Here are some 2011 sales figures for luxury units in popular buildings. If you see similar units asking for far more or far less, this information can be helpful. We’re primarily interested in $1M+ units, but others will be mentioned.

The Metropolitan

The Metropolitan, 165 Sixth Ave, 36 ultra-luxury units atop the Omni Hotel between the attached Petco Park and the Convention Center. Includes the expected perks plus the amenities of the Omni. Four units sold in the last four months with prices ranging from $1,099,000 to $1,750,000. Three units are available at prices up to $2,295,000.

1325 Pacific Hwy "Bayside"

 
1325 Pacific Highway, Bayside by Bosa Development. With 35 recent sales, it is one of the most active luxury buildings downtown. Prices ranged from $480,000 to $1,482,000 with eight units in excess of $1M. Fifteen units are available currently with prices from $479,000 to $3,478,000, mostly over $1M. It’s a true luxury building from a well respected builder but there have been concerns about noise from frequent trains passing by that could affect the lower floors. Take time to see the neighborhood for yourself.

1262 Kettner - Sapphire Tower

1262 Kettner Blvd, Sapphire Tower in the Columbia District between Little Italy and downtown is a nice walking neighborhood with friendly restaurants and an active arts community. ArtWalk is a festive annual event which fills the Little Italy streets for a weekend. Eight units have recently sold from $455,000 to $1,400,000 with two over $1M. Currently there are twelve available from $450,000 to $2,550,000 with four above $1M.

550 Front Street - Pinnacle Tower

550 Front Street, the Pinnacle Museum Tower soars 35 floors with 218 units of luxury. Close to the Gaslamp District, Convention Center and Horton Plaza it is an ideal urban location. Recent sales of five units ran from $300,000 to $1,575,000 including three in excess of $1M. At this writing there are nine units listed with prices from $395,000 to $1,980,000, with more than half over $1M.

555 Front St - Horizons

555 Front Street “Horizons” is a pair of 25 story towers in the Marina District, with 211 luxury units. In addition to the usual comforts in this Bosa Development building, it includes a central soft water unit (very helpful in San Diego). Sold units ran from $475,000 to $2,175,000 recently with one unit over $1M. There are four current listings from $424,999 to $1,380,000 with one above $1M.

San Diego offers great variety and complex choices in the condo market. Luxury downtown condos tend to offer similar comforts but look at one a few blocks away and you are in a very different environment. The downtown core has received many improvements in recent decades and more are on the way. The savvy investor will want to consider past sale prices as well as current asking prices. When you’ve done your online research you’ll want to call CondoDomain at 877-852-6636 to arrange viewing, close the deal and pocket a rebate of thousands … and check in to our San Diego blog when you can!

Information believed correct at time of posting. Your CondoDomain agent can verify details.

Park Loft is comprised of 120 condo units, all with loft style, open floor plans that include a spacious balcony or terrace. The entire building wraps around a charming courtyard, creating an oasis for residents to relax and enjoy year round. Located only one block from Petco Park, living in Park Loft will give new meaning to the term “home game” for Padres baseball fans. Barbecue grills in the common area make it easy to host a pre-game barbecue for friends.

Park Loft in East Village offers views of Petco Park

The industrial brick-and-metal exterior, and high ceilings with exposed ductwork inside, are balanced by high-end appliances and luxurious finishes to create comfortable, modern homes. Flexible, open layouts allow homeowners to get creative, using furnishings to design a space that matches their lifestyle perfectly.

There are five units in Park Loft currently listed for sale, ranging from a cozy 1,113 square foot unit for less than $380,000, to the ultimate entertainer’s home, with ninth-floor views straight onto the field at Petco Park, listed at $1.25 million. All of the residents at Park Loft have access to the best amenities, including a fully-equipped fitness center and a 24-hour concierge.

Contact a San Diego Condodomain agent to arrange a tour of the homes available in Park Loft, or any of the great new condo and loft buildings in downtown San Diego, and save thousands on the commission in the process. Call 877-852-6636 to speak with a representative today!

Every condo or loft community that has a homeowners association will have rules about what type and how many pets are allowed in each condo unit. It is also a good idea to check with the company that provides your homeowner insurance to see if they have breed restrictions before you begin searching for a pet.

You may assume that a small space calls for a small dog. Some small breeds are very energetic, or bred to be very social, and will not do well being left alone inside a condo all day. Conversely, there are larger dog breeds that do not require as much exercise or attention, and will happily nap the day away until it’s time for an evening walk. If you bring home a puppy of any breed, be prepared to spend extra time training your new pet for the first few weeks.

