Interview with a resident of: Elder Shirt Lofts

» What loft development are you a resident of?

Elder Shirt Lofts.

» Is your development mostly owner occupied or rental units?

Mostly owner occupied.

» The term 'loft' has changed over the years. It used to resurrect images of a wide-open industrial warehouse with unfinished floors and exposed utilities, but has since been refined. There are now a lot of pseudo-loft spaces and loft-style apartments and condos coming online. What is your definition of a loft?

Our definition of a loft is a wide-open industrial warehouse with unfinished floors and exposed utilities. Our floors are concrete. We have exposed wood on the ceiling and brick and wood for walls with very limited sheetrock walls.

» How long have you lived there? What is it like living Downtown?

We have lived in our loft since August 2003. It is wonderful living downtown, we really enjoy it. The best part of living downtown is the ability to walk to restaurants, sporting events and being closer to the grocery store. We particularly enjoy having people come over before and after the games.

» Can you describe your first few days or months in your new loft?

Our first few months in the loft were spent exploring downtown restaurants and bars and pubs. We also explored different places to do business (i.e. cleaners, dentists, etc.)

» How long did you consider buying your loft before actually making it a reality?

We considered it about two years. It was a lifestyle change from a 4000-square-foot ranch on three acres in Wildwood to no yard and to a 2900-square-foot loft.

» Would you have considered living Downtown 10 years ago? If you knew at that time that this would be your home, would you have believed it?

No on both counts. St. Louis downtown has changed so much in the last 10 years.

» Do you have any thoughts or predictions on how the area might evolve in the next 10 years?

We believe the area will continue to grow with more residents and things to do.

» Are there any specific projects or rumors of certain developments that are exciting to you? What would you like to see in the immediate vicinity of your loft?

It is exciting that Straubs may be opening a location downtown (even though the one in central west end is only three miles away) and the City Groceries opening soon in the Bell lofts. It is also exciting about the condos on the river and the new ballpark. I would like to see more restaurants and perhaps jazz clubs.

» What do you think makes lofts so desirable? Will the momentum continue? Is loft-style, urban living here to stay?

I think loft style living is so desirable in that it allows young people to buy their first home near where they are working in the downtown area. It also allows empty nesters the freedom to travel at will without concerns of home ownership (i.e. lawns, security, etc.).

» What were you looking for in a loft? What attracted you to Downtown?

We were looking for something unique with lots of open space. The Elder Shirt Loft is one of the last wood structure buildings to be built out and one of the few with an underground garage. Our particular unit is on the top floor and we have a two-story unit with a private roof top deck. We looked at several lofts and this one most fit our needs.

» What is your advice to new arrivals or prospective residents to Downtown? What would you tell them to expect?

I would advise new arrivals and prospective buyers to join the numerous downtown organizations and get involved. There are numerous homeowners' associations and organizations that promote downtown living and shopping.

» What are the names of a few downtown organizations they can become involved with?

There is a Downtown St. Louis Residence Assocation (DSLRA) and Metropolis St. Louis. [ http://www.dslra.org ]   [ http://www.mstl.org ]

» How did you prepare for the move? Were there any unforeseen experiences?

We sold our home in Wildwood and almost all of the furnishings and started all over with more contemporary furniture. We also sold "everything" in the garage. Walking across the street to the Missouri Bar for lunch the day of move in was a treat.

» How was purchasing a loft different from purchasing a home?

Since my husband and I are both in real estate with Prudential Alliance, Realtors® in Chesterfield, I think it is very much like building a "custom" home. You get to pick out your cabinets, counter tops, where you want the walls, what type of walls, lighting fixtures, etc. Most of the lofts already have the infrastructure in place so you can't really move the kitchen and baths, but everything else is yours to design. The tax incentives are a major inducement. Not having to pay real estate taxes for 10 years saves you a lot of money that could be invested in your loft.

» What is your favorite loft feature or most appealing amenity?

Being downtown and the openness of the space.

» Loft dwellers are perceived as young, childless professionals and empty nesters. Is this an accurate depiction of you or your neighbors?

Generally speaking this an accurate depiction, BUT there are many exceptions. There are some couples with children in our building. One is small and the other is a freshman at SLU High School.

» Do you feel living in a loft Downtown is a reflection of your personality?

YES, in some respects, but not everyone is the same downtown. It is very diverse, and that is one reason we love it.

» What are loft owners not telling everyone else? Is there a disadvantage to living Downtown?

One of the first questions people ask is "Where do you grocery shop?" The grocery stores are closer than they were in Wildwood. The city noise is no louder than in certain sections of Chesterfield. We live close to St. Patricks' center and are not bothered by panhandlers. I'm not sure there are hidden secrets...

» Are there any myths about living in a loft Downtown that you would like to dispel?

YES, that somehow we are in an "unsafe" area.