The latest limited time offer from Arterra: “For a limited time, receive a sleek Sub-Zero refrigerator and handsome bamboo hardwood flooring in all living areas when you purchase a 2-bedroom, 1-bath home on floors 9 and above. Or, receive a 42″ flat-panel television on any 2-bedroom, 1-bath home on floors eight and below (installation not included).”
∙ Speaking Of Savings (And Subtle Signs) At Arterra [SocketSite]
What’s that I hear? Is that the market imploding or a movie on my new TV?
I don’t know if I’d say the market is imploding. I’ve always thought that Arterra would be tough to sell, since its right on King street, across from the Caltrain station and the renderings of the building have looked sort of ugly.
Ok, so it’s my TV. Thanks.
The northern facing units on this place are literally steps from the freeway and yards from the Caltrain tracks. I just can’t comprehend how someone could pay so much for these units. I’d love to see a buyer post their perspective here.
—
I live in the area and it seems like this is the time of the year when the Caltrains like to test their horns in the dead of night. I imagine this disturbance will be much greater in the North facing units. Unless, of course, they have come up with a new, eco-friendly, brand of “sound-proofing gas” for their windows.
market might not be ‘imploding’ but the lasts CSI figures for April are out and price declines nationally and regionally continue
I am a buyer at Arterra and really like the project. I did not buy on the caltrain side but think this building has a lot to offer. Also from talking to others in the area most have said caltrains do not make that much noise and that its a non issue.
Arterra has a lower price point then many of the other new construction projects and you get a good amount of square footage & great layout for the price. I am sold on Mission Bay & think this is going to be a great area in the long run.
Jason,
Thank you for posting and congratulations on your purchase. I hope you enjoy your new home and neighborhood.
I am curiuos. Did Arterra give you any “free” upgrades when you bought?
Cary
Based on the purchase agreement I am not at liberty to talk specifically about my purchase. However, I can you tell you I was able to negotiate with Arterra & get some incentives.
I’ve looked long and hard for a place in San Francisco, so thanks to this site (and all its posters) we bought a 1BR at Arterra.
So where in this city can you find a new 1BR condo for in the $500’s; mbrs-please tell me where you don’t have to pay so much. The whole city is over-priced! even if it is only the third most expensive city in the country (and 54th in the world).
mbrs: I bought for the area and convenience to public conveyances including caltrain, but especially the T & N line. [I hate cars and how they built the suburbs that destroyed the cities]. So if they blow their horn at night it will only remind me of what a great location this is! (we do face the south side, but I know sound does travel).
I also like the fact that it is a green building; where can I buy your eco-friendly sound proofing-gas [glass?]?
TIPN: truth in posting note: we only plan on staying here a few times a year (maybe a month at a time) as we commute from “Leningrad”.
“Based on the purchase agreement I am not at liberty to talk specifically about my purchase. However, I can you tell you I was able to negotiate with Arterra & get some incentives.”
Is this true, and is it common?? I couldn’t even tell my friends and relatives how much I paid for my condo now?
I love the smell of desperation in the morning…
Coke goes to the first one to name the almost movie reference.
“Is this true, and is it common?? I couldn’t even tell my friends and relatives how much I paid for my condo now?”
Of course it’s not true. A confidentiality clause built in to a highly standardized purchase agreement? The state of CA won’t let you take a leak without them reviewing your plans for doing so and then approving it first, let alone adding in confidentiality clauses.
so what was Jason referring to then.
Hang tight guys. Those interested in slow moving developments like Alterra, Park Terrace, 310 Townsend will reap the benefits once the developer throws in the towel and drops prices or double the incentives they’re giving away now…
Last I heard Alterra is 30-40% sold, Terrace 30%, and 310 Townsend even less. Anyone know if sales has picked up or still slow as a snail?
“so what was Jason referring to then.”
He was referring to the fact that he simply doesn’t want to tell you but he doesn’t want to say that. Problem is given the intellect generaly of the readers on this site, as indicated by the results of the recent survey, Jason made a mistake trying to BS a bunch of BSers.
RinconHill_Res: Apocalypse Now (1979) “I love the smell of napalm in the morning”
http://youtube.com/watch?v=pwqdBkaWsTA
I’ll have a Pepsi; no desperation at all.