Big or small, there is a dog that will love downtown condo life as much as you do

Among small dogs, a compact Bichon Frise will do far less anxious barking than the petite Chihuahua. Poodles of any size, from tiny toys to tall standard poodles, require only a moderate amount of exercise each day, and due to their high intelligence, will take well to house training. If you want a dog that will be quiet and mellow all day, and then happily join you for a jog after work, either a petite Pug or a Great Dane can be a good choice. The American Kennel Club has a detailed list of the characteristics of almost 200 dog breeds. There is detailed information about how the temperament, exercise and grooming needs of different types of dogs.

Contact a San Diego Condodomain agent to arrange a tour of pet-friendly condos and lofts available in downtown San Diego, and save thousands on the commission in the process. Call 877-852-6636 to speak with a representative today!

Photo courtesy of By Charles Melton (USAG Fort Irwin) (United States Army) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Sales prices for the remaining condos have been reduced from as much as $14,000 to more than $154,000 less than the original asking prices. The discounted prices for the Solara Lofts start at $284,900. The Solara Lofts condominium community is FHA and VA approved, making it easy for eligible homeowners to obtain mortgage financing at great rates.

There are six 2-bedroom/2-bath units, one 2-bedroom/2-bath plus den condo, and one studio unit still available to purchase. The Solara Lofts floorplans include unique features such as moveable kitchen islands and sliding glass partitions that allow homeowners to customize the space in each condo with ease. Eurostar Tilt and Turn windows open to let in cool San Diego breezes. These features add a contemporary European feel, without sacrificing luxury.

Contact a San Diego Condodomain agent to arrange a tour of the discounted condos available in the Solara Lofts, or any of the luxury condo buildings in downtown San Diego, and save thousands on the commission in the process. Call 877-852-6636 to speak with a representative today!

Photo Courtesy of: Tina West, The West Group, Inc.

The East Village is one neighborhood in particular that has flourished due to its arts community.  A recent exciting addition to the scene are the working studios and live/work spaces comprised of three warehouse buildings that make up Space for Art, a concept meant to support and develop local artists and incorporate it into the community.  Space for Art has many ongoing events and classes which can be found on their website. In addition, one of the developments downtown, Icon, is home to a particularly cutting-edge art gallery known as Sushi Contemporary Performance and Visual Arts.  Sushi is known for introducing revolutionary artists and performances within San Diego and abroad.

Bar Basic in East Village hosts an eclectic art event every Tuesday when there isn’t a Padres game; the event is a Bacchanalian feast for the senses featuring local underground and new artists doing live performances, live music, cocktails and artisan pizzas. Artists that have done live painting there in the past include The Dope Show, Shay Davis, Sean Dietrich and Mark Jesinosky among many others.

Over in the Gaslamp, there is a different scene between a mix of art galleries featuring fine art and collectibles and newer local artists bringing a fresh flava to San Diego.  A significant contributor to that scene is the Industry Showroom. Industry Showroom provides office and retail space for artists and local entrepreneurs that share a common interest in a diverse and evolving work space with a young vibe. The Industry Showroom also is highly active in the local arts community providing event space for many ongoing exhibits and performances within the Gaslamp district. One recent gallery that hosted a show there was Sudden Art Gallery in collaboration with the Thumbprint Gallery located in North Park. The event featured over a dozen artists specializing in pop art, comic and visual styles.

The Alexander Salazar Gallery is another notable spot on the map that is also located in the Gaslamp. Alexander Salazar is a Harvard-educated collector and historian who supports local and international artists with exhibits and events at his gallery.

The neighborhood of Little Italy with its international flair is a perfect downtown spot for representing the art scene downtown and it is also where another important player resides in San Diego. Subtext Gallery is the host and supporter to many pop surrealist artists and urban contemporary genres of art. Mark described pop surrealism as a style of art that emerged as a rebellion against the abstract style. It uses a high quality of imagery and derives itself from the tattoo and hot rod scene. Their showroom also houses a mix of collectibles with a focus on cutting edge and unique design.

The downtown lifestyle provides access to many of these exciting new art movements and events. Living downtown you can become a part of the energy and the evolving art scene that is starting to put downtown on the map. No longer known as a sleepy beach town, San Diego will become a cultural mecca in its own right and in its own style.

Come see for yourself by checking out Mark’s blog, or one of the other gallery links for the next event. The first weekend of September, the San Diego Contemporary Art Fair will be held downtown at the Hilton Bayfront. This event draws local and international artists and is the preeminent event of the year.

