Calgary Condo Talk

[road_runner]

Not sure if this is the right thread for this, but it seemed to make sense.

Does anybody have experience renting out a furnished executive condo (i.e. rent >$2500/month)? My wife and I are planning to leave Calgary for 1 to 1.5 years starting in early 2016 so just starting to think about renting out place out and deciding between using a property mgmt company or renting it ourselves. Obviously pros and cons to both but interested to hear from anybody who has done it. Thanks!

[flipstah]

Originally Posted by Electrical Storm

As per the Park Point brochure and price list (from the VIP pre-opening event), unit 04 ranges from $286k to $323k (+GST). Also worth noting is that units 04 do not come with parking.

$323k and no parking? That's ridiculous lol.

Originally Posted by geotag277

Only problem with the 04 plan is having to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

Originally Posted by speedog

Where does one put stuff?

There's like absolutely no storage space in this floor plan.

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Nonsense. There are at least 3sq ft behind the couch.

Originally Posted by *Stardust*

I am not a plan of that floorplan. I agree with you regarding the lack of storage, but I also dislike the living room space. The wall where the TV is placed can't be any wider than 3 feet. That would severely limit the size of TV you could put up and the size of the media console/TV stand, speakers.

Plan 1 and 6 are the best one bedroom plans.

Originally Posted by suburbia

While I don't get the value proposition, to be fair to this unit, there is storage in the deep closet that has the laundry. This is also a large'ish alcove immediately to the right when you enter, where you could put in a wardrobe.

If the door to the bathroom was a sliding door, the vanity in the bathroom could have completely been on the wall opposite the shower, allowing for a second door from the bedroom. I'm sure this would be a pinch tricky, but could probably be jigged to make it work.

Regarding the wall for the TV, I'd agree that's a challenge.

Now that you all mention it, the storage thing is a big bust. I'd assume that there's a storage locker in the parkade to compensate. There's also the balcony. I toss my hockey gear there; it airs it out and in winter, kills the smell.

The couch and the TV positioning is definitely a big deal. I think the max size is a 50inch maybe? That sucks.

It's either city view or big-ass TV.

Originally Posted by red_179

If the downtown view is a major selling point to you, know that your view of the Calgary Tower and surrounding area will likely be obstructed once Tower 2 of Park Point goes up.

Ugh. Duly noted.

[Electrical Storm]

Originally Posted by flipstah

$323k and no parking? That's ridiculous lol.

Ugh. Duly noted.

The value isn't really there for those 04 units... your view will be directly into tower 2, you don't get parking and the price isn't significantly lower than the next unit up (unit 01, which is 60 sq. ft. larger), which does include parking.

If unit 04 is appealing to you though, I'd have a look at some 1 beds units at Drake (like this current listing). This unit does come with parking, a storage locker, and well located - along quieter streets than Park Point.

[flipstah]

Originally Posted by Electrical Storm

The value isn't really there for those 04 units... your view will be directly into tower 2, you don't get parking and the price isn't significantly lower than the next unit up (unit 01, which is 60 sq. ft. larger), which does include parking.

If unit 04 is appealing to you though, I'd have a look at some 1 beds units at Drake (like this current listing). This unit does come with parking, a storage locker, and well located - along quieter streets than Park Point.

I'm primarily after the view, which I didn't know was going to be blocked by Tower 2.

[Full Mountain]

Originally Posted by Chadillaccc

The street level of Park Point is actually not too bad. Definitely love the idea of another cafe facing on Central Memorial Park!

One can only hope that the cycle track can help buffer the traffic.

[Electrical Storm]

Originally Posted by flipstah

I'm primarily after the view, which I didn't know was going to be blocked by Tower 2.

Thoughts on that Drake unit I posted? I know the view isn't incredible, but the location trumps the view in this case IMO.

[Full Mountain]

Originally Posted by speedog

Where does one put stuff?

There's like absolutely no storage space in this floor plan.

Re: Storage
Definitely a challenge, but there are possibilities, additional storage can be added at the head of the bed and in the nook by the entrance.

Re: AV
If you put the TV on the wall you could poke a hole to the closet in the bedroom to have all the cable boxes, etc. with an IR blaster you'd just be limited on the size of the TV. Alternatively you could put in a projector behind the couch and have the AV stack back there. Advantage to the projector is that you wouldn't risk bumping the TV on the way to/from the balcony.

[flipstah]

Originally Posted by Electrical Storm

Thoughts on that Drake unit I posted? I know the view isn't incredible, but the location trumps the view in this case IMO.

I like the color palette and that location is primo for 17th Ave shenanigans.

I have a feeling it'll be a bit noisy since you're on the lower floor. I'd pick a smaller couch haha.

Looks good.

[Electrical Storm]

Originally Posted by flipstah

I like the color palette and that location is primo for 17th Ave shenanigans.

I have a feeling it'll be a bit noisy since you're on the lower floor. I'd pick a smaller couch haha.

Looks good.

I like it too, its bright and modern. Good points on the noise, though south facing units at Park will likely have the same issue from traffic on 12th.

[flipstah]

Originally Posted by Electrical Storm

I like it too, its bright and modern. Good points on the noise, though south facing units at Park will likely have the same issue from traffic on 12th.

It's quieter the higher you go but it'll be similar to white noise. It's there but meh.

Does Drake have central A/C? For that pricepoint, I sure hope so.

