Florera Condos Revisited
With the Florera (website) wrapping up Phase I, it’s time for an update (see my previous visit and review).
The Florera is a new condominium project developed by Pryde + Johnson, builder of Hjarta and Ashworth Cottages. Phase I consists of 59 studio, one-bedroom, one-bedroom + den and two-bedroom homes located just a couple of blocks from Seattle’s active Green Lake Park.
As I toured the finished product I was pleasantly impressed by how well Florera turned out. The floor plans are efficient and feel larger than the stated square footage. The homes have above average and “green” finishes such as bamboo floors (natural & dark stained), concrete or recycled terrazo countertops and zero-VOC paint. Though, some changes are being made, namely replacing some of the terrazo countertops with quartz and removal of the corny wall-mounted fireplaces.
Other features include stainless backsplashes, oversized windows, GE Profile appliances including a gas range and double door refrigerator with bottom mount freezer and front loading washer and dryers. The two-bedroom two-bath units also come with a heat pump and air conditioning system.
Common amenities include below grade parking (separate from the bank’s parking), a second floor landscaped terrace & community room and a roof top deck with gardening plots fed by a rain harvested irrigation system.
Current prices, which are about $10,000 above the pre-sale prices, are:
studios – $339,950 to $354,940
one-bedrooms – $359,950 to $455,950
one-bedroom + den/study – $415,950 to $509,950
two-bedrooms – $549,950 to $799,950
The units are fairly large with the smallest being a 578 square foot studio that can easily be partitioned, effectively becoming a one-bedroom. The largest is a 1,200 square foot two-bedroom situated under the clock. Florera has sold approximately 30% of its inventory, somewhat low considering the building is nearly complete. However, they are offering a couple of incentives including a Vespa scooter and buyer bonuses ($6,000 for one-bedrooms or $12,000 for two-bedrooms).
Homeowner dues run approximately $.42/square foot but that includes gas, hot water (central boiler) and a pre-funded reserve study in addition to common maintenance expenses, insurance and utility fees.
Phase II was originally slated to break ground last year but has been pushed back until later this year, no doubt effected by the sluggish condo market.
The Florera sales office is open Friday – Wednesday from 11 – 5, Tuesday 2 – 5, closed Thursday.
ugly and overpriced…
And now they have been turned into apartments after selling only 14 of the 59 units. That’s a sign of things to come…
They are still condos, just renting out the unsold units for cash flow. Other condo projects ended up going this route as well – WestWater and Carbon56 come to mind.