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Buyers interested in the “soft loft” units at Kinetic Lofts (part of the larger Rainbo Village project at 4814 N. Clark St) should plan to visit the new models unveiled recently at the sales center.
What’s a soft loft, you ask? Typically, they’re new-construction deliveries outfitted with all the standard loft trappings: overhead ductwork, exposed brick, large windows and high ceilings. Metropolitan Development Enterprises, Rainbo Village’s developer, contends that soft lofts offer the most attractive features of loft living.
Filled with fancy items from Urbanest, a local furniture company, the model units were designed by Heather Fuchs, the developer’s interior designer. Through Metropolitan, Urbanest is offering a 15 percent discount to buyers at Rainbo Village.
The two five-story Kinetic Lofts buildings house 44 units each; the north building is 45 percent sold, and the south building is 85 percent sold (with deliveries underway), according to a recent media release.
Buyers have 10 floor plans to choose from, starting in the $250s and topping out in the $460s.
The third phase of Rainbo Village (nine townhomes, eight duplexes and 16 condos) is moving forward alongside other retail and residential projects. The site, a former skating rink on the border between Andersonville and Uptown, is absolutely drenched in neighborhood history. Back in October, Yo wondered about the appeal of this neck of the woods. Andersonville South – has its time come at last?
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{ 12 comments }
As I understand it, a “soft loft” may or may not have exposed brick walls, but it will have high ceilings and open floor plan. However, some or all of the rooms may have carpet rather than wood flooring and the bedroom walls may go entirely to the ceiling instead of only 3/4 of the way.
A “soft loft” is a space with few of the characteristics of a true loft.
The phrase was coined as lofts evolved into something more palatable to the more traditional buyer.
Most glaringly absent is the expansive openness that originally characterized lofts. In its place are walls, walls, walls carving up the space into a series of unloftlike areas dedicated to specific functions.
Is there now any difference between a “loft” and a high-ceilinged apartment?
So if a project takes the time to characterize its units as “soft lofts,” there’s probably one or more lofty aspects that are missing?
I’d call them units with some loft-like decorative touches.
Look at the floor plans for this development. These are very traditional apartment layouts.
At New Homes Magazine we’ve always taken the position that only a conversion from a non-residential to a residential use can truly qualify as a loft apartment. That, despite the fact that some new construction lofts have done an excellent job of recreating the aesthetics of mill-timber loft buildings.
I haven’t seen this development and have no brief against it other than the fact that it’s stretched the word “loft” well beyond anything that resonates with me.
Sorry, guys, but the most attractive feature of loft living is expansive, open space – a 14 x 14.5 foot living / dining room doesn’t cut it in that regard.
The marketers might want to consider whether spinning the loft concept in this fashion hurts them more than it helps.
I really don’t think you can call any new construction buildings “lofts” of any kind. Lofts were a building type developed for manufacturing decades ago. I understand the concept of a “soft loft”, but I think the new construction “lofts” are actually “faux lofts” since they don’t have anything to do with inhabiting an old manufacturing loft.
Manufacturing and warehousing, that is!
I think this is a smart concept for the Urbanest store. However, I find the store a bit “boring” in it’s offerings and prices are okay for the quality.
Think Crate and Barrel with a nod to Andersonville.
It’s an attractive store and good fit for the Andersonville neighborhood overall.
(Disclosure… I did buy a solid cherry mirror from there).
Oh, and Kinetic Rainbow soft loft people… round cabinet pull knobs ain’t modern.
As for new loft concepts:
1610 S Halsted is one of the few new construction timber loft buildings in the last couple years that pulls it off… even though its still fake.
Debate of ’soft-loft’ aside -
Let it be known that I am a owner of a unit in the North Building (Phase 2). The 22+ units in Phase 2 which have been sold are all up to 8 months behind schedule for delivery. This is not a big surprise for new construction – however – the Developer has told us that we will know our close date (the first 3 were changed last minute) AFTER they can get a Revised Construction Schedule.
Note that I have been waiting for said Revised Schedule since EARLY November and I have YET to have my closing date for this project.
The developer is treating its buyers both unprofessionally and with a notable amount of disrespect.
Maybe it’s time to strike back. It’s getting rediculous. I don’t know about you, but I can’t continue to live out of boxes awaiting them to finish their work which should have been done several months ago. Excuses, excuses, and more excuses. Sounds to me like money problems. We’d be better off getting our money back and going elsewhere to strike a deal…let’s face it, prices are dropping and other developers are desparate.
I vote we start a class action suit to get our money back. The least we should do is go to the newspapers… This is ridiculous…
So where do we go from here? Everytime I ask for money back they refer me to their attorneys Berg and Berg. Now the Attorney won’t even return the call. What gives? These folks are not good people and some could consider them thieves preying on peoples downpayments.
I understand your frustration and waiting for a unit delivery is a real pain. I’m in my unit (north) and it’s been almost 2 years waiting. I very happy with the development but agree communication was very bad. Unfortunately, if it’s not written in your contract to void and null if unsatisfied (date you and your lawyer agreed on) of completion you’re probably stuck. Hang in there and I hope your unit will be next for delivery.
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