[Electrical Storm]

Originally Posted by flipstah

It's quieter the higher you go but it'll be similar to white noise. It's there but meh.

Does Drake have central A/C? For that pricepoint, I sure hope so.

Not sure about A/C...Realtors often neglect to include that detail in listings.

EDIT - Checked out some other listings from the same building and no mention of it anywhere... I don't think the building has A/C, but still not 100% sure.

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by Full Mountain

Re: Storage
Definitely a challenge, but there are possibilities, additional storage can be added at the head of the bed and in the nook by the entrance.

Re: AV
If you put the TV on the wall you could poke a hole to the closet in the bedroom to have all the cable boxes, etc. with an IR blaster you'd just be limited on the size of the TV. Alternatively you could put in a projector behind the couch and have the AV stack back there. Advantage to the projector is that you wouldn't risk bumping the TV on the way to/from the balcony.

Hmmm ... wouldn't putting all of your electronics in your closet create more of a storage challenge? Do you think they made the wall between the TV and the closet extra thick just for kicks?

How are you going to get more storage at the head of the bed given the size of the room?

Originally Posted by flipstah

There's also the balcony. I toss my hockey gear there; it airs it out and in winter, kills the smell.

They do this in the third world all the time (IE use balconies for storage). It creates a certain ambiance.

[Ramsayfarian]

Originally Posted by Full Mountain

Re: Storage
Definitely a challenge, but there are possibilities, additional storage can be added at the head of the bed and in the nook by the entrance.

Re: AV
If you put the TV on the wall you could poke a hole to the closet in the bedroom to have all the cable boxes, etc. with an IR blaster you'd just be limited on the size of the TV. Alternatively you could put in a projector behind the couch and have the AV stack back there. Advantage to the projector is that you wouldn't risk bumping the TV on the way to/from the balcony.

Other than condoms, I'm not sure what else would fit at the head of the bed. A project might work if you could get the room dark enough or just want to watch TV once the sun goes down.

If one is short enough they could suspend a cargo net from the ceiling and stow their gear there.

[Boris2k7]

Really dislike the placement of the TV in that mockup, right next to the sliding door to the balcony. Even if you take for granted that you won't be going in and out most of the time, it's something I find off-putting.

Also, someone I know in Colours makes do with projector, which they hide away in a built-in shelf. That said, I have no idea about their TV viewing habits.

Additionally, apartments like this suggest that you won't have need for a computer desk. Fine for some people that I know who get by with notebooks and tablets. Not ideal for myself as a PC Gamer.

[Spring2008]

Looks like planning taking place for Grosvenor's Beltline project at 17th av and 4th st sw. Also mentions acquisition of an additional downtown parcel.

http://renx.ca/ivanhoe-oy-vet-robert-duteau-joins-grosvenor-americas/

[Full Mountain]

Originally Posted by suburbia

Hmmm ... wouldn't putting all of your electronics in your closet create more of a storage challenge? Do you think they made the wall between the TV and the closet extra thick just for kicks?

2 thoughts:

1. I don't know how many boxes you have associated with your tv, but I only have 1 for cable and a chromecast. Fact is right now I don't have a shelf by my tv due to the width of the room, everything sits behind the TV on the wall mount, same could work here.

2. re the wall, so the straight shot is out, maybe you go through beside the door and into the framed wall. That is if you have more equipment than in #1

Originally Posted by suburbia

How are you going to get more storage at the head of the bed given the size of the room?

They do this in the third world all the time (IE use balconies for storage). It creates a certain ambiance.

Originally Posted by Ramsayfarian

Other than condoms, I'm not sure what else would fit at the head of the bed. A project might work if you could get the room dark enough or just want to watch TV once the sun goes down.

If one is short enough they could suspend a cargo net from the ceiling and stow their gear there.

Cupboards and shelving can pretty easily be incorporated over the head of the bed. This would allow for at least an 18" deep cabinet on either side of the bed for folded clothes storage, also one area I forgot to mention is under the bed can be utilized via drawers or slide under storage.

I would expect this along with all the other units in this building to come with a storage locker for those bigger items, additionally there would be a bike locker for bikes, so I'm missing what storage would be needed.

It should be noted we (myself, my wife and daughter) live in a 650 sq. ft. house with 2 built in closets. We have found spots for storage everywhere we can, sure I have a garage but 90% of the stuff in there could be stored in a storage locker. Our basement has even less storage than upstairs and we use it on a daily basis (it has 2 bedrooms, bathroom, laundry and a family room). Floor plans rarely work out as expected from looking at drawings.

My theory is if you have space to store it you'll keep it, if you don't have space you don't buy it or get rid of it.

[Electrical Storm]

Duplicate post from the main thread:

Updated renderings and floorplans for N3 are available on the N3 FB page.

[speedog]

Originally Posted by Electrical Storm

Duplicate post from the main thread:

Updated renderings and floorplans for N3 are available on the N3 FB page.

Link no workee?

[J-D]

Originally Posted by speedog

Link no workee?

https://www.facebook.com/n3condo

[geotag277]

Originally Posted by Boris2k7

Additionally, apartments like this suggest that you won't have need for a computer desk. Fine for some people that I know who get by with notebooks and tablets. Not ideal for myself as a PC Gamer.

I think you can make it work by putting a desk/office area in the nook by the entrance. Pretty sure a full size desktop/tower set up could work in that spot. Bonus points for being far from the bedroom for when the S/O is sleeping.