23/03/10 – Dallas/Fort Worth – Apt/Lofts

Posted on: March 23rd, 2010 | 73 Comments

Day 63 Which House Should I Buy? – Part 2 ( video )

  • Vickie

    Right away, seeing the curve in unit C threw me off. Although it still has room for the dining room, I don’t like the fact that’s its in the corner, in a circulation space. I also don’t think it connects that well to the kitchen (which can be good for intimate dinner parties), but for everyday use – maybe not so good. The curve also creates wasted pockets of space. I would rather a plan such as D, where the dining room table has a more defined space and connects to the kitchen (slightly better). As well, choosing plan D because you can access the bathroom without walking through bedroom (so many units like this in Dallas!).

    I wonder how important this is to other people (slowhomers, or Dallas condo residents) for having accessibility to the bathroom from main space. Would it lead a slowhomer to pick a bad floor plan with access to bathroom from main space, or a good overall floorplan with access to bathroom from bedroom?

  • MollyK

    Good morning everyone,
    What a great exercise! And yet what a frustrating choice (at least for me). I reviewed John and Matthew’s comments and agreed with everything. I had one element in each apartment that I considered a “deal breaker” which made the decision difficult. As I write this, I still haven’t decided so I hope I’ll have made my choice by the time I’m finished writing.
    Residence C deal breaker: bathroom access for guests. Other than that I actually thought the curved wall with shelves would be a great place to display art work. It also feels like a natural circulation path into the rest of the unit. The dining area was kinda removed but had wall space for art…could almost feel like being in an art gallery (at least for me). The living area in the corner was great because you could easily move furniture around and get a different view. Nice! I liked the kitchen layout.
    Residence D deal breaker: the entry with laundry…right on top of the kitchen. Ugh! Otherwise,the space was fine…nothing to write home about but livable nonetheless.
    In general, I think Residence D would be better if there were 2 occupants. More square footage means more elbow room. However, I love the uniqueness of Residence C…I like the entry, the kitchen, the flexible living room, even the curve. I guess I’d choose it and make sure my room was neat when I had guests. I think a folding screen could be used in the bedroom when entertaining and could be stored in the closet at other times.
    IF I was looking to buy, I would NOT choose Residence C because of the bathroom. Frankly, I wouldn’t buy D either because of the traffic jam at the entry. I’d keep looking.

  • MollyK

    I just thought of something. We don’t have dimensions for the dining/curve area in Residence C. Having a tape measure with you when viewing the unit would be critical. You could measure out the area for a table and see what was left for circulation. This would help you decide almost immediately if enough space existed for your dining table if you knew its dimensions.
    I think standing in the unit would give you a different perspective than just viewing floorplans. I might change my mind immediately too.

  • Terri

    I like the curve in C also. It allows the light to sweep towards the entry, which is pushed to one corner where it would normally be dark. There’s still a squared alcove for the dining table so that it won’t hinder the circulation much at all. Since this unit has the access to the bathroom through the bedroom, it seems it would be for a single occupant who does not entertain often anyway. I like the separation that C offers between living and dining. The bar is adequate for most meals except dinner.

    Residence D, while allowing someone to use the bathroom without going through the bedroom, still allows them to peruse the closet while they’re in there (not that anyone would, but still, isn’t this a private space? I’d be worried that a snoopy guest would see my overflowing clothes hamper or something!). I’m also bored by the combo dining/living room arrangement that’s so standard in most apts.

    If only C allowed access to that bathroom from the front hall too (it could have been configured to do that), then I’d choose it. But instead I’d have to take D, just because of that single issue.

    John and Matthew, In future could you please post the link to the place’s URL too?

  • Mid America Mom

    The URL of the project- Warning Music :)

    http://www.cirquevictorypark.com/Homes.asp

  • Terri

    Hey Mid America Mom,
    Thanks for coming up with the URL once again! John and Matthew should be giving you more than just lip service for being so diligent (commission maybe?);)
    BTW, do you have some kind of amazing computer system, or are you just a surfin’ junkie?

  • Claudette N.

    Comment: It’s a fairly small unit, facing south, in a building that has several environmental features. It’s well organized and has good principal living spaces. The entry and bedroom are also good. The master bathroom is oversized and the walk in master closet is not very usable. The balcony is too small to be very useful as a living space.

    Project Name: Mercer Square – Plan A2 – Unit 417

    Size: 950 sq ft

    Project Address: 2950 McKinney Ave Dallas, TX

    Project URL: http://www.mercersq.com/resources/pdfs/A2.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 18

  • Claudette N.

    Comment: For a unit that is 1300 square feet, the kitchen is too small. The in-kitchen laundry is not very effective. The master bathroom is poorly organized.

    Project Name: Mercer Square – Plan B1

    Size: 1306 sq ft

    Project Address: 2950 McKinney Ave Dallas, TX

    Project URL: http://www.mercersq.com/resources/pdfs/B1.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 17

  • Claudette N.

    On the first Mercer Square one, Plan A2, the unit is supposed to be 414 (faces south), unit 417 faces north.

  • Terri

    Just finished watching John and Matthew’s walk-through of these units. Once again I’m with John on the dining-room debate (last time was that Toronto townhouse–Stonefield, or whatever–that caused so much controversy with Matthew). We all have our “issues,” it seems. With me, it’s bathrooms, with Matthew it seems to be dining rooms, and I seem to remember someone else that takes issues with certain laundry rooms (is that you MollyK?).

