By Brent Cole

February 17, 2010 – 4:22 pm

     Unlike any other Downtown Community, Solara Lofts has taken on a personality that inspires creativity and function.  The advantage of personalizing a floorplan to accommodate a lifestyle need has allowed homeowners to create the perfect home.   The following is a photo collage detailing some of the unique transformations that have been created:

This is a dramatic entry personified. With custom light boxes to accent beautiful etched glass artwork.

This is an example of a Flex Loft with a custom “pony wall” to separate live space from bedroom space. A great solution for those who like room separation, but want to maintain the open feel. 

Another view of the flex loft designed with a pony wall and custom closet. 

Style meets function. This is an example of a loft home which glass partition walls were added for privacy and room separation. For added privacy, a framed glass transom was added. The transom was designed with clear glass to allow for maximum light, accentuating beautiful custom lighting. 

Another example of the frosted sliding panel system with a clear glass transom. Art + Function. 

This is one of our most recent custom modifications, where the homeowner wanted a en-suite door to the master bedroom to be added to the guest bedroom. The homeowner also came up with a very functional design modification for the sink, which allowed for more usable counter space, with beautifully appointed fixtures. 

This is an example where a glass transom will be added to add natural light, to an otherwise dark bedroom. This is an example of a complete transformation of a loft to a traditional 2 bedroom type floorplan. 

This is an example of a studio loft that the home owner had us redesign to better accommodate the use of space. We added the wall with the open transom to allow light transfer. The wall shown has dual purpose: It divides the home space from the bedroom sleeping area, creating more privacy. Secondly, the wall provides the function of added closet space. By removing the original closet & adding the closet shown above and below, we actually created a more efficient use of the space. 

This is the reverse view of the closet, with usable storage space on top. 

In this example, the buyer required more closet space. To match the buyers elegant taste, a combination of contemporary sliding glass panels and mirrored panels were added. This allowed the use of the space to be maximized, accented with a modern elegance to compliment the design theme. 

This is the perfect example of overcoming the home buyers objection to not enough counter space. Originally this floorplan featured a space saving galley kitchen, but the buyer cooks and entertains guests frequently, so we designed a custom island return with lots of counter space, seating room and even a built in wine cooler!

We encourage you to stop by the sales studio to preview the remaining  homes available at Solara Lofts.  There are only 19 more homes available, which limits your opportunity for a fully customizable loft home.

Schedule an appointment with one of our sales agents to see all of the floorplan and custom design options.  We look forward to creating the perfect home for you!

Solara Lofts Sales Studio

Open Daily 10:00am-5pm

1551 Fourth Avenue

San Diego, CA  92101

619 231-2400

Solara Lofts is now officially in Close Out mode! 

We have now released our remaining 24 homes and drastically reduced the prices!  With some reductions up to $200,000 off the original release price, NOW is absolutely the time to take advantage of purchasing a brand new custom home from Skandia.  Once these remaining homes have sold, you will NEVER have the chance to buy a brand new home at Solara that has been designed specifically for you!

We reccomend that you schedule a viewing appointment today to preview from some of the best opportunities in all of Downtown! 

Our sales center is open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.  Schedule an appointment with us today!

(619) 231-2400

1. Low Interest Rates
2. State & Federal Tax Credits for New Construction & First Time Buyers
3. FHA & VA Project Approval
4. Builder’s Best Pricing

In January,  Solara Lofts released a limited list of 18 homes with reduced pricing.  Since then the series of events listed above has created this “perfect storm” for home buyers at Solara Lofts.  Our First Release of  “Builder Best” Priced homes are now SOLD OUT.

Today we are announcing the Second Release of “Builders best” Priced homes.  These are some our most drastic reductions to date.  With the velocity that we have seen in sales in recent weeks we encourage you NOT to wait.   Schedule an appointment to preview from our available homes before it is too late!

Solara Lofts Sales Studio

Open 10:00am-5:00 Daily

619 231-2400

Heritage Security was just hired on to Solara Lofts to provide a higher level of security to compliment the community’s luxurious appeal…

Heritage Security Services has earned an unsurpassed reputation for excellence in the contract security services industry.  Their standards are some of the highest in the business: 

Officers are recruited on the basis of customer relation skills, appearance, experience and background. All security officer candidates undergo extensive background checks including past employers, military records, criminal records and interviews with references. Each candidate is screened for attitudes toward drug use, theft and dishonesty. Preferred recruiting sources include security training schools, military service, personal referrals and law enforcement agencies.

