This is a guest-post from Tim Ellis, author of Seattle Bubble, a blog and forum dedicated to discussing real estate market conditions in the Seattle area. Tim is a long-time GRS reader. During my last trip to Europe, he shared a controversial article on renting vs. buying.
Given the fact that loses twenty percent of its value the moment you drive it off the lot. Buying a home (used or new) is similar. Even if home prices begin to appreciate regularly again, agent fees, excise taxes, staging, seller concessions, and other random costs add up quickly when you try to sell your home, sucking away about ten percent of the sale price.
There really is no way to know what neighborhood will work best for you until you’ve spent a good amount of time actually living in the area. Consider all the variables at play:
What’s the commute like to your work?
How convenient is shopping?
Is there enough entertainment nearby?
Does the neighborhood feel safe?
Do you like the neighborhood vibe?
Are there sources of noise at odd hours?
Wouldn’t you prefer to rent for a while and learn the area rather than buy right away only to learn after a few months that you’d rather live across town, but you’re stuck for at least a few years (or worse, like Ben) until the value of your home rises enough to offset the selling costs?
Give Yourself Time to Find Out What Works For You
Don’t be tempted to take shortcuts when it comes to a decision as important as where you will live. You might think that you can do sufficient research online or get advice from people who do live in an area so you can make an informed decision from afar. Think again.
Above is a little map I made based on a recent forum thread on LinkedIn started by a simple question:
I have some friends who are relocating to the Seattle area. They will be working in downtown Seattle, have kids and about a $650K housing budget. Looking for thoughts on best cities to live in the Seattle area for education, school districts, quality of life, etc. Any ideas would be appreciated!
Each pin on the map represents an answer to this question that was offered by one of the commenters. Believe it or not, the Seattle area is somewhere under that mass of purple. Good luck making any sort of informed decision based on that mess!
The only person that can really know if you’ll like living in a given neighborhood is you. Buying a home is a major financial commitment, and rushing into a purchase before you’ve had time to get to know the area is a recipe for disaster. If you find yourself planning a major move, find a nice rental and take your time learning the ups and downs of your new hometown before you buy a new home. You’ll be glad you did.
If you have a soft spot for modern homes, this Dallas house might be right up your alley. But don’t expect to see much from the street.
“This is one of my favorite homes in the neighborhood,” says listing agent John Weber, with Compass RE Texas. He’s selling this property for the second time and says its privacy is what makes it such a find.
The 2,642-square-foot abode is listed for $1,250,000. And it’s right at home in this community.
“The Urban Reserve was built as a neighborhood of architecturally significant, modern homes,” Weber explains. “Every property had to have been architect-designed, have modern aesthetics, and fit, the look, and feel of the neighborhood … no two homes are identical.”
This three-bedroom, 2.5-bath house was completed in 2016. It’s a one-story home—a design feature that’s attracting interest among buyers, Weber says.
“The home is kind of set up in a C-shape, and the majority of the home all looks out of large windows to the pool, yard space, and patio area,” Weber says. “You’ve got a great connection with the outdoors.”
The nearly quarter-acre grounds include a 40-foot lap pool.
“In Dallas, so many times, you get either a pool or a yard—you don’t get both,” he points out. “This house does have both. You’ve got great entertaining and outdoor space, with a large patio and a big grassy area in the back of the yard.”
The home’s exterior is Accoya wood, a sustainable but pricey material that gives the house a unique look.
“One thing that people love or hate is the front of the house,” Weber acknolwedges. “It’s almost like a shed or barn feel, but that adds to privacy of the home. It’s such a private home, and it reveals itself when you walk in the front door. It’s totally unexpected from what you see on the exterior of the home.”
The minimalist interior design leans heavily on wood and glass.
“It has such a light and bright open feel, as opposed to what the exterior facade conveys with a closed-off feel with no windows,” Weber says. “It’s the very opposite when you walk in.”
He reports that the home’s one-of-a-kind vibe has fueled a lot of interest.