    BTW, who are all these “friends” that Slow Home has on Facebook but who never say anything? Just wondering…

  • Alejandro

    Comment: Organization issues are the only major problems here – circulation becomes an issue as soon as you get to the dining area, there is wasted space in the bedroom due to that column, and there is an awkward chamfer in the bedroom closet. The building has energy efficient features, and the unit faces south.

    Project Name: The Heights @ Park Lane – The Tower – B6

    Size: 1076 sq ft

    Project Address: 8066 Park Lane Dallas, TX

    Project URL: http://www.theheightsatparklane.com/images/pdfs/Printable%20PDF%20Page_B6.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 18

  • MollyK

    Terri,
    Not sure I take issue with the laundry room. I don’t like shared entries…where the garage door opens into the front entry. That’s my ABSOLUTE no-no. But if you catch me on a different day I might be as passionante about the laundry room.
    You read my mind about the Facebook friends.

  • Alejandro

    Comment: Took away the env. perf. point due to west facing orientation – offsetting the ‘green’ features (which are only energy efficient appliances and a programmable thermostat and so on) because the building do anything to prevent solar heat gain (ie. low-e glass or exterior shades). The main problem with this unit is the disconnected main living spaces. The terrace isn’t very usable thanks to its shape. The study is a cubby without a window right next to the living room (noisy).

    Project Name: The Heights – The Tower – B9

    Size: 1776 sq ft

    Project Address: 8066 Park Lane Dallas, TX

    Project URL: http://www.theheightsatparklane.com/images/pdfs/Printable%20PDF%20Page_B9.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 12

  • Catherine Taney

    Comment: This is a badly designed loft. The entry is awkward and there is a long hallway that is a waste of space. The kitchen doesn’t have an island. There is no defined dining area. The office is only a name on the plan. The bathroom has a lot of wasted space not enough counter space. The closet in the master bedroom makes the room unusable. The closet in the second bedroom is unusable.

    Project Name: SoCo Lofts – Unit 513

    Size: 1420 sq.ft.

    Project Address: 1122 Jackson St Dallas, TX

    Project URL: http://socourbanlofts.com/resources/pdfs/floorplans/13.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 7

  • Catherine Taney

    Comment: Another badly designed SoCo loft. There is no bedroom!!! The bathroom is enormous but has NO counters. Entry is overscaled and needs furniture. The study is only about 4’ wide. The kitchen is single sided and too open. A real mess. The building, I forgot to mention, is a renovated 1925 warehouse. It looks like they tried to put too many units onto each floor, resulting in “unique” spaces that aren’t very livable.

    Project Name: SoCo Lofts – Unit 20

    Size: 1024 sq.ft.

    Project Address: 1122 Jackson St Dallas, TX

    Project URL: http://socourbanlofts.com/resources/pdfs/floorplans/20.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 11

  • Preston

    Comment: Not a very well organized unit. The dining area and kitchen are right in the middle of the space. The dining area as well as being in the way, is too small to fit a decent sized table. Living is undermined by the presence of the dreaded corner fireplace (also cuts off part of the windows). The terrace is a for standing only – or maybe diving into the cross-shaped pool outside below. Oh, and I overlooked the corner bathtub so I don’t take away points just because of corner features.

    Project Name: The Sorrento – Azzurri A2

    Size: 873 sq ft

    Project Address: 8616 Turtle Creek Blvd Dallas, TX

    Project URL: http://www.sorrentodallas.com/a2.htm

    Slow Home Test Score: 13

  • Preston

    Comment: Pretty decent. The entry is maybe a little cramped and the computer desk in the kitchen is silly and takes away from the work area. Otherwise, however, it’s good.

    Project Name: The Sorrento – Venezia B2

    Size: 1479 sf ft

    Project Address: 8616 Turtle Creek Blvd Dallas, TX

    Project URL: http://www.sorrentodallas.com/b2.htm

    Slow Home Test Score: 17

  • Preston

    Comment: And then came “perfetto” which is anything but. Lots of wasted space, few windows. The entry is a door into the kitchen. The computer desk is in an awkward space, and the dining has that strange “gallery wall” to try and give it some focus (to no avail). I think the terrace might work in spite of its triangular end.

    Project Name: The Sorrento – Perfetto A3A

    Size: 1060 sq ft

    Project Address: 8616 Turtle Creek Blvd Dallas, TX

    Project URL: http://www.sorrentodallas.com/a3a.htm

    Slow Home Test Score: 9

  • Joti Singh

    Comment: A den AND an office. Hmm… Too bad both of them are just wasted space – one in the hallway and one which is the dark spot by the water heater. The entry is just a hallway. The kitchen is too open and needs an island to provide more counter space and define it. The bedroom and its bathroom are good, but the second bathroom is an awkward shape – too small to have a shower too! Is that shower there to suggest that the den could be a usable bedroom? Window-less den or window-less bedroom, it’s all the same to me – unlivable.

    Project Name: The Beat @ South Side – Plan S

    Size: 1475 sq ft

    Project Address: 1001 Belleview St Dallas, TX

    Project URL: http://www.thebeatcondos.com/pdfs/8535-FloorPlanPage_S.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 12

  • Braden

    Comment: No consideration given to so-called ‘green’ features. Kitchen is enclosed away from the other living spaces. The dining room is too narrow and conflicts with circulation. The master bathroom is a bizarre, rambling layout. On the bedroom terrace sits the HVAC – boo!

    Project Name: The Travis @ Katy Trail – 1408 A

    Size: 1768 sq. ft.