Professional and friendly security guards monitor and patrol the Solara Lofts Community with the highest level of integrity.  Homeowners enjoy the assurance of a top notch guard who improves the quality of life in the community.  Homeowners often have guests that request parking in Solara’s Guest Parking Spaces and with arrangements with the on-site guard, the guard can grant the guest access into the parking garage or building upon permission of the homeowner.  This is a great convenience eliminating the hassle of physically leaving the comforts of your home! 

Solara Lofts:  Life without the hassles!

Marty Hayek from Countrywide Home Loans gave us some exciting news in an email this morning:

Yesterday, the Federal Reserve announced they were going to extend their practice of purchasing Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS’s for the financial gurus).  

“So what ?  Well… interest rates dropped a full .25% that’s what!”

In addition; Solara Lofts is introducing the Smart Step Buy Down by Countrywide to their featured lofts. This means you can purchase one of our new lofts at an interest rate of 2.5%  for the first year, 3.5% for the second and a below market rate of 4.5% for the next 27 years! 

The best part about the Smart Step is that it allows our preferred lender to qualify you using the start rate of 2.5%, that adds a whole lot of buying power to those of us looking for that little push to get into this outstanding buyers market.   

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to purchase a NEW Home at Solara at Builder’s Best Pricing with unbelievably low interest rates!  Give us a call to get all the details.

Marty Hayek
Countrywide,FSB.
San Diego Builder Division
Martin_Hayek@countrywide.com
martyhayek@vzw.blackberry.net
Cell:760-419-0865
FAX:1-866-380-2879

Imagine:   Coming home from a stressful day at work to your own private oasis at the convenience of your own home.  A sanctuary from the pressures of  everyday life…

Let your imagination take you away to another level of relaxation...

Introducing the Spa at Club Solara:  Relaxation Defined. 

Downtown’s ONLY “Resident Owned” Spa Facility that is not open to the public!  Indulge in a massage at the convenience of your home, without the hassles of driving to a spa.  At your own private day spa, you have the luxury of choosing your own masseuse or masseur to heal you from the aches and pains of your active lifestyle…

From the moment you enter Club Solara, you experience the sensation of relaxation and tranquility.

The Spa at Club Solara can accommodate you and your guests. You can even reserve our private lounge for a "Spa Day" with your friends and family.

Many of our homeowners utilize the services of a specialized massage technician named Becky Emerson.  Becky is a local massage therapist who caters to Solara Lofts residents and offers her professional services at a discount rate.  Becky offers $40.00 per hour Swedish Massages to Solara Residents which is absolutely amazing!  It’s like having your own personal massage therapist who will meet you on your time, at the convenience of your home!

If you are looking for a home that offers the luxury of resort living, look no further...

 Stop by our sales office for a complete tour of our award winning community.  With limited homes available, don’t miss out on your opportunity to indulge in the lifestyle that you have been dreaming about.

Home owners who are looking for an active lifestyle in San Diego’s thriving Downtown community should look no further….  Solara Lofts has one of the best amenity packages in all of downtown featuring Club Solara.

As a Solara resident you can enjoy all the benefits of Club Solara’s luxurious amenities at the convienience of your home.  “It’s like living in your own private resort,” says Kimberly Lovett, one of Solara’s new home owners.

Club Solara: A complete fitness club and day spa exclusive to Solara's residents and guests.

 Club Solara Features:

• An  Exclusive “Resident Owned” Sports Club/ Day Spa Facility
• Racquetball Court
• Men’s Lounge with Private Sauna
• Women’s Lounge with Private Sauna
• Hydrotherapy Whirl Pool
• Exclusive Spa Treatment Rooms with Lounge

That’s right, Club Solara features a private racquetball court that is exclusive to its homeowners and their guests!  One of the great features about Solara Lofts is that it is a very intimate community with only 77 total homes, so Club Solara is never crowded, unlike other residential buildings.

 “We love playing racquetball not only because it is a lot of fun, but it is an intense cardio workout that targets muscles that aren’t used in a typical workout.” – Zach Smith, Solara Lofts Homeowner.

Kimberly & Zach preparing for a friendly game of racquetball.

Having your own private court in a intimate community is great because you rarely have to wait to play!

This waterfront area stretching from Seaport Village to the airport will be transformed into a “world class waterfront” with plazas, parks, esplanades, and countless public improvements to create one of the largest redevelopment projects in North America called:  THE NORTH EMBARCADERO VISIONARY PLAN.