“There aren’t a lot of neighborhoods like this in Dallas that are for the modern lover,” he says. “If you’re looking for French Country, this [house] isn’t your place. You’re coming to this neighborhood because you want modern and love that vibe.”
This is final article of a three-part series on how he stumbled into real estate investing at age 23. Be sure to read part one and part two.
In the second part of this series, I discussed two mistakes I made when jumping into real estate investing. Despite running a successful property management company and knowing how the business worked:
I bought a negative cash flow property without an emergency fund
I got emotionally involved
In the conclusion of this series, I want to share three additional mistakes I made, and give my final thoughts on my experience. Let’s jump right in.
Mistake #3: I had a short-term mentality
I had just purchased an 8-unit apartment building, the value of which would take several years to restore. Despite knowing this, I was operating as if I could solve all the issues in the first four weeks. But it simply wasn’t going to happen. In real-estate slang, I had just bought the quintessential “buy-and-hold” property, but was approaching it as an aggressive “flip“.
On paper, I knew it was a long-term game all along. I had even cited the 2012 Super Bowl (being held in Indy) as having potential to add value to the area when we were pitching our buying plan. Once I signed the dotted line, I allowed my excitement to take control and I tried to inject value into the property as fast as I could. That almost never results in a positive outcome.
In my rush to make my first real estate purchase into a record-setting success story, I was actually doing serious harm. This unrealistic mindset:
caused me to rush decisions,
increased the stress of minor setbacks, and
encouraged more emotional attachment.
In hindsight, ensuring that I had a realistic mindset (on more than just paper) would have made a large, tangible difference. This was one of the few areas that I could have quickly corrected even after the purchase.
Mistake #4: I focused too much on price
As I outlined in part one, we had purchased 8 units for under $80,000. While only three tenants were paying, all units had occupants (meaning they were at least semi-livable). The price was so low, I couldn’t focus on anything else.
One of the main reasons for the low price was the neighborhood: It wasn’t just a low income area — it was one of the lowest income areas in the entire city. The units rented for an average of $450/month, which included all utilities.
Economically depressed neighborhoods bring plenty of unexpected issues for first-time real estate investors. I had factored in a higher vacancy rate and knew the average tenant would be more transient than normal. However, I hadn’t accounted for the emotional impact of dealing with issues like drug addictions or existing racial tensions.
I was especially naive of any racial issues. My race differed from the majority of my new tenants; I didn’t anticipate it, but this caused additional hurdles in many situations. As it turns out, you didn’t have to travel very far to find examples of racist landlords in the area. Whether I liked it or not, this was a real barrier that I had to work to break through.
Focusing too much on price also meant I skipped looking into problems with the paying tenants. One of the three paying tenants when we took over was named…Amber (at least that’s what we’ll call her here).
Amber had at least two, completely opposite personalities. The first was of a stereotypical southern belle. She’d greet me with a warm smile, invite me inside, and offer me something to drink or eat. She’d say things like, “I hope you have a Jesus day,” whenever I’d leave. The first three times we met, I assumed she was the best tenant of the whole building.
Unfortunately, Amber’s second personality was less friendly. It involved ranting, screaming, and at least three explicit words per sentence. She’d call and leave 17 voicemails within a hour, each one more incoherent than the last. At times it was so bizarre I felt like pinching myself to be sure I was conscious.
Despite annoying several of the other tenants and causing numerous problems for us, she paid her rent in full and on time. As I pointed out in part two of the series, our lack of emergency fund put us in a situation where kicking out any paying tenant was a very hard decision.
The final straw came one day when we were having a company install new furnaces in the building. Amber intentionally waited until the crew was almost done with the job and dialed the fire department. She claimed that the HVAC company was trying to kill her by piping gas straight into her apartment through the air ducts. As you would expect (and appreciate), the fire department takes any calls of gas leaks very seriously.
Within ten minutes, there were three fire trucks parked outside of the building. While examining Amber’s unit, she also took the liberty of informing the firemen that the HVAC crew had molested her cat. The biggest problem with her story was…she didn’t even have a cat.