    Project Address: 1768 sq ft

    Project URL: http://www.thetravisatkatytrail.com/docs/1408a.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 14

  • Braden

    Comment: I entered the address wrong in the last one – sorry! This unit suffers from the geometry of the building. The big angle makes everything go haywire right from the start. Even the best designer would struggle to make this work, so I understand why the master suite is so bad (but don’t think I’d go easy on the scoring!). There is no excuse for the second bedroom: the closet and its door mean there is nowhere to put a bed besides jamming a twin up against the wall. The kitchen could have been so much better if it wasn’t enclosed like that – it’d also make the space seem much bigger and better. All in all, a mess of a unit.

    Project Name: The Travis @ Katy Trail – 804 A

    Size: 1761 sq. ft.

    Project Address: 4611 Travis St Dallas, TX

    Project URL: http://www.thetravisatkatytrail.com/docs/804a.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 8

  • Catherine Taney

    Comment: This is a nice design. It is well organized. I really like the study off the master bedroom. I also like the master bathroom. My biggest concern is a unit that is 1300 square feet with 500 square feet of terrace and has only one bedroom!

    Project Name: One Arts Plaza – Residence 1E-2

    Size: 1842 sq ft

    Project Address: 1700-1798 Routh St Dallas, TX

    Project URL: http://www.oneartsplaza.com/residential/pdfs/Unit_1808.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 17

  • Terri

    Talking about “issues” earlier got me thinking that there seemed to be a lot of lofts/condos where a guest would either have to walk into or through the bedroom in order to use a bathroom. So I went back through yesterday’s postings–not all but the first 50 different plans–and counted how many had this problem. Final score 19/50. I think 38% is pretty high, and I’m guessing that this isn’t just an anomaly either.

  • Catherine Taney

    Comment: Biggest issue is with the size of this one. 2800 square feet for a 2 bedroom is ridiculous. The location of the elevators makes this unit oddly organized. Look at how long the walk is from the front door to the one of the bedrooms (especially the master)! The “back entry” is necessary but pretty dismal. Long hallway to walk through to do the laundry – in fact, this whole unit has the longest circulation routes in all of the condos I’ve seen. Beyond my ranting about organization, this is a pretty well-designed unit! A very very generous terrace means lots of room to use outside, and all of those sliding glass doors mean that you can open it right up.

    Project Name: One Arts Plaza – Residence 2E-5

    Size: 2860 sq ft

    Project Address: 1700-1798 Routh St Dallas, TX

    Project URL: http://www.oneartsplaza.com/residential/pdfs/Unit_2208.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 13

  • Paulina

    Comment: The building: No environmental performance in this luxury development. Upcoming location, currently very walkable (85/100). The unit: It would be a really nice unit if the second bedroom had a window!!!! Is the difference between saleable square feet – 1,941 and conveyable square feet – 1619 the size of this bedroom? All the rest of the unit is great.

    Project Name: W Dallas Victory Residences – Warm

    Size: 1941 sq ft

    Project Address: Victory Park Ln Dallas, TX

    Project URL: http://www.victoryresidences.com/floorplans/Warm_Floorplan.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 15

  • Paulina

    Comment: The bedroom in this unit has no window. This is very bad. I also don’t like that the dining table is in the kitchen. The column in the walk in closet makes a big part of it unusable.

    Project Name: W Dallas Victory Residences – Whisper

    Size: 1270 sq ft

    Project Address: Victory Park Ln Dallas, TX

    Project URL: http://www.victoryresidences.com/floorplans/Whisper_Floorplan.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 9

  • Joti Singh

    Comment: This is a good apartment. Simple and well organized. The entry is good. The terrace is too narrow to be furnished effectively. The dining area may also be a bit oversized. I like the master bathroom and its relationship to the walk in closet. Walkscore: 91/100

    Project Name: Residences at Palomar – Condominium A

    Size: 1423 sq ft

    Project Address: 5656 N. Central Expy. Dallas, TX

    Project URL: http://palomar.availabilitymarketing.com/palomaravailability/floorplan_pdfs/condoA.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 17

  • Joti Singh

    Comment: The design of this unit does a good job to deal with its corner location and resulting diagonal hallway. The principal living areas are unaffected and are well proportioned. The second bedroom is hampered slightly by the large column. The kitchen design is very good. The entry into the master bedroom is a bit awkward and the master bathroom is verging on being too big. Walkscore: 91/100

    Project Name: Residences at Palomar – Condominium D

    Size: 2520 sq ft

    Project Address: 5656 N. Central Expy. Dallas, TX

    Project URL: http://palomar.availabilitymarketing.com/palomaravailability/floorplan_pdfs/condoD.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 18

  • Matilde

    Comment: Perfect walkscore; great room by room (except entry); too many doors and tight spaces to get the organization; siting is good (corner unit); no environmental considerations (frustrating in this day and age!!). JUST Moderately Slow.

    Project Name: The Element – Unit C 1054

    Size: 772 sqft

    Project Address: 1800 Main St Dallas, TX

    Project URL: http://www.elementdallas.com/apartments_search.aspx

    Slow Home Test Score: 14

  • Mid America Mom

    JOTI- – looks like we are having ISSUES with posting. Can you send a note to webmaster?

    *Terri. Thanks for the compliment. Google is my friend. Anyways I like the hunt. Speaking of…. Surfing ALL over DALLAS area looking for green development and they are behind on residential (which looks to be a trend). The LEED one MollyK listed yesterday I did not see listed on the USGBC site for being a leed certified building. :( Oh that hard like loft I like- Buzz Loft- I think did not submit for leed but they have some elements of that. I also LOVE the location, that it is up and coming, and price point. It will be next to a future green redevelopment by the city, you have to look at the design submissions. See- http://www.revision-dallas.com/?page_id=618

    thanks!
    Mid America Mom

    thanks!