I can assure you that Jason is not a BSer. There is in fact a confidentiality agreement as to the terms and negotiations of a purchase agreement at Arterra, and likely at many other developments. This is not uncommon. Arterra is about 45% sold, which is pretty impressive considering that the bldg. will not be complete until Spring ’08 and there is a good amount of new construction on the market in MBay. On a $/sf basis it’s a fair deal and HOA dues are also pretty low.
Well, then ORH must be out of step with the norm because they did not include a CC in their standard purchase agreement.
How would you like to find out – after you paid full asking price for your new condo – that your neighbor got a price reduction and/ or other incentives.
Now imagine you find this out while still in escrow….
What are HOAs in the Mission Bay developments, approx.?
Monthly HOA dues run in the $500 range at Park Terrace and 235 Berry. 170 Off Third dues are $500s-600s. Arterra dues are $400s-500s.
This isn’t an Arterra comment, but addresses more the discounts/deals question.
I just got a place at the Palms. Made the offer in late April, closed escrow late May. We were wondering if we got a “deal” and, until that point, had found that the units selling in this building were on sfgate weekly homes sold every week. However, about the same time we closed, those postings for the Palms stopped appearing. I’m not resourceful enough to figure out where I can find such info at this point, but made me wonder what is going on exactly and why the sales stopped showing up there when they had been posting consistently since last summer.
On a side note, at about the same time as the post about Palms vs. Infinity on socketsite in early June, one of the units on the MLS here (#835, I think), which totally matched the poster’s description of the place (including asking price) disappeared from the MLS.
Anybody have any info on what requirements new buildings have in disclosing sales before the whole thing is sold out?
“How would you like to find out – after you paid full asking price for your new condo – that your neighbor got a price reduction and/ or other incentives.”
Same situation with car purchases, some people pay a lot more than others for the same car. The non-disclosure thing just tells me that actual selling prices are below the “listing” prices, and that I should definitely not pay listing price.
Would you love to know how much people paid for their unit at the Infinity?
s,
Were you able to get the developer to negotiate the price or throw in extra incentives at the Palms? I was thinking of buying there especially with the 3.875% intro rate they’re offering…
ventlessdryerfan,
Do you have pricing for units at Infinity you can share with us?
missionbay res,
Sorry, I meant wouldn’t you love to know, not would you love to know what units in the Infinity sold for. I know I would.
“Last I heard Alterra is 30-40% sold, Terrace 30%, and 310 Townsend even less. Anyone know if sales has picked up or still slow as a snail?”
Yeah, they all start selling at 30-40% sold now. It’s the new 0-10% sold. Enjoy.
Upgrades are a definate incentive but who’s going to fall for the 42″ plasma screen. They are so cheap now. Maybe they should also offer to fill your fridge with beer. Then I would buy.
I’m waiting for the “free” Toyota Prius…
missionbay res at June 26, 2007 10:38 AM::”Hang tight guys. Those interested in slow moving developments like Alterra, Park Terrace, 310 Townsend ….”
I could not agree more. In about a year or so when the latest round of ARMs start adjusting upward, give-away-HOA-dues end, etc, and the appreciation that Californians take for granted is not there…THEN…there will be deals for the patient.
Or the developers will rent the units and try to wait out a down market
missionbay res: we were able to negotiate a little vs. asking price. i did notice a listing recently at the palms for which asking price went up a little whereas others are still the same, including some of the units we looked at in april.
otherwise, all the other stuff was pretty much included in our deal (like the appliances, floors, closets, etc).
I’m not worried about sound in the area since they’re building the place with the area’s noise in mind, and I’m excited about my unique and unobstructed views overlooking the the city skyline and Caltrain. Some people might be turned off, but I find that view unique, cool and funky. Along with the deeded parking and relatively low HOA, this was the best deal I found in the area.
At the recent “Arterra Event” one future resident said he liked “friendlier and more diverse” residents at Arterra than he found at some of the other events. That was his opinion, but I got along with the residents too. The “Green” building and Mission Bay location should help make for a warmer environment in the complex over others in SOMA/Mission Bay that are seen strictly as investments.
…. I know firsthand Arterra is giving out more deals than just a plasma TV and flooring.
-Daman
I too looked at the Palms early this year when they dropped the rates. I spoke to one of the sales agent and they were willing to lower the price. Priced I was quoted was for an one bedroom for $540k. They were asking $560k. Unit came complete w/ wood, closets and appliances.
If you plan to keep the unit for long term, paying a little more wont make a differnce.