While you are downtown finding your next piece of artwork to add to your new loft space or condomimium, contact a San Diego Condodomain agent to tour some of these downtown floorplans. Many of these condos would be the perfect canvas for expressing yourself and your own unique lifestyle.

The Quiet Zone will run from the intersection near Harbor Drive and Park Blvd. in the south, up to where the tracks cross Laurel Street in the north. A number of high-rise condominiums and apartment buildings are adjacent to the affected area, including Breeza, Bayside at the Embarcadero, The Grande, Park Place, and Pinnacle Marina Tower. Current and future residents of these communities should be pleased with the reduction in noise provided by the Quiet Zone.

In addition to the Amtrak passenger trains, The Coaster and The Pacific Surfliner, the trolley, and freight trains use the tracks that run parallel to Harbor Drive. Under current regulations, train conductors are required to sound their horns at every intersection. In the tight grid of downtown streets, this results in frequent blasts of sound throughout the day and night. Under the proposed Quiet Zone, conductors would be allowed to use their discretion when approaching an intersection. Additional safety features will also be constructed around intersections of the train tracks and city streets.

The Quiet Zone was approved by the San Diego City Council in June, 2010, and construction should be completed by November, 2011.

If city noise is a factor in your decision to buy a condo in downtown San Diego, contact a San Diego Condodomain agent to discuss Quiet Zone options among the many  San Diego condo and loft communities and save thousands on the commission in the process. Call 877-852-6636 to speak with a representative today!

If you work downtown, or live in one of the many condos or lofts from the Gaslamp Quarter to the East Village, you will need to be prepared to fight a Storm Trooper for a parking spot, or wait in line for coffee behind a group of Twilight vampires. From July 21 through July 24, downtown San Diego will become the center of the pop-culture universe.

1. Leave early. If you must drive around downtown San Diego during the convention, be prepared for extra traffic and fewer available parking spots. Many parking lots may be charging premium rates during Comic-Con. If you can, just walk from your condo to your destination; The costumes of Comic-Con attendees will certainly make a stroll through downtown more interesting!

2. Get out. No, don’t get out of town, get out and enjoy the great people watching!  It will be hard to avoid the hundreds of thousands of visitors roaming the streets of downtown, but grabbing a seat on the patio of  a Gaslamp Quarter restaurant will be the best way to relax and enjoy the parade of fanboys and fangirls in full regalia.

3. Get away. Of course, if you just want to avoid the crowds, you could pay for a nice getaway vacation by renting out your condo or loft in San Diego to a Comic-Con visitor. Contact a Realtor, or home swap service for professional assistance renting out your condo. Some condo and loft owners are listing their units to rent during Comic-Con for up to $400 per night on Craigslist.

4. Become a fan. Hollywood studios know that a getting approval from fans at Comic-Con can start a buzz that will turn a movie into a blockbuster. A-list actors, directors, and writers from television and the movies can be spotted enjoying San Diego nightlife and dining during Comic-Con. The Hard Rock Hotel, with it’s hip atmosphere and close proximity to the San Diego Convention Center, is a great spot to catch a glimpse of celebrities in town for Comic-Con.

5. Branch out. If you already live, work, and play downtown, avoiding the crowds during Comic-Con can be a good excuse to explore the rest of San Diego. The beaches from Ocean Beach to Encinitas will be warm and slightly less crowded than downtown. The old fashioned  mountain town of Julian is just as charming in the summer as it is during the fall apple harvest.

Whether you decide to jump in and mingle with the masses, or escape the hordes of fans, Comic-Con can be a fun and memorable weekend. If you’re looking to buy a condo with a balcony for prime people watching during the next Comic-Con, a San Diego Condodomain agent can help you find the perfect property, and save you thousands on commission in the process. Call 877-852-6636 to speak with a representative today!

Photo courtesy of Comic-Con International

Let’s take a look at how the different neighborhoods downtown are looking based off of data found on Trulia.com.

If we start with the East Village, the median sales price as of 1^st Quarter 2011 was $311,000 which represents an 11.1% drop from last year. The number of sales is up 1% which represents an increase over last week. There are 107 homes for sale and 105 foreclosures.

In the Gaslamp section of downtown, the market is less saturated. The median sales price is $320,000, so that has gone up 18.5% from last year. Inventory is low with only 16 homes for sale and 24 foreclosures.

The Marina section of downtown looks to be a little more stable with a median sales price of $476,000. It hasn’t changed much only going down 0.8% from last year.  The average listing price is $873,935, up 1.2% from the prior week. There are 83 homes for sale and 52 foreclosures with 160 homes recently sold.