While the fire department quickly realized the problem likely existed in Amber’s head, they weren’t taking any chances. It took almost 90 minutes to allow them to check every unit and for the HVAC company to demonstrate the condition of the new furnaces (which hadn’t been turned on yet). At the end of the day, the HVAC company had done everything 100% correct and there was no trace of even the slightest leak.
I left the property and drove straight to the courthouse to file the eviction. I had a long list of violations and tenant complaints against Amber and the on-time monthly payment was no longer worth the hassle. I had dealt with volatile tenants before, but nothing like what I had inherited in Amber!
Mistake #5: I should have partnered to eliminate my weaknesses
What I wanted to do was buy a property in decent physical condition with existing management issues. After all, management was (supposedly) what I was good at. However, I ended up buying a property with both management and physical issues.
While I had people that I trusted to do repairs and maintenance work, I had absolutely no experience in knowing what it would take to get certain jobs done. I was a relationships guy: I did a great job at acquiring clients, managing tenants, and finding dependable people to execute the repairs. What I couldn’t do was swing a hammer, let alone estimate what it would cost to replace the gutters.
And while I did have a partner, we had similar strengths and similar weaknesses. Looking back, we should have brought on an additional partner whose strength was in repairs and maintenance issues. This would have allowed us to focus on the management without distraction and would have lowered our need for money upfront.
An alternative solution would have been to partner with someone with deeper pockets who could properly fund our needs. It would have cost us more to outsource all the repairs (which we did anyway), but we could have made up the money by focusing more on our own strengths.
Concluding Thoughts
After a volatile year of management and countless hours of effort, I transferred the property for an amount that netted me around $10,000. To be fair, I had also made between $2,000-$4,000 throughout the year. But I’m actually terrified to think of what my hourly rate would be if I factored in the amount of time I spent researching, buying, managing, and eventually selling the units. All things considered, it could have turned out drastically worse. I consider myself very lucky.
Despite my turbulent experience, I’m not against real estate investing. In my experience (with both my own situation and many of my clients), most first-time investors rush into their purchases. My hope is not to discourage people from investing in real estate; instead, I hope that sharing my naive mistakes will help people evaluate whether they have the stability to invest and what type of property best fits their strengths and risk tolerance.
The property I bought was an amazing deal; I still believe that to be true. However, as you can tell from the series, I believe it was a terrible mistake on my part to purchase it. So if you take anything away from my experience, let it be this:
Real estate investing is subjective. A property or purchase can be a fantastic deal for one person and a horrible mistake for another. Crunching the numbers is essential, but you’ve got to take the steps to ensure it fits into your portfolio and life plans. Finally, keeping your emotions out of the process is going to be harder than you think. Prepare extra for this!
Despite everything, Courtney and I still plan to include real estate rentals in our long-term plans. It’ll be at least 5-10 years down the road for us. Once we’ve finished paying off debt and saved heavily for retirement and college, we’ll be ready for round two of real estate investing.
At the very least, we’ll have plenty of first-hand mistakes from which we can build!
J.D.’s note: Wow! As I mentioned when Adam started this series, I find myself drawn to real-estate investing. I have no experience with it, have no handyman skills, and have no spare time, but there’s just something about owning rentals that appeals to me. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately, depending on how you look at it), after Adam’s series on being a landlord, I don’t think Kris is ever going to let me own a rental!
America is strongest when her people are strong. Therefore, when considering policy to improve our nation, we should always incentivize striving with an emphasis on equality of opportunity, understanding that a rising tide lifts all boats.
In my role as president of the Jack Kemp Foundation, I moderated an “Innovations in Affordable Housing” webinar. The webinar featured a panel of nationally known affordable housing experts, hosted by affordable housing developer National CORE, with the Sarasota Housing Authority, the National Multi Housing Council (NMHC) and the Housing Partnership Network (HPN) as panelists.
These policy leaders highlighted innovative solutions being pursued across the country to combat homelessness, house low-income families, and use affordable housing as a tool to improve the lives of those who need a hand up, not a handout.
What did we learn?