You never overpay, you just bought too early…
I agree with Daman, the unobstructed views will be great on that side of the building. I also realized last night why the Caltrain seems a lot noisier lately—I have been leaving the window open at night due to the warmer weather; when it is shut I can barely hear all the noise. Granted, I do face south (facing 235 Berry) in Avalon and the quality of construction there is debatable but I am not sure what it is like on the north side.
“I too looked at the Palms early this year when they dropped the rates. I spoke to one of the sales agent and they were willing to lower the price. Priced I was quoted was for an one bedroom for $540k. They were asking $560k. Unit came complete w/ wood, closets and appliances.”
um,
What is the sq footage of the 1 bed unit you’re referring to above? Did it also come with the 3.875% 5/1 rate? Thanks
“What is the sq footage of the 1 bed unit you’re referring to above? Did it also come with the 3.875% 5/1 rate? Thanks”
I forgot the actual sq/ft but I think it was somewhere near 630s/f. Does this sound right? It was an one bedroom what overlooked the alley facing north. When I looked, the sales office told me the unit was in contract but fell out and thats why the unit was complete w/ hardwood and closets. Also, the rate was lowered but might not be the 3.875? What was the previous rate?
“the sales office told me the unit was in contract but fell out and thats why the unit was complete w/ hardwood and closets. ”
Talking about full of ****, the Palms sales team takes the cake.
Has anyone heard anything about the Radiance and how their sales are going? Are there any incentives being offered or are there any negociations in the list price?
Hopefully those buying at Arterra will enjoy living there. I for one can think of several reasons to avoid this building and others on the Berry Street corridor. The constant hum from the diesel engines at Caltrain, the two below market rate buildings just a stones throw away, the lot across 5th street which will soon begin construction. I see no mention of a central air conditioning system. How quiet will it be with the windows open?
As for confidentiality agreements, what a crock! I would love to see the pr nightmare that would insue if the developer sued a buyer for disclosing terms of his “deal”, not to mention the impossible task of “proving damages”.
Lastly, all of you please remember, buying down interest rates “below market” just costs a little money. Mayber around 4 points or so to get near 4% on a 3/1 ARM. So if your loan is for 500k, the cost to the builder is about 20k. A much better deal for a buyer than a 20k price reduction, and this can be negotiated with any seller. Most realtors don’t get this and most buyers are unaware. USE THE SELLERS MONEY TO GET A BETTER INTEREST RATE!!
“…the two below market rate buildings just a stones throw away…”
These statements crack me up! You’d think that they were building projects next door! I have a friend who just won a lottery spot to buy a BMR place – he has two Masters, a wife, a kid, and makes right around 80k. Most BMR units are for people making right around AMI, some a little above! We’re not talking about thugs and criminals here!
I KNOW I will enjoy living there and can’t wait to move in. The street is new and clean compared to most city neighborhoods, and I don’t might rubbing sholders with the Teachers, office workers etc. living in the local below market housing.
I’ve lived south of of SF my whole life in a warmer area and have never used air conditioning in my home (bad for the environment) and have never slept with the window open at night. So the train noise will not be an issue FOR ME. I know the location is not for everyone. But I can’t wait to move in, and am glad they built a place like that which I could afford.
-Eric (Future Arterra resident not investor)
I also crack up at the statements regarding BMR units.
I’m surprised some of you can type so well with your noses so well above the monitor.
I looked in to Arterra and would love to move into the city but I just couldn’t pull the trigger.
I’d be eating top ramen and most of money would be allocated to surviving instead of living. I’d love to win a BMR lottery, but I don’t see that happening so the contingency plan is to live in the East Bay for a few more years and then make the jump.
Anyone who talks about a “central air conditioning system” is clearly not from San Francisco and probably has never had anything to do with San Francisco real estate. My family is from the East Bay and every time I move they always ask if I will have air conditioning and I have to tell them that practically no one has central air conditioning because you would only need to use it 1 day a year.
I can’t even imagine using A/C one day a year. What day would that be? The day that it hits 75 during the day, but was 55 the night before and the night after? Is your insulation bad enough that your house heats up that much during the day?
Anon at 1:53pm….sometimes, even on warm days, it gets hot and stuffy in high rise condos. I find that on days that are in the 70s, it can be a tad warm. If the days are in the 80s, it can get sweltering in my place and it may take a couple days to cool off in there, even though it can be cool outside. So, sometimes air conditioning comes in handy.
