Bauer Lofts | 57 m | 15 fl | U/C

[Tanik]

Anyone have any opinions on the condo fees at the Bauer. They're still advertised at around 26 cents/foot. That was the rate set for the original occupancy in 2007. I understand that by law the developer has to pick up the tab for any shortfall in the first year. However, since 144Park is anticipating 39 cents/foot, I'd be surprised if the Bauer fees don't skyrocket in the second year. Is the developer saying anything to those that purchased at the Bauer? I know that 144Park will have a concierge, but one thing they won't have that the Bauer does have, is a sump pump that will need to run almost constantly to keep water out of the lower garage levels since they are below the water table. At 144Park, they are designing the place so it won't have to be that low in the ground.

[urbandreamer]

Drive by shooting...:p





That tea place @Allen and Caroline (beside the art store) is moving into Bauer Lofts retail part, owner said developer says mid December...but imho, it may be later.

[Duke-Of-Waterloo]

Originally Posted by urbandreamer

Drive by shooting...:p

No pun intended!

Originally Posted by urbandreamer

That tea place @Allen and Caroline (beside the art store) is moving into Bauer Lofts retail part, owner said developer says mid December...but imho, it may be later.

Really? Even with the Williams Coffee Pub slated to open in Bauer as well?

[mpd618]

Originally Posted by Duke-Of-Waterloo

Really? Even with the Williams Coffee Pub slated to open in Bauer as well?

Distinctly Tea sells loose tea. I see no problem there.

[Kdub]

I had my inspection last week.

There is still a lot to be done in the building. I hope that they finish up quickly so that the condo gets registered. The occupancy fees are not really that exciting to pay.. We didn't buy a loft to spend money on rent.

There were things still missing in my unit, and the pocket doors were not set up well. They all need to be fixed.

My main concern is visitor parking. They give you a handbook when you have your first inspection and in the handbook it says that there are absolutely no visitor parking spaces for the residents.

Can the residents work out some sort of deal with the commercial/retail businesses after hours? like 9pm? I do not think this is fair after paying so much money that there are no visitor spaces.

I wonder if bauer lofts had special zoning provisions for this, because I am sure the City of Waterloo Zoning by-law requires visitor parking.

Any thoughts?

[rapid_business]

Originally Posted by Kdub

I had my inspection last week.

There is still a lot to be done in the building. I hope that they finish up quickly so that the condo gets registered. The occupancy fees are not really that exciting to pay.. We didn't buy a loft to spend money on rent.

Things were things still missing in my unit, and the pocket doors were not set up well. They all need to be fixed.

My main concern is visitor parking. They give you a handbook when you have your first inspection and in the handbook it says that there are absolutely no visitor parking spaces for the residents.

Can the residents work out some sort of deal with the commercial/retail businesses after hours? like 9pm? I do not think this is fair after paying so much money that there are no visitor spaces.

I wonder if bauer lofts had special zoning provisions for this, because I am sure the City of Waterloo Zoning by-law requires visitor parking.

Any thoughts?

Yeah, the requirements for visitor parking are usually ridiculously high. They can be reduced, but none? really? None even underground? If not, it looks like they'll be using the street nearby. (which isn't that bad...)

As per the pocket doors, let me tell you as someone who did finishing carpentry for years, pocket doors always have problems. A pain to install, and an even bigger pain to maintain. The worst part is often the cheap door/track/etc. they use.

[bauer123]

Last time I talked to the developer about this he told me one thing they may do is let people park underground in P1 (which is commercial) but that it will cost them money to do so. Which he didn't specify how much that would be.

My advice is just to park in the parking lots because unless you park overnight no one will notice unless they got a guy out there monitoring it.

Worst comes to worst you can park in the parkade overnight for 5$ but have to be out by 8am.

[Duke-Of-Waterloo]

I foresee big issues with people parking in the Senior's Community Centre parking lot across the street - especially those going to the retail portion.

[Kdub]

This is a quote from the Bauer Lofts Owner's Manual:
"There is no visitor parking at the Bauer Lofts. All parking (except for the parking units owned by the suite owners) is designated for the use of the merchants (and their employees/patrons) at the commercial property only. If you are having guests (including overnight) you must arrange for them to park OFFSITE or they will be ticketed or towed at their own expense"

[notmyfriends]

Here is a tip - last I checked, Sun Life doesn't ticket their surface lots outside of office hours.

[dpks]

Originally Posted by Tanik

Anyone have any opinions on the condo fees at the Bauer. They're still advertised at around 26 cents/foot. That was the rate set for the original occupancy in 2007. I understand that by law the developer has to pick up the tab for any shortfall in the first year. However, since 144Park is anticipating 39 cents/foot, I'd be surprised if the Bauer fees don't skyrocket in the second year. Is the developer saying anything to those that purchased at the Bauer? I know that 144Park will have a concierge, but one thing they won't have that the Bauer does have, is a sump pump that will need to run almost constantly to keep water out of the lower garage levels since they are below the water table. At 144Park, they are designing the place so it won't have to be that low in the ground.