  • Mid America Mom

    ANYONE else decide which unit that John and Matthew presented today would be your choice for a rental? Please share!

    I have not figured that out for myself. I ran the test and they both scored 17 LOL so I have to think what is more important to me. (can I have that Buzz loft instead? please?)

    Mid America Mom

  • Matilde

    Comment: Compared to last one: more hallways (too many), giant column isn’t nice, kitchen is just a wall (the cook doesn’t get to interact with anyone), and the ‘closet’ at the entry is really the laundry room.

    Project Name: The Element – Unit M 456

    Size: 1257 sqft

    Project Address: 1800 Main St Dallas, TX

    Project URL: http://www.elementdallas.com/apartments_search.aspx

    Slow Home Test Score: 11

  • Andrew

    Comment: Dining /study is awful: no window! Living area is a very odd proportion – if you put in two groupings of furniture, then one is very very far from any light. That said, the enclosed kitchen is completely lightless. I don’t see a laundry area let alone a space for a stacked w/d anywhere! Nice things? hmm… I guess I like the bedrooms (not the access, but the proportions and amount of storage). Oh, looks like Terri can add another one to the list, the guests have to walk through your closet to use the bathroom!

    Project Name: Terrace House Apartments – Floorplans C and G

    Size: 1800 sq ft

    Project Address: 3131 Maple Ave Dallas, TX

    Project URL: http://www.terracehouseapartments.com/C_G.htm

    Slow Home Test Score: 9

  • Braden

    Comment: Env. point for reusing a 1936 building + unit faces south. Siting is ok, location is good. some wacky stuff here: a barely passable dining room (tight), a bedroom without a window up(or down?) stairs, a bathroom you have to cut through the bedroom to get to, an angle for absolutely NO reason (leads to tightness, awkward spaces, and wasted space in the hallway).

    Project Name: The Kress Building – Unit E

    Size: 910 sq ft

    Project Address: 610 Main St Fort Worth, TX

    Project URL: http://thekressbuilding.com/FloorPlans.aspx

    Slow Home Test Score: 15

  • MollyK

    M.A.M.
    I have been wondering about the use of the word “LEED” on some of these websites. One thing that may be happening is that developers are advertising LEED while they are still in the application process for LEED certification. Of course, there’s no guarantee they will get the certification and yet it is on the website. I also think some are simply throwing around the name of USGBC if they have put in some energy-efficient features.
    Not only does it make me wary since the information is part of the SlowHome scoring system, BUT as a consumer I’m at the mercy of some “truth stretching”!

  • Andrew

    Comment: High R insulation and low e glass work for heat gain/loss, but there is no site plan or north arrow to know whether or not this helps. I need more features (and info) to give the environmental point since it’s worth so much. Organization: it’s too long and narrow. The kitchen looks into the bathroom! The front room – a second bedroom or study – is without light and would be an awful space. Bathroom floor areas are both too big, master has a huge tub and a shower (can’t we pick ONE?). The terrace is good.

    Project Name: Vallera Condos – Arrezo

    Size: 1349 sq ft

    Project Address: 3818 Holland Ave Dallas, TX

    Project URL: http://valleracondos.com/11.html

    Slow Home Test Score: 10

  • orangeopolis

    Good point MollyK. I think that ‘green’ features help sell a unit as much as stainless steel and granite does. Unfortunately, most people use LEED as a guilt-avoidance technique rather than as a more fundamental lifestyle change. The issue that you point out is important: LEED is as much about materials and design as it is about process. Since projects must demonstrate this, you get the LEED rating used before LEED rating is achieved.
    I think that the best thing we can do as consumers to see through this ‘truth stretching’ is to educate ourselves about what LEED (or any other sustainable accreditation) is really about – ie. reading the handbook ourselves. Furthermore, it is in everyone’s best interest that the USGBC makes the LEED program as transparent and as accessible as possible so that you don’t have to be a designer to understand it!

  • Andrew

    Comment: Kitchen island is terrible – why is it oriented like that??? If it was a straight peninsula it would make much more sense. There is only ONE decent bedroom in this unit (considering the hike in price associated with 2 more bedrooms this is appalling). The TWO bad bedrooms both are open to the entry and without light or ventilation – they can’t close them off with a door because then they’d be illegal! The master bathroom is supersized with a giant tub, giant shower and a dance floor area. I like the terrace, the living room is good, and the dining is good. The laundry will work, but it is less than ideal being located there in the main hallway (why not put IT in the windowless space?)

    Project Name: Vallera Condos – Cortona

    Size: 1684 sq ft

    Project Address: 3818 Holland Ave Dallas, TX

    Project URL: http://valleracondos.com/23.html

    Slow Home Test Score: 11

  • Matilde

    Comment: GE energy star appliances alone don’t get the point for environment; no site plan; poor location; good kitchen for a unit this size; decent balcony; dining area is not sufficient; bedroom is good size

    Project Name: Gramercy on the Park – A1

    Size: 675 sqft

    Project Address: Timber Oaks Drive Dallas, TX

    Project URL: http://www.gramercyresidential.com/leasing/assets/floorplan_A1.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 8

  • Matilde

    Comment: Bathroom has unnecessary double sink and a huge tub; study and laundry combo is not good; kitchen is appropriate (though I’d like more counter space); bedroom is good size (maybe even slightly big); living and dining good, nice windows with good balcony

    Project Name: Gramercy on the Park – A5

    Size: 950 sqft

    Project Address: Timber Oaks Drive Dallas, TX

    Project URL: http://www.gramercyresidential.com/leasing/floorplanA5.aspx

    Slow Home Test Score: 8

  • Matilde

    Comment: Dining area is a left over space, otherwise Room by Room is great; organization is not good – split bedrooms and bedroom entry from dining room is bad; same issues as others with siting, env. perf., and location.