I have to agree with SFhighrise in that people might be suprised at how hot an all glass high rise unit can get. My parents have a condo in Manhattan and even though it might be 50 degrees outside, the sun would cook the unit to where even with the windows open the A.C. would need to be turned on. I would imagine this will be a problem in some of the new towers also.
Sounds like you just need more windows that open in a highrise then, to get some decent circulation. Would having some kind of forced air vent work? I just find it hard to believe that in a city that rarely tops 55 degrees at night that it would take a few days to cool off – if there was a forced air vent of outside air or lots of windows.
One thing about posting here, there is always somebody to object. Regarding the condo in NYC. It is the United Nations Plaza Towers, and as there are NO balconies, the only windows are small 18″ high windows at the bottom that open about 20%. Does this remind you of any of the new towers going up in this city by the way? To further argue my point. In that complex, as in many back East, they turn off the A.C. in October so that you can only draw heat from the Boilers which are switched over to the chillers in the Summer. I have been at their unit at Thanksgiving when the sun is pouring in and the temp. reads 83 with all of the windows open and the temperature outside at 45 degrees. Please try to understand that high rise buildings present their own issues, even in San Francisco. I would imagine many upper floor units in One Rincon will need to run their air conditioning because of the noise and exhaust from the freeway below. By the way, I am an old timer and there ARE times when the temperature has gone above 95 degrees in the Financial District (though not at Ocean Beach).
Eric- I too can’t wait to move in; but I hope you don’t mind rubbing shoulders with a neighbor who doesn’t have a job.
Joe- I fed my family on top ramen when we first moved to the bay area and many years later sold the house for a place at Arterra and a retirement home on the water. If you change your mind my wife (retired chef) will cook you what ever you want if you serve me top ramen (which she will not cook for me). Oh, and you really think prices will be lower in a few years?
For the price of a new one/two bedroom in ANY new development, Id rather live at the tree tops in the Infinity. Price points are the same but you are getting way more plus the location is a lot better.
For all the new developments on Berry, will there be any open parking spaces outside? I can only imagine how crowded the street willl be in the morning or after work. Even worst is when the Giants play.
Plus, in 5 years I think the Infinity will outperform all these new buildings in resell pricing.
Just my take…
“Sounds like you just need more windows that open in a highrise then, to get some decent circulation. Would having some kind of forced air vent work? I just find it hard to believe that in a city that rarely tops 55 degrees at night that it would take a few days to cool off – if there was a forced air vent of outside air or lots of windows.”
Exactly re forced air vent! More operable windows are nice too. But I’ve found most high rise construction in SF incorporates a Z-Vent or some other type of passive outdoor air vent that is typically backed up by an interior exhaust fan that pulls air through the vent in an exterior wall and exhausts it at roof level. This type of system can carry you comfortably through several very warm days if you know how to use it. That would generally mean setting the fan on high during the evening hours and overnight to pre-cool the unit for the warm day ahead (If the overnight low is 55 degrees, you should be able to achieve 65 degrees easily.) Re-set the fan to low or, if unit unoccupied, completely off for a daytime setting if the forcast high is above your target indoor temp. If you use window coverings to avoid solar gain and avoid cooking (except with a microwave), running a DW, etc., you can maintain a comfortable place even in record breaking weather. Again, the key is using ventilation to pre-cool at night; minimizing or ceasing ventilation on the warmest days.
Wow, this place is sounding better and better, as long as I don’t open the windows, cook, turn on my lights, computer or television (all putting off tremendous heat). Those that have not lived in a high-rise building have no idea how warm it gets. I live on the south side of a building (no afternoon sun) and my place is plenty warm most of the time. So I open doors and windows and it is comfortable and quiet. However, the north side of the building is noisy with more street and freeway noise. Without A/C your windows will be open MOST of the time to keep your unit comfortable. Arterra units will be similar in my opinion. Units facing North and West will be warmer, and when you open windows you will hear the non-stop noise from the caltrain station and the freeway that nearly wraps around the building.
As for the BMRs, the 236 rental units on 420 Berry will accept section 8 housing vouchers and have maximum 60% of AMI limits. The 131 ownership units across the street will be 100% of AMI. 2007 AMI is $86,500
This thread reminds me why I get so furious when most new condos are under the “luxury” label. Radiance has in-wall heaters!, units costing well over 1million do not include deeded parking or a vent for a clothes dryer, and now we are told it is too much to expect air conditioning! Before all the Bay Area finger wagging begins, let me remind you that by choosing to not live 40 miles away in a sfr driving an SUV each way, I am already trying to do my part.