Little Italy’s median sales price is $254,500 which represents a 1.8% increase over last year.  The average listing price is $374,285 and inventory is low with only 34 homes for sale, 35 foreclosures and 93 homes recently sold.

Park West which is also known as the Banker’s Hill or Hillcrest neighborhoods has a median sales price of $405,000. This is a decrease of 9.5% from data obtained last year. The average listing price, however, is $795,295. 58 homes are for sale with 36 in foreclosure status and 72 homes that have recently sold.

Adding to this snapshot of the downtown market is the news that mortgage rates have fallen again recently. According to Freddie Mac’s weekly survey the average rate on a 30-year loan fell to 4.78%. This represents ideal conditions to buy one of these great deals downtown while the market for buyers prevails.

Contact one of our San Diego Condodomain agents to save money on real estate commissions and financing!

Everybody loves a solid top ten list. Here is one that pretty much covers most of the reasons why you’ d want to live downtown:

1. Living downtown right in the heart of “America’s Finest City”.  Simply put, you have easy, convenient access to exciting nightlife, world-class restaurants, the arts and culture.
2. Healthier  lifestyle—that’s right. Think about it, especially if you work downtown and are commuting. If you already lived downtown you eliminate the stress of dealing with traffic and can walk to your office. In addition, you are within an arm’s reach to walk to many local and unique markets, shopping and convenient dining.
3. Save money. Besides cutting down on gas costs, you no longer need to spend a king’s ransom heating and cooling that home in the suburbs. Not to mention the water bills! It seems hardly a sacrifice when you can wake up and look out your window to see the beautiful skyline that is San Diego’s downtown.
4. Instant street cred. Your friends will think you’re cool when you tell them you just checked out that new indie band last night at Spreckel’s Theatre and didn’t even have to pony up $60 for the cab ride home after a couple Whiskey sours.
5. Deals are hot right now! Now is one of the best times to be a buyer. There is only one downtown San Diego and only so much prime real estate to build on, so they won’t be building too many more condos.
6. Amenities. Many downtown condos such as Electra and The Mark have pools, fitness centers and/or large terraces for hosting a gathering.
7. Rental potential. If you get transferred for your job or decide to move out to the country, your condo will always be highly desired as a rental.
8. Options. The condos and lofts buildings downtown offer a myriad of options for floor plans and layouts.
9. Live amongst History. The Gaslamp Quarter, Santa Fe Rail Station and the Star of India ship are all classic landmarks of San Diego’s past.

10. The future. Downtown has several exciting new projects coming down the pipeline soon. The Embarcadero will undergo major enhancements and improvements over the next few years upgrading San Diego’s downtown harbor to world-class status along with the new library, expansion of the convention center and many other projects.

So, now that I have you convinced. Call us to tour some downtown condos!

Image via: TallCJ on Flicker

Each downtown neighborhood has a little something different to offer. Whether you are looking for the hottest clubs and nightlife or a walkable neighborhood reminiscent of one of the New York City boroughs, you can find a neighborhood that fits your personality and lifestyle in downtown San Diego.

East Village has become the new “Greenwich Village” of San Diego offering many new art galleries, unique wine bars and restaurants such as the French café’, Cafe’ Chloe or the art gallery and event space, Sushi.

Little Italy has always had its own charms with fountains, sidewalk café’s and views of the magnificent harbor along with a more European design that encourages a sense of community and old world. Aperture is one of the many residences in Little Italy that gives you easy access to all that this neighborhood has to offer.

Banker’s Hill offers an established and refined community full of professionals with close proximity to San Diego’s gem—Balboa Park. Living in one of the many luxury high rises in this neighborhood, you are a heartbeat away from the cultural center of San Diego.

The Gaslamp/Horton Plaza area is one of the most electric. If you want to be in the heart of the action where the city doesn’t sleep, you can find a great condo  like Trellis at Fifth Avenue with a balcony overlooking the many nightclubs, bars and restaurants and the many festivals that take place here such as Mardi Gras and A Taste of Gaslamp.

The Marina district gives you front row views of the magnificent and bustling harbor with the Coronado islands out in the distance. If you work downtown, this is a great neighborhood to come home to after a busy day in the office and enjoy a glass of wine on your balcony as you watch the cruise ships sail off to their ports of call. Cityfront Terrace is among the properties that offer prime sunset views.

Cortez Hill is San Diego’s tallest hill and one of the longest-established neighborhoods in downtown San Diego. It offers the convenience of being located next to the center of San Diego’s business and financial district and one of the largest law schools in the region. You can find yourself on top of it all at Aloft on Cortez Hill.

Contact a member of our San Diego condo team to help you  find the place that suits your own unique personality.