A luxury condominium is planned for the former site of an Italian-style townhome project near Memorial Park.

Stolz Partners LLC is under contract to purchase a nearly 2-acre site at 6017 Memorial Drive, just west of Westcott Street and the Bayou Bend Collections and Gardens. The Atlanta-based developer is set to close on the property within six months, said Will Stolz, founder and owner of Stolz Partners.

The gated property was initially being developed as a luxury townhome community called Piazza Lucca. Butler Brothers, a Houston-based residential builder, had broken ground on the 17-home community in early 2015, but have since axed the project.

A new condominium midrise called The Sophie at Bayou Bend is now set to rise on the property. The name is a derivative of the word “sophisticated,” Stolz said.

The seven-story building, designed by Houston architect Mirador Group, will feature a timeless design and a cast-stone exterior. The interior will feature just 42 units, ranging in size from 2,400 square feet to nearly 5,000 square feet.

Each unit will feature private terraces averaging more than 400 square feet with views of downtown Houston, Memorial Park, Buffalo Bayou and the River Oaks neighborhoods. The terraces will feature outdoor kitchens as well as an optional pet relief area, an artificial turf section with a drainage system that is easy to hose down and clean.

“Our buyers are coming into the condo market from single-family homes,” Stolz said. “These big covered balconies gives them the ability to hang out outside. They don’t have to give up their grill or pets.”

The units also will feature nearly 10-foot ceilings; SieMatic millwork; quartz, stone and Neolith countertops; Sub-Zero Wolf appliances; oversized closets; freestanding bathtubs and pre-wiring for a home automation system. The units will average about $1.8 million in price.

Common-area amenities include direct-entry elevator access on most units, two-levels of gated parking as well as private garages; a fitness center with a virtual yoga studio, landscaped grounds with a dog park, water features and benches. The lobby area will feature sitting areas for residents and guests, as well as a 24-hour concierge service.

The Sophie will not have a rooftop amenity deck, a clubhouse or a resort-style pool, although there will be an area set aside for a swimming pool should residents decide to build one, Stolz said. The developer made a conscious decision not to create a highly-amenitized condo, he said.

“We’re trying to keep the HOA dues within this building relatively low,” Stolz said, adding the HOA fees will be about 40 cents per foot.

Sudhoff Co. has begun marketing and pre-selling units inside The Sophie. Stolz Partners will break ground on The Sophie after 50 percent of units are sold.

Stolz Partners is interviewing three general contractors to build the concrete-and-steel building. The developer has yet to determine a structural, civil and MEP engineers for the project.

Stolz Partners has developed more than $1 billion of residential and mixed-use projects in five states. The Sophie is the developer’s first new construction project in Houston. Stolz Partners is renovating the historic Strand Lofts in downtown Galveston and is turning several apartments in Montrose into condos.

Paul Takahashi covers residential and multifamily commercial real estate for the Houston Business Journal. 

Via Galveston Monthly:

SF Capital, a real estate development and investment venture firm, recently announced the launch of its latest project, The Strand Historic Lofts, located at 2400 Mechanic Street in downtown Galveston. Originally a printing press built in 1890, the classic building has been transformed into signature residences with unmistakable style, highlighting the allure of the Historic Strand District.

“Each home is unique and has a story behind it,” said SF Capital Principal Will Stolz. “We are carefully renovating and transforming this historic building into high-style lofts. Each home offers high-end fixtures and unmatched, impressive finishes that integrate exposed original brick walls, authentic tongue and groove pine wood floors, soaring 12-14 foot exposed beam wood ceilings and original, beautiful 10 foot windows and storm shutters.”

The signature 37 condominium residences with urban flair, feature controlled-access entry, gated garage parking, fitness center and a rooftop deck. Residents may choose from unique one or two bedroom floor plans ranging in size from approximately 900 square feet to nearly 1,900 square feet and are priced from the low $200s.

Many homes feature distinctive, historic architectural details such as ceilings with wood timbers and iron arches, iron turnbuckles and tin-clad rolling fire doors. Antique elevator cables and carriages give residents their own piece of history. Additional artifacts from the Gutenberg Printing Press, a “stairway to nowhere” and antique vaults can also be found in the homes.

The Strand Historic Lofts boasts high-end modern aspects such as in-wall USB charging ports, Elfa closet systems, updated kitchens with center islands and built-in premium stainless steel appliances. Residents will enjoy granite, honed marble, quartz or slate kitchen countertops and upgraded designer lighting. Custom cabinetry features stained or painted finishes and additional double-height cabinets with rolling ladder access. Bathrooms include custom vanities with Carrara marble tile floors, shower surround and countertops with double under mount sinks and faucets.

The developers seized the opportunity to restore and improve the grand old building, which was built in 1890 as the home office for Clarke & Courts Printing, one of the most successful printers in Texas during the early twentieth century. In 1994, the building was converted into lofts while still maintaining the original architectural details, making it a proud part of Galveston’s legacy and renaissance.

Sales and marketing for The Strand Historic Lofts are handled exclusively by The Marketing Directors, LLC. The sales center and fully furnished designer model, located at 2400 Mechanic Street, are open Monday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday noon – 5 p.m. For more information about the lofts, visit www.thestrandlofts.com.