If you are considering a home in Downtown San Diego, this public improvement project is a major focal point that may add significant value to its surrounding areas.  Our waterfront is already one of our most treasured assets, and with the plans for these improvements, Downtown residents and visitors will get to enjoy Americas Finest City to her full potential.

We recommend that you visit the following website to learn more about this exciting ongoing project: http://www.ccdc.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/projects.nevp

When browsing on this page, make sure to click on the icon that reads:  WATCH THE NEVP VIDEO. This video will give you a conceptualized vision of the plan that walks you through the various highlights.  This is a must see, and we also recommend browsing on some of the other surrounding projects like the Cedar Street Green Link and St. Josephs Park which are also proposed in the adjacent areas surrounding our award winning community at Solara Lofts.

“With only four condominium projects under construction and sales picking up, the bottom may be history,” said Nevin.

He goes on to say that the increase of resale activity means three things.

“(1) buyers are tired of waiting; (2) prices have declined sufficiently to be enticing; and (3) buyers know they can get financing with low down payments and that interest rates are falling.” (Nevin, “Downtown Derby”)

At Solara Lofts, a spacious loft living community in downtown San Diego, we could not agree with Mr. Nevin more! Buyers are tired of waiting and now that they can get the financing they need, they are taking advantage of the dramatic price reductions in real estate.

Downtown condos are priced to sell, and home buyers are realizing that their purchasing power is strong.

“Don’t look for prices to accelerate in the next year. But don’t look for them to decline any further,” said Nevin. “It is a marvelous time to buy if you are a real live owner occupant and intend to live in a Downtown condominium for several years.”

In addition to making a solid investment, buyers at Solara Lofts are privy to Urban Living at its finest. Even 1 bedroom condos get 2 gated underground parking spaces; they have access to Club Solara’s gym, spa and racquetball court; and they can design their own floorplan and fill it with the latest appliances and finest upgrades.

If you have ever considered purchasing in a home in downtown, give me a call at (858) 205-8200. I’d be happy to answer your questions or arrange for you to tour San Diego’s premier downtown loft condos.

Here’s a Printer-friendly version of “Downtown Derby”, by Alan N. Nevin

That’s what strikes visitors first about Solara Lofts,
the most desirable new homes in downtown. Now available for immediate
occupancy, the public is invited to tour fully-furnished models and Club Solara,
the resident-owned sports club/day spa open from 10am to 6pm daily.

Unique and extraordinary describe the homes, amenities and lifestyle offered at
Solara Lofts. Prices range from the mid-$200’s to over a million dollars and
availability is limited with only 77 units ranging from studios to two bedroom and
2 ½-bath penthouses with den.

“By offering convenience and luxury not normally associated at this price, Solara
Lofts appeals to the dynamic and sophisticated buyer,” says RJC Architect. “And
Solara Lofts’ design blends seamlessly into the surrounding neighborhood while
creating a modern, bold presence.”

Solara Lofts features the finest materials and workmanship, including beautiful
uses of wood and steel. The oversized European-style windows open to
amazing cityscapes. The expansive terraces provide views of nearby hills and
the sun-drenched city. Units have expansive nine or twelve foot ceilings,
stainless appliances, designer granite counter-tops, cherry wood finished kitchen
cabinets, hardwood floors, and optional moveable kitchen islands and partitions
to create even more customized space.

Each owner enjoys reserved underground parking – nearly unheard of in
downtown residential buildings. The unique Club Solara, the exclusive residentowned
sports club/day spa facility features a racquetball court, aerobic and
weight-training equipment, a men’s and women’s lounge with private saunas, a
Jacuzzi pool, and spa treatment rooms with lounge and day spa services
provided by Studio on J.

Solara Lofts sits atop Cortez Hill, one of the West Coast’s great historical
neighborhoods. Within a short walk is the Gaslamp Quarter, with its exceptional
shopping, eating and theaters, Petco Park and the thriving Ballpark District. So
are Balboa Park, Little Italy, and the glorious San Diego Bay. And for travel
beyond downtown, most of the county’s major freeways are just around the
corner.

To learn more about Solara Lofts, visit us at 1551Fourth Ave (corner of Fourth Avenue & Cedar Street).  Onsite sales center is open seven days a week from 10am to 6pm.  You may also visit us online at www.SolaraLoftsNews.com to get the latest project updates.