa has taken over and I’m sure will do well also, however………..my suggestion would be that brokers begin realizing the importance of putting lockboxes on their buildings. If they want them to be shown on a regular basis, it is extremely inconvenient to show without that amenity. I can not always show on the other agents timeline. We are at the clients beck and call, as we should be…..that’s good customer service!! Most of my clients are on extremely tight schedules and don’t have time to wait for an agent to get there when I could easily utilize a lockbox immediately. If I have questions or need the other agents assistance, trust me……I’m gonna call! I’d rather get into the project, find my way around a bit if unfamiliar, then not have my client get into the project at all. In the past year, buildings without lockboxes could have had several sales they did not get, literally, because the client was in town for a day, etc… and needed to make a decision and could not get into these buildings. Just fyi…..I showed properties all over town this week. Guess what…after showing one of the new construction sites that provided a lockbox and instructions over the phone…my client fell in love with one of their units. Kudos to those who place a lockbox on their listings downtown!!!! Just a lil fyi……
FYI…Whiteline Lofts usually has staff with keys on site all day. Additionally, there are seven key holders on call available to accomodate last minute showings. The decision to not have a lock box was for two reasons: for the privacy and security of our residence living in the building, and so that a staff member that is familiar with the unique ammenities and construction of the building to be present to answer questions.
Thank you Tanner. That wasn’t my experience this week, not anytime that I’ve tried to show in the past. It’s good to know.
I think that friendly access to properties and quick response to people is VERY important. I have called, emailed and gone in person to see places downtown and had very little success. It is disheartening to have a desire to see and learn about a property and then get no help to do so.
Thanks to you realtors and property managers that treat every person as important–it means so much! And in my opinion is why you are selling/renting when others aren’t.
I tried for months to get info about some downtown apartments for rent. I got very little help, so I finally contacted a realtor who looked for me. What’s up with that?
Why are you picking on Whiteline all of a sudden? If I’m not home at Whiteline, nearly half of the floor I live on is dark. Furthermore, I rarely have the whole place lit up at night even when I am home. Have you seen The Kirkwood Hotel or The Plaza at night? Not every light is on in every window. I don’t think one can extrapolate the success of this or any project by how many lights are turned on at night. Like “T…You Downtown Gal” noted, there is a Downtown Neighborhood Association event here Thursday night. I’d be a great night to stop by, and I’ll leave the lights on for you.
Are you referring to me? I’m not picking on anyone, just asking the question, that’s all.
Dont you know, that building is all sold out, they just told 3/4 the people to turn there lights off!
Please, that building has more open space then Rosie’s O’Donnels fridge and as much personality as Dan Rather.
#1 Hater
[...] Walters and Whiteline in: whiteline lofts I had quite a bit of feedback to my question as to why Whiteline was dark at night. Seems to me that a lot of folks have an opinion about that. Haven’t seen the article? You can find it here. [...]
I don’t get the impression anyone is picking on the Whiteline here. Just curious minds want to know. If I were the property owner I would welcome feedback on my property anytime - negative or positive. That is how you can perfect your product. From the conversations I have heard - every one feels positive about the property and that it is very cool - it’s just the price. The bottom line is they are too expensive for the square footage etc etc. I have also heard that the associations fees are too high along with the price for parking. Just a little FYI.
“Not a hater”
Well, there’s lots being said here. A few thoughts:
T, you’re unique in your knowledge of the downtown market, so the idea that someone of your experience would properly use a lockbox is well-taken. However, with over 1,700 Realtors in DMAAR and very, very, very (!) few of them like you, it’s just not a good idea. Tanner’s comments about security and privacy are validated when we talk about Whiteline’s security structure to visitors. Our residents like their privacy!
Next thought: lights at night. We have 40 homes available and anyone who has concerns about the lights is cordially invited to a private showing—when you see these wonderful homes, you’ll want one! Move in and keep the lights on! Seriously, folks: downtown is about diversity; let’s try for more tolerance of the diverse homes and have some fun!
Final coment: prices too high. Again, I invite anyone to come on in and learn about Whiteline Lofts! When you learn about the value in our association fees, you’ll be pleased. When you learn of the high-quality construction and total rehab the building went thru, you’ll understand. It’s all about perspective; if you’d like something less expensive, that’s OK. Perspect1ve: Starbucks costs $12.80 per gallon! Caseys? $4. Some folks like the nicest stuff and others may not.
Trina, comparing homes by price per square foot is just not a valid real estate statistic. Differences in location, construction, amenities, lifestyle and more are just too vast—not just downtown, but everywhere. But you know what? It’s OK, becasue we’re downtown where the differences are celebrated!
Hi John,
Thanks for your comments. Allow me to clarify mine - I am just repeating the feedback that I hear - “From the conversations I have heard”. That was not necessarily my personal opinion and I must not have clarified that very well in my blog. I do not know what the prices actually are for the Whiteline units and would not be in a position to judge. Value for your money is completely a personal decision which is up to each individual. I have managed many high priced rentals in Des Moines and I hear the old “too expensive” objection all the time. It just helps me to know that is what people are feeling so I can be better equipped with my explanation as to why they are priced at what they are. Again - I am just commenting on the remarks I have heard from those who have toured or looked into buying.
Again - I do not think anyway is commenting on the construction or the amenities, I do not feel that anyone is denying that you get your monies worth (well, maybe except Whitelines #1 Hater)the true question here is “Are they just too expensive?”
John-Great to see you’ve stopped by!
I guess you answered my question.
And you’re right, downtown is awesome!!
John- People need to pay more for the best?
I’m looking around, where is the best? Whiteline? hahahah
So basically, with whiteline I get the highest association fee, the least sq ft? Concrete floors, no walls, no hardwood flooring, small hallways?
The view? Lets keep it real,
East- Parking Garage and science center
West- Power Plant station
North- Bail bonds building (i like how you are right next to each other:)
South, Old warehouses and Martin Luther King Parkway?
So Des Moines you heard it here first, the best downtown has to offer is a concrete unit with no walls, next to a power plant station and bail bonds building, that features no grand lobby or special features.
You better listen to john though, because if you want “the best” you have to pay for it.
-NUMBER #1 HATER
I would think #1 Hater is Paul, except #1 Hater hasn’t yet said anything that sounds like it comes from Karl Marx.
You plan on staying around Hater?
of course, no one hates on Des Moines as much as I do! I’m the biggest hater downtown by far!
#1 HATER
I’ll give you this, you do make me laugh. And you’re the first hater we’ve seen who actually claims to be a hater….
[...] What’s Up With Whiteline? [...]
[...] are just the raw numbers. If you look around you can see that Whiteline still has 40 units for sale according to their list agent, Brownstones on Grand dropped prices [...]
[...] What’s up with Whiteline Lofts? [...]
[...] I do know that according to the new agents there are 40 units still available. Comment by John Stark, Iowa Realty [...]