Source: http://www.galvestonmonthly.com/files/asse...

As you’re planning that beach getaway this summer, you may want to consider buying your own retreat in Galveston. Not only will you get a place to hang your sun hat, you’ll also get a piece of history.

Atlanta-based SF Capital is converting a historic building in Galveston into a condo project called The Strand Historic Lofts. The project will have 37 units for sale. Located at 2400 Mechanic Street in Galveston, a block from the harbor, the building was built in 1890 as a printing press.

One- and two-bedroom units range in size from 900 to 1,900 square feet and are priced beginning around $200,000. The complex includes controlled access entry, gated-garage parking, a fitness center and a rooftop deck.

“Each home is unique and has a story behind it,” SF Capital principal Will Stolz said in a statement. “We are carefully renovating and transforming this historic building into high-style lofts. Each home offers high-end fixtures and unmatched, impressive finishes that integrate exposed original brick walls, authentic tongue and groove pine wood floors, soaring 12- to 14-foot exposed beam wood ceilings and original, beautiful 10-foot windows and storm shutters.”

Many of the units feature historic details, such as ceilings with wood timbers and iron arches, iron turnbuckles and tin-clad rolling fire doors as well as antique elevator cables and carriages.

The historic building was the home office for Clarke & Courts Printing, one of the most successful printers in Texas during the early 20th century. In 1994, the building was converted into lofts.

Thanks to a booming economy and a fresh marketing effort, Galveston saw a record spike in tourism last year.

In 2013, tourists spent $687.2 million in Galveston. That’s up 5 percent from $654.5 million a year ago, according to a report conducted by Pennsylvania-based Tourism Economics.

Written by Jenny Aldridge. Jenny covers real estate and construction for the Houston Business Journal.

An Atlanta developer is converting this historic building on the Strand in Galveston into a condominium project the company says will have an authentic loft feel with exposed brick and wood beams, iron arches and tongue and groove pine wood floors.

“This is just a really cool old building,” said Will Stolz of SF Capital, which is converting the five-story structure. “If you imagine in your mind what a loft ought to look like, that’s this building.”

Located at 2400 Mechanic St. across from the Tremont House hotel, the 1890 property was developed for Clarke & Courts Printing. In 1994, Houston developer Randall Davis converted the building into residential rental units.

Atlanta-based SF Capital recently purchased the property and is in the process of converting the units into 37 one- and two-bedroom condominiums ranging from 900 square feet to nearly 1,900 square feet. Prices start in the low $200,000s. The building, called the Strand Historic Lofts, has garage parking, a fitness center and rooftop deck. The Marketing Directors is handling sales.

The developer is spending more than $100,000 upgrading each unit.

“Basically what we’re doing is kitchens and bathrooms,” Stolz said. “We’re using top of the line hardware, counter tops, cabinets, appliances. The whole nine yards.”

Article Written by Nancy Sarnoff of the Houston Chronicle.

ALPHARETTA, Ga. – A new housing development was approved for the Crabapple area April 28 at the Alpharetta City Council meeting.

The council heard of a proposal to add six new condominiums to Arklow Drive and Marstow Drive, on the south side of the Crabapple crossroads. This property, behind the Alpharetta Municipal Complex, is in Alpharetta but largely surrounded by Milton, which added some complexity to the project. It was delayed once in Alpharetta in order for the developer to meet with Milton officials.

“Within Crabapple crossroads, there are stringent requirements in architecture,” said Alpharetta Deputy Community Development Director Kathi Cook. “The [developer's] architect met with city of Milton staff to meet their requirements. The height of the building meets the Crabapple crossroads plan but not Alpharetta’s requirements.”

The developer asked Alpharetta for a variance to its height rules, in order to meet the height of the Crabapple community. This request was granted. At the front of the building, it will look like it is only two stories tall.

“The idea is to provide a one-level living option here,” said Wills Stolz, the developer, with Alpharetta-based SF Capital. “We feel the product is aimed at empty nesters, somebody who wants to stay in the area but doesn’t want their 6,000- or 5,000-square-foot house.”

The condos would be accessible via elevator and each will be only one floor.

“It has a lot of advantages. It should be very efficient to operate,” Stolz said. “For most people, downsizing to a townhome is their only alternative in this area.”

The condos will be 2,200 square feet and likely sell in the $400s on the 0.7-acre tract of land, Stolz said.

In 2005, the property was zoned for retail and commercial, however nothing was ever built on it, causing the zoning to revert to its original zoning of office-professional.

“We love the location because it is walkable,” Stolz said. “A lot of stuff going on in Alpharetta is perfect for this concept. We have done four realtor focus groups on this, and they have been very bullish on the depth of demand on this.

“There is nothing like this in this area,” he said.

Stolz has developed similar projects in Midtown, however these were projects with 60 or more units. The Milton project only has six.

“We have not done anything this small,” he said.

The new development would be required to take part in a study determining levels of silt in the pond nearby, and they would also have to help pay for the upkeep along with neighboring homeowners’ associations.

The condos were approved by unanimous agreement.

Article written by Jonathan Copsey with the Milton Herald.