Daily Archives: May 27, 2010

Urban Charm – The Saffron in Jersey City

Urban Charm
The Saffron

The Saffron in downtown Jersey City is quickly making headlines with significant milestones being recorded daily at the upscale coIlection of 76 luxury condominium homes located just two blocks from the Grove St. PATH Station. A strong attraction to the luxury, value and affordability being offered in the boutique building and the continued desire to reside in this dynamic urban setting has spurred significant buyer activity, resulting in nearly 40% of its condominium homes sold since sales opened earlier this year, according to its developer, Fields Development Group. The noteworthy announcements do not end there, points out James Caulfield, Jr., a principal of Fields Development Group. The Saffron has also celebrated the arrival of its first homeowners over the past several weeks—an important milestone signifying the building’s transition into an active, lived-in community.

“This is a very exciting time at The Saffron as the building begins to fulfill its promise of becoming a unique and sought-after residential address in this celebrated Hudson County city,” Mr. Caulfield says. “Our initial occupants have arrived and we expect more to join them each and every week. As a result, visitors to our on-site sales center can now obtain a comprehensive look at The Saffron with a first-hand account of both the elegance and grace of our model homes and the building’s bustling and close-knit urban environment—a combination that has had strong appeal to buyers look-i ng for Jersey City’s best housing value.”

One-, two- and three-bedroom residences housed in the two five-story Saffron buildings are initially priced from the low-$300,000s. Immediate occupancy is available. “Here, homebuyers will discover new-construction, well-conceived floorplans complemented by cutting edge finishes, desirable outdoor space and convenient enclosed parking at a price point that is far below what’s found at new developments in the area,” Mr. Caulfield says.

“What’s more, our monthly maintenance fees are close to $500 less than comparable competition, with one-bedroom homes starting at $149 a month and two-bedrooms starting at $208. And buyers will certainly appreciate our location in the heart of downtown Jersey City just steps from the PATH Station and myriad of dining, shopping and nightlife options; and minutes from the bustling waterfront.”

The Saffron is being made even more attractive to homebuyers thanks to the added value of a five-year tax abatement and its impending approval from the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) which will allow qualified purchasers to take advantage of FHA financing that requires as little as 3.5% down.

Situated at 217 Newark Avenue, The Saffron’s two five-story condominium buildings are connected by a central lobby and complemented by a central courtyard and rooftop terrace. There’s also 3,500 square feet of ground floor retail space and 50 enclosed parking spaces. The main lobby entrance is located on Newark Avenue to provide easy access to the many cultural, entertainment and business opportunities in downtown Jersey City.

One-, two-and three-bedroom homes range in size from 675 square feet to roughly 1,200 square feet of living space and offer modern and trendy interior elements such as man-made stone countertops, custom white high-gloss cabinets, bamboo hardwood flooring, custom ceramic tile baths, stainless steel appliances and designer fixtures. In addition to the courtyard and rooftop decks, building amenities include a roof lounge with seating and flat screen television and an extensive fitness center.

Designed by Mark Gould Architects, the buildings feature an elegant brick facade with glass and corregated metal accents. Inside, homes rival those found in historic brownsroncs, townhomes and upscale condominiums in Brooklyn. Most of the residences feature outdoor spaces such as private terraces.

“The Saffron is an appealing alternative to the high-rise condominium buildings that line the Hudson River,” says Marco Tartaglia, Realtor at Boutique Realty, exclusive sales and marketing agent for the Saffron. “The developer has taken elements of the classic exterior architecture and interior designs that define norable neighborhoods such as Williamsburg and Bedford-Stuyvesant and incorporated them into these buildings to create a living experience that exudes urban charm.”