    Project Name: Gramercy on the Park – B3

    Size: 1250 sqft

    Project Address: Timber Oaks Drive Dallas, TX

    Project URL: http://www.gramercyresidential.com/leasing/assets/floorplan_B3.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 9

  • Mid America Mom

    Andrew thank you for posting that Vallera unit. I was looking at those last night and thought it would be a perfect unit— to show WHAT NOT TO DO :)

    Mid America Mom

  • Alejandro

    Comment: Great location, miserable unit. Some parts are well-handled (considering the angle) – such as the master bath and kitchen – whereas other parts suffer from the angle – such as the living, dining, and entry. Wasted space abounds in this already small square footage, making things frustrating. The windows are thoroughly undersized, and the balcony is rather useless – put a bbq at the end and that’s it! The bedroom is ok though I don’t like the access to it, and I really hate that the only size table you can fit is a silly bistro thing against the wall! Hey designer: people DO have friends you know.

    Project Name: The Heights @ Park Lane – The Flats – A10

    Size: 842 sq ft

    Project Address: 8066 Park Lane Dallas, TX

    Project URL: http://www.theheightsatparklane.com/images/pdfs/Printable PDF Page_A10.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 9

  • Alejandro

    Comment: The biggest problem with this one is its organization. The living spaces are dark and deep – not too livable in my books. A long hallway gets you to the bedrooms. Not too keen on that closet in bed 2, I think it is a weird condition that just blocks light. The balcony is the same as the other one: small and useless. Don’t like the laundry location nor its layout.

    Project Name: The Heights @ Park Lane – The Flats – A1

    Size: 1412 sq ft

    Project Address: 8066 Park Lane Dallas, TX

    Project URL: http://www.theheightsatparklane.com/images/pdfs/Printable%20PDF%20Page_A1.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 13

  • Joti Singh

    Comment: Renovated 1930s historic building. No site plan and no north arrow – how can these be left out??? Organization is a terrible – why is that angle there??? The HVAC is in an awful spot. Walk in closet does not make sense because it is too big. It’s almost as big as the kitchen! Oh that angle is so so bad. It ruins everything almost.

    Project Name: Texas & Pacific Lofts – Midrise A4.0

    Size: 842 sq ft

    Project Address: 221 W. Lancaster Ave Fort Worth, TX

    Project URL: http://www.texasandpacificlofts.com/floorplans/Midrise-A4.0s.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 10

  • Joti Singh

    yess back in business

  • Catherine Taney

    Comment: A couple of different Cirque units (not trying to make this more complicated, just more complete).
    Entry is shared with laundry, making it quite tight. No outdoor space…that’s unfortunate (after all, it’s a new building!). Bathrooms have big tubs for some reason taking up too much space (does bed 2 not get to use a shower?). Bedrooms are good. Kitchen is good, dining is ok – not great, not bad. Living is very nice, lots of light.

    Project Name: Cirque – I

    Size: 1450 sq ft

    Project Address: 2500 N. Houston St. Dallas, TX

    Project URL: http://www.cirquevictorypark.com/FloorPlans/I.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 14

  • Catherine Taney

    Comment: Corner unit (though you’d never know from the inside since there aren’t any windows on the side). The geometry of the building ruins this unit leaving lots of wasted space and creating spaces with awful proportions. Seriously. Look at those bedrooms! The giant column in the living/dining room might look cool, but it has an impact on furniture in the living room. The laundry is awkward where it is, and the dining room is simply too big. The terrace is 261 sq ft and it is modeled after the corridors along the outer edge of an ocean liner – standing room for seasick sailors only!

    Project Name: Cirque – PH7

    Size: 1663 sq ft

    Project Address: 2500 N. Houston St. Dallas, TX

    Project URL: http://www.cirquevictorypark.com/FloorPlans/PH7.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 9

  • orangeopolis

    Comment: Read about this project before: it’s a “transit-oriented development” or TOD, located in a redevelopment area directly adjacent to a famous theatre and DART train station (mockingbird). The development is a refurbished 1926 factory, incorporating itself into an existing neighborhood – Southern Methodist University is 2 blocks away.
    I looked at 2 lofts. This one is long and narrow and faces SE. It has a bedroom located a long way from the light, and a living/dining room that is really just a living room.

    Project Name: Mockingbird Station – Loft 407

    Size: 748 sq ft

    Project Address: 5331 E. Mockingbird Ln Dallas, TX

    Project URL: http://www.mockingbirdstation.com/uploaded_lofts/407_s_.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 16

  • orangeopolis

    Comment: Ok, not as good this time. This corner unit faces NW and SW – getting hot afternoon sun. Pretty much everything that could go wrong with a unit is going wrong here. The only points are given for bathrooms (which was a generous point I might add), and parking (which is kind of a gimme point for condo/apts anyways). The worst parts? The ridiculous proportions of the living/dining room, the location of the two bedrooms, and the kitchen/closet.

    Project Name: Mockingbird Station – Loft 220

    Size: 1330 sq ft

    Project Address: 5331 E. Mockingbird Ln Dallas, TX

    Project URL: http://www.mockingbirdstation.com/uploaded_lofts/220_a_.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 10

  • Matilde

    Comment: Overall proportions and orientation of unit in building is poor, could have been much simpler; Circulation and geometry really bad; no light for the den; awkward and wasteful layouts for dining room and living room; terrace is too narrow to be useful; like the kitchen, good master suite (though the access is very poor); wardrobe is really a storage locker.