First, skyrocketing rents are placing a severe strain on families, seniors, and disabled persons of limited financial means as they seek affordable places to live. The most obvious impact is an increase in homelessness – which creates a host of additional community challenges. But this crisis also saps families’ resources for basic necessities and limits economic mobility.
We learned that the costs to build affordable housing rental units are also soaring. This makes it more difficult than ever to meet housing demand for lower-income families, since the rents they can afford do not cover the capital and operating costs of building new housing.
But one thing we have learned over the last 50 years is that we cannot just throw money at the problem. The cost of having federal taxpayers fund the full cost of needed affordable housing units – or subsidizing rents – is prohibitive and unrealistic. So, we need to be wise. We need to leverage our limited federal funding sources to access private sources of capital, using market-based approaches that maximize efficiency of the federal dollars being spent.
We need to prioritize local solutions.
Top-down federal grant programs, in silos separated by federal agencies and hampered by cumbersome rules, are not the answer. The housing tax credit program is a good model. Funds are competitively allocated by states to individual developments, ongoing accountability is maximized by the need to maintain tax eligibility for investor tax deductions and local developers compete for scarce dollars based on need and the merit of their proposals.
We also need to focus on people, not just buildings. Our affordable housing programs cannot just be about warehousing people living in poverty. They need to be about promoting the health, well-being and economic mobility of low-income families living in affordable housing. Our policies should focus on root causes of homelessness, such as mental health and addiction, as well as accessing health care and other community services.
Unfortunately, our housing policies are often grounded in the distant past.
HUD funds over $200 million a year for service coordinators to help families and seniors access services in their local communities. But these programs are arbitrarily limited to public and Section 8 housing units. This means that almost 100% of the new affordable housing built in the last 50 years – and the residents they serve – are ineligible for these grants. And there are no federal programs that directly fund resident services in federally funded affordable housing.
Congress should expand eligibility for resident services for low-income families – a good investment of federal funds. Accessing local health care services can help seniors avoid the alternative of nursing homes, which cost taxpayers considerably more as they pick up the tab through Medicaid.
Family self-sufficiency resident services are also a good investment. Such programs help low-income residents gain educational and occupational skills – which can help them take the step to affording market-price homes. Each time this happens, it’s the equivalent of building a new affordable housing unit for another low-income family.
The April 13 panel also explored other priorities that Congress should pursue. There is an almost universal consensus among housing advocates that the volume of low-income housing tax credits must be boosted. One panelist argued for adoption of the Neighborhood Homes Act, which would establish a federal tax credit for new construction or substantial rehabilitation of affordable, owner-occupied housing in distressed urban, suburban, and rural neighborhoods.
Another panelist suggested creating tax incentives for the long-term preservation of affordable housing units owned by qualified nonprofits, a far more cost-effective approach than building new units.
There is no shortage of ideas for meeting the modern-day challenges of affordable housing. I hope the ideas circulating in our webinar can spur further national discussion and debate in Congress about the most effective ways to modernize policy prescriptions and meet that challenge in a way that helps all Americans flourish.
Jimmy Kemp is the President of the Jack Kemp Foundation.
This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of HousingWire’s editorial department and its owners.
To contact the author of this story: Jimmy Kemp at [email protected]
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Sarah Wheeler at [email protected]
Would readers take a gondola to Dodger Stadium from Union Station?
Several hundred people weighed in on a potential new way to reach Dodgers games, first proposed by then-owner Frank McCourt in 2018 and still alive, now shepherded by an environmental organization that hopes to take cars off the streets and keep pollutants out of the air. We asked readers if they would or would not use the gondola, or if they were not sure.
By just a few votes, “yes” received the most responses. Here are the areas that readers cited the most as factors in their decisions:
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Is Union Station easier than Dodger Stadium lots?
A common theme among respondents: Is the Union Station-to-Dodger Stadium route more convenient? Does it save time? For many, the answer was a resounding no. But many people said they’d use it for a variety of reasons.