People knock the Infiniti but at least you can have air conditioning, parking and a clothes dryer. WHO KNEW in 2007 these things would be a suprise for 1.3 million?
Socketsite has been helpful to me as I searched for suitable living quarters in SF. I am in my seventies and relocated here from the east coast three years ago to be near children and grandchildren. I have been renting until I got to know the city better and get my housing bearings for the long term. I like city living and a typical retirement community is not appealing.
Five months ago I signed a contract for a one bedroom in a mid-rise at Infinity. Most important to me were its location and the building amenities.
To be close to the Folsom/Embarcadero
Muni light rail stop is most important at my age as well as the weather, the level terrain, and the supportive features of the complex. Knowing that Tishman-Speyer and Webcor are involved is also a plus. I plan to live there until I am carried out so whether I should have bought last quarter or next quarter does not matter much to me.
Infinity should appeal to other senior couples and singles like myself. We probably represent a growing segment of the market — including those of us who relocate here to be near family and appreciate the added bonus of living in San Francisco.
Thank you again socketsite for providing this insightful forum.
Hey, I just wanted to say again, I can’t wait to move into my Arterra unit I could afford. Arterra serves its purpose (filling my needs as a young lower paid professional) and as I’ve seen on the news, the new high-rise complexes near the financial district are proving to be popular and perfect for high-pay professionals and Empty Nesters. Call me strange but I LOVE the Arterra area and location. I’m going to have a cool/funky view and all my friends LOVE that I’m moving into a green building. I’m a 15 min. walk to union square and steps away from my Caltrain commute and Muni. And I love the area.. walking around the creek park and exploring the UC campus etc.
Anyways thats enough for me on this thread… Its just kind of funny seeing Berry st. labled as a skid row, and that planet earth NEEDS more air conditioners (especially in SF). 🙂
I live in the Avalon building a block from Alterra. My unit is on a higher floor and the windows face SE so I get a lot of morning sunlight. Even on cool nights and cool mornings, my unit still heats up and by noon my unit sometimes hit 80 degrees! By the early afternoon, my unit is in complete shade but my unit doesn’t cool down.
Most people don’t understand large buildings absorb a lot of heat and take much longer to cool down than a house. Opening windows doesn’t help much since most windows in highrises only open 5-6 inches. Luckily I have a balcony so I can open the door wide open to catch the bay breeze.
My neighbors that have their unit facing west have it worst. The afternoon sun heats up their unit so much that they leave the apartment and return in the evening. They say on warm, sunny days, their unit is unliveable in the afternoon.
When I shop for a condo next year, a terrace or balcony is a must. Not just for the outdoor space, but the ability to open a door wide open is a god-send. I’m not sure what type of windows Alterra has, but I’m pretty sure they’re the push-out types that only open 5-6 inches. Unless those units has air-con, I’m afraid those will bake on warm, sunny days.
I would like the new Berry’s owners opinion on how they see the future of that street. With so many new construction on that tiny street, how’s the quality of life living there? I agree that Mission Bay will pick up, but my guess is that i’d rather live south of the canal and closer to UCSF.
What about resell? I KNOW everyone wants to stay long term, but eventually you will need to move. Renting is not an option since there’s so many units plus Avalon right across the street. I cant imagine any of these units will command a premiun with all the other developments coming through the pipeline.
Sounds like some terrible design in some of these “highrises”. I live in a SOMA building (8 stories, more than 100 units) and face west on the 7th floor (direct sunlight in the evening). My windows open a good amount and I have never, ever even thought of needing A/C. I have a balcony, but never need to open that door to cool things off – my place just never heats up that much. Sounds like the insulation on these new glass/steel buildings is HORRENDOUS.
I personally don’t like Berry street. The street is too narrow, most of the buildings look the same. And for some reason (maybe because of the buildings on both sides), the area is quite windy all day long. I think the planning dept did a poor job approving all these vanilla developments. Also, when the rest of the buildings fill out parking will be a nightmare, especially for guest or folks that have more than 1 car.
When the southern part of Mission Bay develops (Radiance area), I think that will be a much more desirable place to live…
I have to agree with the Infinity comments earlier (from seniorbuyer and anom). They seem to have done things the right way.