    Project Name: The House by Starck, Type 4

    Size: 2541 sq ft

    Project Address: 2200 Victory Ave Dallas, TX

    Project URL: http://www.thehouse.com/plans/Type05.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 7

  • Matilde

    Comment: Much better than the previous unit. Den has a poor location in plan (some light gets in through the small window at the top right-hand side); laundry conflicts with entry, entry is ill-defined and enters right into kitchen. Kitchen is very good; dining in great; small amount of wasted space to left of dining table, but ok; good living room occupying the best spot in the plan; nice sized terrace, access is good right next to living room; good bedroom. Overarching criticism though: who has a 1603 sq ft SINGLE bedroom apartment???

    Project Name: The House by Starck, Type 5

    Size: 1603 sq ft

    Project Address: 2200 Victory Ave Dallas, TX

    Project URL: http://www.thehouse.com/plans/Type03.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 14

  • Braden

    Comment: Location point given under the assumption that you are a retired type who is interested in living in a quiet area. Around the man-made lake there is a lot to walk to, but it is all within a confined area since the lake is adjacent to the freeway (8 lanes of pedestrian impassibility). This unit has a strange double entry – probably to keep the repairman out of your unit when fixing the water heater or w/d???). The swing on the front door needs switching. The kitchen has an acute counter shortage. Bathroom has access from unit and from bedroom.

    Project Name: Grand Treviso Condos – The AT1

    Size: 786 sq ft

    Project Address: 330 E Las Colinas Blvd Irving, TX

    Project URL: http://www.grandtreviso.com/ViewModel.aspx?UnitNumber=1312

    Slow Home Test Score: 14

  • Matthew North

    Hi Slow Homers – again – great day of posts! Thank you for working so hard on the Project and for reviewing all the plans! Make sure to tune into tomorrow’s episode to watch the Design Project where we try to improve one of these apartment/loft units to make it score higher on the Slow Home Test.

  • Matthew North

    Terri – 38% of units in Dallas you need to access the bathroom through the bedroom?!! Thanks for posting the stats!! As a sneak preview of tomorrow’s Design Project episode, I can tell you that we will be taking one of those “bathroom in the bedroom” units and trying to change the design so the bathroom can be easily accessed without walking in on someone sleeping. I am surprised by how many units in Dallas have this issue! This and super sized tubs seem to be commonplace!

  • Matilde

    Comment: Bad geometry comes out here; Half-galley kitchen opens dumbly onto dining area; The laundry is right at the front door! You have to stand among the doffed shoes to transfer the washed clothes into the dryer (don’t drop a thing!!); powder room is redundant given the proximity to the master bath; column in bedroom is annoying for the person on that side of the bed; good terrace, good living room.

    Project Name: The House by Starck, Type 3

    Size: 1056 sq ft

    Project Address: 2200 Victory Ave Dallas, TX

    Project URL: http://www.thehouse.com/plans/Type03.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 11

  • Braden

    Comment: Terrible kitchen shape. Dining area is ok, but entry is awful (which just dumps you into the dining area). Living and balcony are good. Bedrooms 3 just doesn’t want to give any more area to bedroom 1, so they split the difference and noon gets usable space. Ensuite master bath is awful – look at the bifold door to the toilet room! Bed 2 is good, family bath is good. Again with the second, laundry entry!

    Project Name: Grand Treviso Condos – The CT1

    Size: 1422 sq ft

    Project Address: 330 E Las Colinas Blvd Irving, TX

    Project URL: http://www.grandtreviso.com/ViewModel.aspx?UnitNumber=1114

    Slow Home Test Score: 10

  • Matthew North

    Braden – the unit that you found in “The Travis at Katy Trail – Unit 804A” is one of the worst that I have seen. What a train wreck. I have never seen a worse master bedroom/ bath layout. I think all the Slow Homers need to have a look and a good laugh at what never to do in residential design. This is a great example of how a problem with the overall geometry of the building itself has produced such an awkwardly shaped unit that it is nearly impossible to design anything to properly fit the space.

    http://www.thetravisatkatytrail.com/docs/804a.pdf

  • Andrew

    Well, there’s no contemplation here from me. I’d take residence D over residence C ANY day of the week. I just can’t handle that curve as it tries to give more space to that already worthless dining space in the darkest part of the plan far from the living room. I think that you’d probably find that most people would prefer to eat on the couch than eat at a table there! The undersized balcony in residence D is enough to put your bbq (so long as it wasn’t a behemoth) and has a better relationship privacy-wise between the living room and bedroom. The laundry isn’t ideal, but if you’re careful it can work. Oh oh oh, and another thing! Residence C has the classic Dallas bedroom parade for your guests if they need to use the washroom! Residence D doesn’t have that problem.

  • Alejandro

    Comment: A pretty decent unit altogether. Organization is good. I don’t know about accessing your bedroom through the bathroom, but I can see in this case why that makes sense. If the bathroom were rejigged, you could get the closet closer to the bedroom, and eliminate the whole bedroom access thing.