For more information, please contact:
The Saffron
Tel: (888) 9-SAFFRON www.saffronjc.com

DEADLINE EXTENDED TO JUNE 30th FOR SEALED-BID AUCTION OF A 22,800 SQ.-FT. WATERFONT ESTATE ON MERCER ISLAND, WA

CHICAGO, IL – The sealed bid auction of a majestic 22,800 square-foot waterfront estate situated on the north shore of Lake Washington’s Mercer Island just outside Seattle and the City of Bellevue has been extended to June 30th, according to Sheldon Good & Company, the national real estate firm which is conducting the event.

The extended deadline is a result of the seller’s objective to receive a contingent free contract, indicates Craig Post, managing director of Sheldon Good & Company, A Racebrook Portfolio Company. Previously listed at $40 million and originally offered at auction with a qualified minimum bid of $15 million, the seller has now agreed to accept a minimum bid at or above $12 million to obtain the contingent-free contract.

“The extended sealed-bid deadline is mutually beneficial to bidders and the seller,” says Mr. Post. “For the seller, it provides a few more weeks to accomplish its primary goal of obtaining a contingency free contract. For potential buyers, they’ll have more time to complete their due diligence on the property and consider their bid.”

The Mediterranean-inspired, three-story mansion lies on two manicured acres. The property includes a multitude of formal and informal living spaces, including two master suites, four additional guests rooms, sumptuous master bath salon, three kitchens, personal workout gym, two wine cellars and an indoor sixty-six foot salt water pool.

“The real estate auction is a smart business strategy to sell and acquire truly unique trophy homes. Those on both sides of the auction, purchasers and sellers alike, have come to find tangible value in this marketing and sales method,” Mr. Post adds.

“The auction is now utilized with credibility and confidence for real estate sales and acquisitions in the same way it is for fine art, gold, jewelry, wine, and other rare collectibles. The auction allows the seller to find the market value of the property with buyers naming their price.”

Interiors are defined by the finest natural materials and meticulous attention to detail, from gold leaf cove ceilings and silk wall treatments to Italian marble and hardwood floors. The grandeur of the living space is exemplified by its centerpiece, a one-of-a-kind 12-foot Chihuly Chandelier in the Grand Entry.

Outside, the R. David Adams-designed grounds are a palate of textures and colors year-round, blending masterfully with the mansion’s graceful French limestone and stucco exterior façade. Carefully-planned, the estate is cohesively unified with its landscape and perfectly situated to ensure stunning views of Lake Washington, Seattle and beyond from every window.

The sprawling, lush grounds at the Mercer Island home also feature a sizeable greenhouse, formal outdoor pool with fountains, meandering walking path leading to the lakefront, a stocked trout pond, and a deep water dock that previously accommodated a 140-foot yacht.

Mercer Island is situated just east of downtown Seattle and west of Bellevue, offering quick access via Interstate 90 to some of the State’s most popular entertainment, business and cultural epicenters. Local boutiques, shops and services can be found on the Island.

A Bidder’s Information Packet priced at $75 is a requirement for bidding, as well as a certified or cashier’s check totaling five percent of the total bid. Sealed bids are due at Sheldon Good & Company’s Chicago office by 2:00 pm Pacific Standard time on June 30th, 2010 and should be delivered to Sheldon Good & Company, Attention: Mercer Island Project Manager, 333 West Wacker Drive, Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60606.

Interested bidders can view the estate by appointment only. For further information, please contact Sheldon Good & Company at (800) 315-2199, or visit ¬ www.sheldongood.com/mercerisland.php.

About Sheldon Good & Company
Sheldon Good & Company (www.sheldongood.com) is the nation’s premier real estate auction firm. Founded in 1965, the organization is frequently acknowledged as the innovator and leader in real estate auctions by prestigious publications such as Forbes, Fortune, The Wall Street Journal and others. The firm has sold more than 40,000 properties in over 100 asset classes by leveraging its sophisticated accelerated marketing programs and superior real estate expertise. Owned by Racebrook Capital, a private equity firm in New York, Sheldon Good & Company has regional offices in New York, Chicago and San Francisco. Sheldon Good & Company has been rated the premier real estate auction company by a number of prestigious financial publications. The company has aggregate sales of over $10 billion.

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