It’s so unbelievable that these days a million dollar luxury condos don’t include deeded or self parking, conventional dryers, or air con.
Folks spend 2 million dollars for penthouse condos at OneRincon, and yet they don’t even get one freaking parking space! I know at Infinity, all buyers get one deeded space, and some buyers even have the choice of buying enclosed garages or tandem parking spaces (I’ve seen it in their parking maps).
I think these extra options plus the premium location will separate Infinity from the rest of the crowd like Alterra, OneRincon, SomaGrand etc…
“I’m a 15 min. walk to union square and steps away from my Caltrain commute and Muni.”
More like 30-40 min – if you don’t get mugged on 4th St. under the Bay Bridge on ramp underpass….
For those discussing Infinity you need to stop comparing it to places like Arterra, Park Terrace & SomaGrand. Those places have much lower price points then Infinity & One Rincon. Yes Inifinity may have a better location & finishes then Arterra but it also cost $200k more. You need to compare apples to apples!
Infinity’s location is great and One Rincon is just okay. Even though they are only 4 blocks away, its a big difference. Being next to the onramp isn’t what I call ideal. BUT the views it’ll have is amazing.
The design of the Infinity is also better than One Rincon.
As for price per s/f. The treetops at the Infinity is the same as the other units (SomaBland, Arterra, 310 Townsend and Off 3rd) and they are much much better. Some of the higher price units in those buildings is the same as tower units at the Infinity.
When its all said and done, Infinity will be the crown jewel of the South Beach/SOMA/ Rincon Hill no matter if you live in the mid rise or on top of the towers. Nothing even comes close.
And for resell, Infinity is the plus. Location, Style and Parking is all huge!!!
“I have to agree with the Infinity comments earlier (from seniorbuyer and anom). They seem to have done things the right way.
It’s so unbelievable that these days a million dollar luxury condos don’t include deeded or self parking, conventional dryers, or air con.
Folks spend 2 million dollars for penthouse condos at OneRincon, and yet they don’t even get one freaking parking space! I know at Infinity, all buyers get one deeded space, and some buyers even have the choice of buying enclosed garages or tandem parking spaces (I’ve seen it in their parking maps).
I think these extra options plus the premium location will separate Infinity from the rest of the crowd like Alterra, OneRincon, SomaGrand etc…”
About deeded parkings, the Infinity will be the last large condominium development in S.F that provides 1 parking space for EVERY single unit. All the other high rise projects coming up in the pipeline will have 20%-40% of the building with a mixture of valet&no pkg (some will have 100% valet like ORH). I hope none of the Infinity buyers gave up their space for the $75k.
I work right next door and park the the parking lot across from the Infinity. I live in Pac Heights and still drive.
That location is a ghost town. You have the B&T restaurants and everything else closes. I can’t wait till people move in, where are they going to walk to. Place is a ghost town and boring, walk out and hear the hum of the highway and visit resturants full of people from hotels. Boring place.
No Doubt! Infinity will be better than any condo in Soma and Pac Heights! The location cant be beat and the building is simply beautiful!
huh,
If you were a restaurant or shop, why would you be open now? There are no residents to support you. Wait until after the Infinity opens – with people come businesses.
The area is pretty bustling during the weekdays with all the businesses around (Gap, Hills Plaza, etc..). I don’t mind the place quieting down in the evening. After a long day working in the financial dist, what’s wrong with coming home to a quiet neighborhood?
The Embacadero is still filled with joggers and folks walking around enjoying the views. Hills Plaza has Gordon Biersch and Palomino, Steuart St has a number of restaurants and bars, and there’s 2 new restaurants under construction at Embarcadero and Folsom.
Infinity will have it’s own restaurant, cafe, and boutique grocery store on the ground level.
I really think the best is yet to come for this neighborhood. Infinity itself will bring several hundred residents to the area. Businesses are already here and many more are in the pipeline…
Huh,
I live in the area and am often in Pac Heights, visiting friends. Pac Heights does have some nice things….Fillmore street is quaint and has good restaurants and I do like the parks. However, on a whole, I really think that the area around Infinity offers more. Sure, we don’t have one street dedicated to shops and restaurants (Yet…however, give it a few years for Folsom Street to develop).