    Project Name: The heights @ Park Lane – The Lofts – C3R

    Size: 916 sq ft

    Project Address: 8066 Park Lane Dallas, TX

    Project URL: http://www.theheightsatparklane.com/images/pdfs/Printable%20PDF%20Page_C3R.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 15

  • Scott

    Comment: This building is for luxury only. No environmental performance factors here. Great location: 1 block from the Kimbell museum, MoMA and the Amon Center, in the heart of a redeveloping zone along Camp Bowie Blvd. Good unit, only problems are the study and laundry. The study is in a terrible place in plan, far from light and air. The laundry shares this space making an already miserable place to work worse. Other than that, this is a good plan. Ignore the furniture layout as drawn, anyone could come up with a better one than that in that space.

    Project Name: One Museum Place: B2

    Size: 1575 sq.ft

    Project Address: 3300 West 7th St Fort Worth, TX

    Project URL: http://www.museumplaceliving.com/fps/unitb2.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 15

  • Scott

    Comment: Blech to this pie-shaped plan – makes everything more difficult than it needs to be. Study is a bad space, as is the laundry located in an enlarged powder room just across the way from the study. Lots of floor area in the ensuite bathroom. Access to the bedroom is really nasty, is a long long way from the door. Terrace is cruddy being so narrow and accessed right smack in the middle with a single door. Kitchen island is annoying as well, making it really only good for one person to use.

    Project Name: One Museum Place: A3

    Size: 1325 sq.ft

    Project Address: 3300 West 7th St Fort Worth, TX

    Project URL: http://www.museumplaceliving.com/fps/unita3.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 9

  • Mid America Mom

    As for today’s what apartment should I rent (which is the slowest apartment)? (note to community I have a link below you may want to check out)
    *
    Well first of all NEEDS more STORAGE but that is not a test question (join me in this girls- we need more!).
    *
    C the corner unit or D interior unit. Both scored 17 on my slow home test.
    *
    For C I said NO to circulation and Dining. The curve while catching the eye and fun did not do well for the dining space of this design. Also following it from entry to the living and beyond to the bedroom entry was quite far. The back wall of the dining is about 10 feet. The space is not even 10 square AND has circulation going through half of it. I do like the counter space in the kitchen and while sitting at the bar you could look out if you turned that way. The laundry is OK. I appreciate the larger bedroom. The living room has all that light from north and west. For D I said No to the entry due to the laundry and walking into your kitchen. The outdoor space you cannot do anything but stand. The laundry is problematic being in the entry with no good place to put the basket down. The master closet looks to be more functional and the bathroom I can see it has plenty of counterspace. The living and dining space is fantastic for decorating and entertaining in. It looks to be about 14 by 22 WITH minimal circulation through it (not going to use the patio). We have two good walls to place entertainment, furniture, computer desk.

    *So what to do. As someone with sleep issues- I do nothing but sleep in my room so the size does not worry me as long as I can get around and have a dresser. All my time is in the common space. I rarely eat OUT and like to sit NOT at the couch. When faced with a table with chair or a barstool and bar – I take the chair. They just seem more comfortable to me. My main cooking time is at dinner. I worry in both units with the oven door but then I do not use the oven at dinner. D living and dining combo is more flexible for decorating. D would be my pick.
    ****
    BONUS! Seemed like kismet. Today at the drug store I thumbed the 2010 April Issue of Canada’s Style at Home. Small spaces Issue. http://www.styleathome.com/small-spaces-issue/i/133 (Note I cannot seem to get into the articles online -browser problem?). The cover is about a condo with a similar design to the D unit BUT 511 sq feet. The main living/dining space is designed to handle get this- like 14 seated people! and THEY DID IT. The bar has at least 3, couch next to bar is not a loveseat but a larger one with least 3 people and those small ottoman/seat type things in front, 4 seated at a kitchen table (with these wonderful clear chairs) near the window. Other things I liked – Not too far off the bar and in the open space is a computer space. There is a built in microwave.

    :)
    Mid America Mom

  • Cat

    I would pick unit C. The kitchen in unit D was nearly a deal breaker. I didn’t like the kitchen layout and it seemed there was not a lot of counter space. Add in the laundry location and it really didn’t work for me. Unit C had the advantage of windows on 2 sides and a much better kitchen. Those outweighed the bathroom access for me. The dining areas were different, but I thought both were OK; they would not be the deciding factor for me.

    What were the designers thinking with that bathroom? It doesn’t seem that difficult to move it to allow access from the public spaces. Is it something to do with where the plumbing through out the building is?

  • Terri

    Matthew, I think I was about 3 off on that count I gave earlier for the bedroom/bathroom conflict, but that still puts us above 30%. I keep thinking, But these are new units too!

    That master bedroom in the Travis at Katy Trail condo was crazy making. All those long walks through the bathroom to get from one fixture to another, and if you put your bed near the windows? Well, add another 20 ft onto that. I think I’d be tempted to take a short cut to the closet by going out into the living area and in through the second door–at least it’s closer than the other door is.

  • Terri

    M.A.M.,
    I finally got a look at those winning entrants for the Re: Vision–Dallas competition. That Entangled Bank one with the “sky pasture” for Dexter cattle is pretty wild. Did you like one better than the others? Very ambitious ideas; I wonder how hard or costly they would be to actually complete successfully.

  • Mid America Mom

    *JOHN and Matthew

    1. Though this apartment does not play up some of its environment cred- GOOGLE can :) I think we should give it a yes even if the building itself is not GREEN.

    Victory Park is a brownfield redevelopment. Former site of an OLD electric generation plant. http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2006/06/cant_spell_wednesday_without_t.php

    They use 100% renewable energy– http://www.city-data.com/articles/Victory-Park-in-Dallas.html

    **
    2. Other interesting things?

    Free OUTDOOR Wifi- http://itmanagement.earthweb.com/mowi/article.php/3683316/Unwiring+Dallas%E2%80%99+Victory+Park.htm

    Maybe a walkable place but does not sound vibrant.