Doesn't 144Park have more amenities than Bauer? e.g. In addition to the concierge, they have a guest suite, theatre room, and gym change rooms.

Plus Bauer has the commercial/retail tenants to help with the fees.

We'll see though, who knows what'll happen in the second year.

[Bauer_buyer]

Just had my PDI at the Bauer complex.
This was the second inspection and I was quite pleased with the quality of work though I had to be firm about a few things....their contact exec. was very co operative and understanding agreeing almost 100% about the points I raised.
My unit is beautiful and the layout one of the best, in the building.
A new interim occupancy date June 9th will replace June 5th...delays delays delays.
For those who are fretting and know nothing about the details of the fees et al.
...the heat pump will certainly decrease my gas/heat and light/hydro...in fact all the light fixtures in the hallways are CFL's. We don't expect the fees to "skyrocket" as was suggested.

[Tanik]

Originally Posted by Bauer_buyer

Just had my PDI at the Bauer complex.

Did they indicate when registration would happen? ie. How long will you be paying occupancy costs?

[Bauer_buyer]

Originally Posted by Tanik

Did they indicate when registration would happen? ie. How long will you be paying occupancy costs?

They suggested that perhaps by November maybe longer

[Tanik]

On the issue of visitor parking, is anyone who owns a unit at the Bauer taking this issue up with the city. I thought that under a development agreement the developer would have to provide "n" number of parking spaces for visitors, where "n" is proportional to the number of residential units in the complex. They shouldn't be able to come along at this point and say "sorry no visitor parking". They should have planned for this parking all along.

On a separate "construction" issue, is there anyone here that understands the construction aspects of having the balcony/terrace for one unit over the living space for another unit. I look at how the units on the 12th and higher floors step back from the unit below, meaning that rain/snow will be sitting on the ceiling of the unit below. What's keeping the water/moisture on the upper side of the concrete from becoming an issue on the underside of the concrete forming the ceiling of the unit below?

[rapid_business]

Originally Posted by Tanik

On the issue of visitor parking, is anyone who owns a unit at the Bauer taking this issue up with the city. I thought that under a development agreement the developer would have to provide "n" number of parking spaces for visitors, where "n" is proportional to the number of residential units in the complex. They shouldn't be able to come along at this point and say "sorry no visitor parking". They should have planned for this parking all along.

If the city approved the building permit, it passed their desk already and this issue would have been discussed. I don't know the details of the project, but this won't be "new news" to them. Worst case scenario, parking in the adjacent street is fine. But I don't know how the commercial, etc. parking is all worked out there.

On a separate "construction" issue, is there anyone here that understands the construction aspects of having the balcony/terrace for one unit over the living space for another unit. I look at how the units on the 12th and higher floors step back from the unit below, meaning that rain/snow will be sitting on the ceiling of the unit below. What's keeping the water/moisture on the upper side of the concrete from becoming an issue on the underside of the concrete forming the ceiling of the unit below?

The same as would be on a roof. Adequate vapour barrier,etc. would be expected.

[kauffer]

Originally Posted by Bauer_buyer

For those who are fretting and know nothing about the details of the fees et al.
...the heat pump will certainly decrease my gas/heat and light/hydro...in fact all the light fixtures in the hallways are CFL's. We don't expect the fees to "skyrocket" as was suggested.

Unfortunately, pre-construction condo fees are about as accurate as pre-construction occupancy dates. Both are factors that potential buyers look at, so developers always try to make them as attractive as possible. 26 cents / sf for a building of that size falls into the "insanely low" category. You should probably plan for something in the low/mid 40 cents / sf range after the reserve fund study is done.

[Kdub]

.

[Kdub]

[QUOTE=Kdub;4290400]

Originally Posted by Tanik

On the issue of visitor parking, is anyone who owns a unit at the Bauer taking this issue up with the city. I thought that under a development agreement the developer would have to provide "n" number of parking spaces for visitors, where "n" is proportional to the number of residential units in the complex. They shouldn't be able to come along at this point and say "sorry no visitor parking". They should have planned for this parking all along.

That's right they should of... Can anyone get their hands on a copy of the actual Zoning By-law that was passed with all the special provisions for the site? I found the planning report online, but I am not sure if this is what council approved. I can tell you that the planning report does say there is approximately 77 extra parking spaces available on site (this is accounting for all parking for residential, businesses and commercial units). I am not sure if this is the most up to date report.... that Zoning By-law should tell us... Anyone here work at the City of Waterloo?

Has anyone talked to peak mgmt or lawrence development about this?

[bauer123]

I brought it up to Lawrence Developments a month ago and was told no visitor parking was going be available and they said there was never a plan for it.

Would be nice if we could look into this more