not sure where to put this since there isn't a John Ross thread I could find...anyway
On the waterfront: Elliptical John Ross tower opens, is still selling
Sunday, March 18, 2007
By JEFF KUECHLE
The Oregonian
Few people have been privileged to see the views from the 31st-floor penthouse of the John Ross, the elegantly elliptical condominium spire that now dominates the skyline of Portland's new South Waterfront District.
From its floor-to-ceiling windows and broad concrete deck, the condominium commands a stunning 360-degree view of the downtown skyline, the West Hills, the Tram, the river, the hollowed-out interior of Ross Island, the Old Spaghetti Factory and Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens and the Cascades.
The luxuriously finished condo features four bedrooms, five baths, a butler's pantry and a private elevator within 5,035 square feet.
The John Ross penthouse is off the market -- snapped up for $4 million. But home shoppers who heard the buzz surrounding the eagerly anticipated condo project may be surprised to learn that about 70 of the 303 units at the John Ross are still up for grabs. They range from 640-square-foot studio lofts (eight available) to 3,456-square-foot 30th-floor penthouse units (two available).
Rumors of fierce competition for prime units and frenzied presales at the John Ross and other South Waterfront condominiums led some potential buyers to believe they had little chance of scoring a condo at the John Ross. The neighboring Meriwether, for example, was reported to be 94 percent presold before spring 2006, when the first buyer moved in.
But early rumors don't always match later realities, said Patrick Clark of the Realty Trust Group, which is marketing the project for developers Gerding/Edlen and Williams & Dame.
"We decided to break some of the larger lower-floor homes into two units, which created an additional 32 homes," said Clark as he donned a hard hat for a tour of the nearly completed John Ross in mid-February. "And as closing approaches, there are always a few sales that don't go through. We actually have homes available in all price ranges, from $279,000 all the way up to $2.6 million."
The tour began with a trek through the underground parking garage, the air sharp with fresh paint. Upstairs, with the first move-in on March 5 still a few weeks away, the lobby carpets were still covered in plastic.
The majority of the condos at the John Ross are within its elliptical tower; additional units are in an attached four-story building.
We started with the Tower Homes. The first stop was an intimate and beautifully appointed 640-square-foot studio loft on the east side of the building's ninth floor. Priced from $279,000 to $335,000 (units on the higher floors, with more commanding views, command higher prices) these units feature roomy kitchens with granite countertops, Fisher & Paykel and Bosch stainless appliances, and ceramic tile in the single bath.
Next was a 790-square-foot one-bedroom loft with a semi-open sleeping area, separated from the living space of the home by a half-wall. Priced at about $379,000, the larger lofts feature a curved 20-foot expanse of floor-to-ceiling windows and a 5-foot-by-7-foot outdoor terrace.
Clark then led the way across the hall to a true one-bedroom unit. There are still more than 20 of these plans available, priced from $499,000 to $634,000. The 1,200-square-foot home features a study/office area separated from the living and dining space by a frosted-glass partition; an optional Murphy bed converts the space to a guest room. A dream-inducing river view dominates the roomy bedroom; white marble countertops and tile lend elegance to the bath. A large utility room includes built-in storage.
On the 16th floor, one of the development's "premium" units showcases the luxurious side of the John Ross. The master suite alone is the size of the studio loft, and the view from the bedroom encompasses the river, mountains and city lights. There's also a walk-in closet and a marbled master bath. The kitchen features an upgrade package with Viking appliances; the second bedroom can function equally well as a den or office. Fourteen premium units, priced from $914,000 to $1,024,000, are available on floors 17 to 26.
On the south side of the 31-story tower, a separate but attached four-story block houses the development's Park Homes, which offer the best value per square foot in the complex.
More than a dozen Park Homes are still available, many with one or two bedrooms, studies and gas fireplaces in the living rooms. Some plans also include a separate den.
These lower-floor units will also feature good-sized outdoor terraces once the two park blocks immediately west of the John Ross are finished. Available Park Homes range in size from about 1,064 to 2,300 square feet; prices are from $684,000 to $1,024,000.
Pablo Chauvin is looking forward to moving into his first home, a 775-square-foot fourth-floor loft at the John Ross. A recent Oregon State University graduate, Chauvin saved for the down payment on his $255,000 condo by sharing an apartment with several roommates. Now the long wait is almost over.
"I was attracted by the price, the investment potential, the location and the streetcar," Chauvin said. "I'm very excited by the opportunity to live somewhere brand-new, to be the first person to move in. I'm also excited because I'll be living by myself -- no roommates."
Resources
Realty Trust Group, The Discovery Center, 0680 S.W. Bancroft St.; 503-222-7788;
www.thesouthwaterfront.com
Jeff Kuechle is a Portland-based freelance writer. He can be reached at
jeffkuechle@comcast.net.
http://www.oregonlive.com/oregonian/...830.xml&coll=7
Prev
Linear Mode