    Two articles in which they portray victory park as a ghost town – http://www.dallasobserver.com/2009-01-29/news/empty-victory/1
    and http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/columnists/sbrown/stories/DN-recol_11bus.ART.State.Edition1.3d0232d.html

  • Mid America Mom

    I found the livestock funny. I read somewhere today- magazine I think- that livestock in URBAN settings is actually wasteful and more energy consuming.
    *
    Though… maybe to keep the grass proper they should think of an animal. At the White House President Wilson had SHEEP to help with the lawn during the war (WWI) – http://www.presidentialpetmuseum.com/Pets/Sheep.htm and just in the beginning of this youtube you see them as well- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6nhqFIIGR4

  • Mid America Mom

    Comment: Thought another development would be nice.
    *
    Picked a HUGE UNIT that is wide. I thought OK this should be pretty good. HA! They proved me wrong.

    In Addison. Walkable at 71. Looks to be near an airport. I would love to see small planes for a view. Some condos would face North or WEST (toward the planes) But I cannot figure out from the elevation drawings where this unit fits :( No mention of green. I think the unit has TWO water heaters! Yikes.

    2 bed 2.5 bath and den and you are traveling all over the place to get to them. Entry looks to have a fancy ceiling thing going on though if you happen to look to the right when you walk in – you see the kitchen pantry and counter. Closet is around the corner. The living space is not bad with a fireplace (though it is not nicely placed) and access outside. The unit has a large narrow terrace. I suspect it is about 5 wide and keeps running. I hope this is on the NORTH or who would want to be out there? The double galley kitchen has a 6 burner stove wine refrigerator which is a little over the top. I think the breakfast bar is raised from the sink which I like for hiding dishes. The dining room is huge. It is at the back of the unit with no windows and no light getting to it. The breakfast area is laughable. Circulation nightmare, SMALL and I mean SMALL. Bedroom 2 I have no clue where you could put the bed with that storage closet in the corner. The closet is not that good maybe 5 deep by 5. Master has two closets again shallow. The baths. Well the master happens to not have a tub. For this size I would think you should. It also has a bad layout. The Den is interesting. 10 by 10 with window and an alcove with its own sort of window. The laundry is not even a side by side unit which is horrible.

    Mid America Mom

    Project Name: Meridian Square- Condo B5

    Size: 1896

    Project Address: 15866 Quorum Dr. Addison, TX 75001

    Project URL: http://www.addisoncircleliving.com/CondoFloorplanB5.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 8

  • Mid America Mom

    Comment: Another condo from Meridian in Addison.
    *
    I picked the unit with the curved bank of windows to what they did there.
    *
    This unit was easy to find siting. Sits at a corner. North and West. Entry is defined. I liked that we have a shared second bath with the hall and bedroom. The interior kitchen has a good layout. The dining is sufficient. The den is bad as it reminds me of a walk in coat closet.. Laundry is again awful. Bedrooms are ok and the master looks a little big but laid out ok. The living room is where the curved wall of glass is. It just looks hard to furnish. Also I would have liked more option for TV placement. Here I would have gone with curved sofas – http://access.decorati.com/2009/06/02/here-comes-the-sun-john-barman/
    *
    Better unit.

    Project Name: Meridian Square- Condo B3

    Size: 1350

    Project Address: 15866 Quorum Dr. Addison, TX 75001

    Project URL: http://www.addisoncircleliving.com/CondoFloorplanB123.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 12

  • Catherine Taney

    Comment: Renovated 1928 building, blocks from the arts district, contains large retail ground level. This unit is south facing. Generous outdoor living point since building didn’t originally have balconies. The only issue that I can see is the master bathroom, which has a super sized tub and two sinks. I overlooked the column in the den, with its sliding partitions I think it’d be ok. The laundry room is quite nice. A small amount of wasted space near the door to bedroom 2. Nice main living space.

    Project Name: One Montgomery Plaza – F2

    Size: 1654 sq ft

    Project Address: 2600 West 7 St Fort Worth, TX

    Project URL: http://www.montgomeryplaza.com/documents/OMP_F2.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 19

  • Catherine Taney

    Comment: Forgot to mention the walkscore – 88/100. This unit has a horrible introduced geometry that makes absolutely NO sense. The bedroom is buried near the entrance, far from the light. The dining room is a leftover space – you can see how they tried to make it seem like that’s not the case with the silly curve of tile. Again with the guest use of the bathroom issue. The entry is just a hallway.

    Project Name: One Montgomery Plaza – A1

    Size: 1263 sq ft

    Project Address: 2600 West 7 St Fort Worth, TX

    Project URL: http://www.montgomeryplaza.com/documents/OMP_A1a.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 8

  • Catherine Taney

    Comment: And finally, this one. There’s a big chunk in the lower right of the plan that likely is some building amenity – it’s conveniently not labeled on the plan. My guess is that it’s a noisy mechanical chase or worse, an elevator shaft. Awful geometry comes to visit this one just like the last. Bedroom 2 is chopped liver. The den is mistreated as well. There is so much wasted space devoted to circulation it’s ridiculous. On the right side of the plan, the main issue is the master bathroom – super sized tub and shower. The dining and living room work.

    Project Name: One Montgomery Plaza – I1

    Size: 2146 sq ft

    Project Address: 2600 West 7 St Fort Worth, TX

    Project URL: http://www.montgomeryplaza.com/documents/OMP_I1.pdf

    Slow Home Test Score: 8