However, you have a lot better weather in this part of the city, more to do (not just shops and restaurants, but within walking distance of more hangout spots in SF) and also better living accomodations…..in my opinion, a modern high-rise is nicer than an old victorian. Give it a couple years and you’ll see why so many others are so bullish on this neighborhood and maybe you’ll change your snobbish view of anything south of California St.
I live in Pac Heights and I’d love for the SOMA area to develop and become a modern, sophisticated sections of SF. Hell, I’m all for ANY improvements to certain areas of this city. Many condos around here are rundown and in desperate need of updating. I can understand why a newer condo might be preferable. That said, no part of SF can beat Pac Heights for great single family homes w/in walking distance of trendy shopping districts. I’m a SFH kind of guy and living in a high rise with shared elevators, massive parking structures, no yards, and people above, below, and to the sides of me is just not my thing.
MedusaSF:
I can guarantee you that for most folk, the condos are not their kind of thing either, but unless you are a trust fund baby or married rich or bought your sfh 30 years ago, you are priced out of the market… sf shacks go for over $700K, fixer uppers start at $700K… this bubble of the past three years have really pushed the envelope …most of the bubble was just a major scam, with the appraisers, lenders, liar borrowers all in on it… some folks made lots of money and good for them. Those who bought =- some got in early and are still doing ok, some got in late and now have to hold on and pray market doesn’t drop anymore, and some are just plain looking at foreclosure… I like what someone on one of these blogs said that housing should be a need, not a want… well, for many here the dream home just isn’t going to be… unless one likes living in a sf shack (oh, thats a new one we can coin, sfs!! I like it).
But you are right Medusa SF…Pac Heights is nice, esp if you own one of those homes… sitting pretty on lots of equity..
Medusa, Below Median,
Yeah, I do agree that those SFR homes on Broadway in Pac Heights are unbelieveable. I once went to a dinner party once and said that if money were no object and I was still in the city, that’s where I’d live.
As mentioned, its not realistic for most people to own those places, even the median Socketsite reader who makes about $200k in household income. As noted, a $700k fixer-upper with all sorts of problems and no modern amenities doesn’t appeal to me, even if it happens to be a block off Fillmore or Chestnut. I’m usually either too busy to go out during the week or just don’t want to spend $100 per night on a meal anyway. So, if I go out there on a weekend, what difference does it make if I live 2-3 blocks away or 2-3 miles away and can get there easily by cab?
I would admit that it seems that people in Pac Heights are more community oriented and my friends there seem to be able to meet people easier than I do, living in a high rise condo in the Rincon Hill area.
I just found this website and feel very interested in previous postings. First of all, I made a contract with one bed+den at Arterra. The square footage is pretty big (900+ sq) compared to other comparable units in SF. There are many incentives and yes, HOA is pretty low.
I negotiated with Lincoln and Infinity too. You need to be aware that their HOA is $800~$1000+. Besides, living upper than 25th floor makes you feel dizzy by your building swining by wind. It doesn’t matter how they set up the structure beam or water thank on the top.
The problem of 235 Berry and other condos near Arterra is that their views facing city got blocked by Arterra and previous apartments like Avalon. Only few units there got views. Remember, units facing east is not close to the bay either but near canal.
With the equal footage with Radiance, its cost is already 800K, and I know that Arterra’s sale is more than 45% (I cannot tell you how I knew :->) The rendering may not be satisfactory, and the options with the design center are terrible. However, you may agree that not many condos in SF offers parking space, balcony, and much space and amenities like that. With that in mind, I know that there is a huge concern about Caltrain. It can be good and bad: easy access to highway and transportation for both Caltrain and Muni but with squaking noise possible from the trains. First of all, dual pane windows really work well. You may still hear some noise but not worse than what you hear from single pane windows in Palo Alto. The building is a block away from the place where trains actually stop. It gives less noise and give more city view by not having any building at front. Most people living in city don’t stay at home during work hours anyway. The noise from communting cars may give little trouble if they honk.
As a result, I don’t see much drawback from Arterra with other merits you get from. If you expect too much from living in city, you may imagine the living in San Mateo, Palo Alto, or Cupertino. Remember. Infinity is close to the downtown but far from grocery or even bay. Lincoln is too high and near Greyhound and nightclubs with not-so-friendly crowd at night.
One more tip, Arterra uses the same mortgage lender who offers good deal similar to Palms. I am sure that they will offer you the comparative deal when construction is almost complete.