Metropolitan Lofts offers enticing move in incentives

[David]

http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/apa/1112982559.html

As a special thank you to our new residents and to help you enjoy your stay, we are offering your choice of gifts when you sign a new 12-month lease with us.*

Choose 2 of these:  Membership for 1 to Gold's Gym, Mini Laptop Computer, Custom painting of up to 3 accent walls of your new loft, 8G iPod Touch, $250 gift certificate to Dr. Clayman's Miracle Spa, Professional flat-screen TV installation, XBox 360 Arcade game console.

1 of these:  26'' Flat-screen TV, Sony Playstation 3, Washer & Dryer rental, Comcast Cable Digital Starter Package, Carnival Cruise for 2 to The Bahamas, Garage Parking space, Nintendo Wii Game Console. 

Our small exclusive community is located in a reclaimed industrial building in the Downtown Historic District.  The concrete floors and ceilings, exposed duct work, and Scandinavian kitchens give these lofts a truly modern feel, unique in Jacksonville

I'm sure from a financial perspective; this isn't anything more than offering half off first month's rent, but it's a very effective ad. I'm having to resist the urge to move in just for the ps3!

[Shwaz]

I've seen these adds too. I looked at a loft there 2 years ago. I didn't really like the location, the views that they advertised were photoshop'd and fake and the overall building wasn't very impressive.

This new offer does make it more enticing though.

[David]

You didn't like the layout or aesthetics of the place? I thought the NY industrial loft style was pretty cool. I'll agree with you on the location though, it's in a forgotten part of downtown, but that's why they make it so inclusive with all the services they offer.  It has this cool warehouse district grit to it. Either way, I’m not trying to sell it, I just think that part of downtown could have its own neighborhood vibe going if more were to develop. It has the groundwork laid out.

I wonder if their occupancy rate is low and that's why they're pushing this...

[Shwaz]

I like loft style apartments and there were some in San Marco that I really liked. Each loft was on it own floor with accompanying lobby. I really liked the feel of that.

I just think that part of downtown could have its own neighborhood vibe going if more were to develop. It has the groundwork laid out.

Agreed. Maybe if the Ritz theater had more to offer and some retail / entertainment would open up it could be a nice little section and add to the overall downtown attraction.

Maybe it could be like the old meat packing district in NYC.. err well without actual meat packing plants.

[Lunican]

2006 Downtown Living Tour:
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/258/

[fsu813]

i've been inside a couple times. they are pretty nice. they also serve free breakfast on the weekends.

[Deuce]

If I was a young 20-something hipster, I would find these incredibly cool. As it stands, I'm an approaching-middle-age 30-something hipster, so I'll stick with my fee-simple home.

By Scandinavian kitchens, are we talking Ikea or Poggenpohl. Cause there's a huge difference! Basically, are they cheap home depot jobs or luxury touches throughout.

[JaguarReign]

I wish they were selling instead of leasing because I would probably seriously consider this. I feel in this economy it would be better for me to buy then rent.

[TREE4309]

If I was a young 20-something hipster, I would find these incredibly cool.

Right...except I don't know too many 20-something hipsters that are willing to spend $1100/month to live here.

[CrysG]

The cost is one of the main reason's I don't let the husband talk me into moving downtown. For $1100 in rent I can get a 4bd/3bt house in Oakleaf.

[obie1]

There needs to be more going on to demand that high of rent. But it always comes back to the chicken and the egg, right?

[David]

You're paying for the sleek-ultra cool-industrial theme there. The rent doesn't seem too outrageous, esp when you compare the sq footage of the lofts to 11e, carling etc. Infact it might be cheaper than those two.

[Shwaz]

You're paying for the sleek-ultra cool-industrial theme there. The rent doesn't seem too outrageous, esp when you compare the sq footage of the lofts to 11e, carling etc. Infact it might be cheaper than those two.

I thought they were fairly priced too but comparing to 11E and the Carling... Metro doesn't have near the amenities.

[tpot]

The homeless situation is ridiculous.........Hemming Plaza on the weekends is overrun..........the main library a disgrace..............the pocket park across from the library on main, a "huge joke"  another homeless camp.  I'm just waiting for them to start putting tents up and building bomb fires over there.................

[mtraininjax]

There needs to be more going on to demand that high of rent. But it always comes back to the chicken and the egg, right?

1661 in Riverside has a number of units under 1000 with more amenities, 1 block from the river, publix, al's (no MRP), and will have more with more foreclosures of units. Why again would anyone live in the Met lofts?

Rents are depressed because of all that is on the market. People who own condos or townhouses are decimated by the decline in the market and the empty units. Just think if you are in a condo with 99 other units, and only half are filled, who pays for the maintenance and insurance and emergency funds, you do, not the renters. Its a bad situation out there for condo and townhouses that are new and not fully filled.