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If I arrive at the boarding station at a reasonable time before first pitch, what guarantee do I have that I will not be stuck in line rather than in the stadium 30 minutes later? And, after the game, the last of those fans won’t be boarding their ride back until 60-plus minutes postgame … standing in line. And that’s just to get back to the station.
The Stadium needs better access — I can afford to go to games, in decent seats, but I choose not to because the traffic is ludicrous. The stadium desperately needs multiple accesses.
And … today’s environment also demands better security. Good luck to them in resolving their dilemma.
Answer: No
Chip Ossman, Altadena
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If improvements in total commute time and total price were a net positive I would definitely take it. If I have to Uber to the Expo Line to take it to Union Station and then get on the gondola, that sounds like a lot of work and the costs add up. Especially if we have a group.
Answer: Not sure
Patrick Pennel, Los Angeles
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I already park blocks away from the stadium and walk there because I detest the lot so much. It’s easy to get into but a nightmare after the games are over. A gondola would make going and leaving much easier and take less time.
Answer: Yes
Joe Kornbrodt, Los Angeles
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How long is the line going to be? The line for the current Union Station buses makes them impractical.
By my math and the numbers in the article (24 people every 23 seconds), it would take almost three hours to move the 10,000 fans the article talks about. Something doesn’t add up.
Fwiw, I’ve shared season tickets with others since 1992 and go to about 15 games a year.
Answer: Not sure
Wesley Monroe, Pasadena
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We need more public transportation in Los Angeles. How fun and easy. Train to gondola to stadium. I would go see a concert there if it were that easy.
Answer: Yes
Tamra Davis, Malibu
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I could take the train to L.A. from Ventura and not worry about traffic. I would definitely come to more games.
Answer: Yes
Anita Guerrini, Ventura
More Frank McCourt?
Frank McCourt did not sell the Dodger Stadium parking lots when he sold the Dodgers for a billion-dollar profit in 2012. Instead, winning bidder Guggenheim Baseball Management formed a joint venture with a McCourt entity to control the parking lots. Though Mark Walter, the Dodgers’ chairman and controlling owner, said McCourt can’t develop anything on the property without Guggenheim’s consent, McCourt’s name was a cause for concern for readers who offered their thoughts.
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I drink beer before getting into the stadium, my bladder couldn’t hold it in for the seven minute (estimated ride time) and that’s including the wait times lol ….besides, I hate that McCourt would somehow be involved with this …can’t stand the dude, for the way he treated our Dodgers….anyway just my opinion ✌️
Answer: Not sure
Tony Perez, Los Angeles
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It would be an adventure and add to the excitement of game day, like going to Philippe’s before the game. I’m not thrilled about a ton of development there. I also can’t think of a single person who likes the idea of giving so much as a penny to Frank McCourt.
Answer: Yes
Dan McCarrel, Diamond Bar
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Parking is not a pleasant experience at Dodger Stadium. I go to 20-plus games a year and park in Chinatown to avoid the hassle. It’s a walk of slightly more than a mile each way and after the game it’s downhill! A side bonus is not paying McCourt any money for parking. I would hate to support anything that benefits the guy who tried to destroy the home team.
Answer: Not sure
Deborah Vogel, South Pasadena
Is it really better for the area?
It is repulsive to me to have a gondola rising above the people and houses of the community who are near Dodger Stadium. That community has had to endure traffic through the streets and now a gondola above them is horrible. The cons outweighs the pros. This is another example of the rich exploiting the poor.
Answer: No
Susie Chow, Monterey Park
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I’m a resident in the community and NO, I would not set foot on the gondola. Residents like me would boycott and protest the gondola if it were built. This is not an iconic tourist attraction or innovative green transit solution. This is an ill-conceived boondoggle that is being pushed on us with a bunch of lies. If built, this gondola would be a monument to the exploitation and marginalization of our communities.
Besides, what good is a seven-minute ride if you have to stand in line for an hour to board the gondola? And where would everyone who drives to the gondola park? What good is it if the traffic is just redirected into our neighborhoods instead of into Dodger Stadium? This gondola will be a toy for a select few. Does anyone really believe that the tickets will remain free, that they won’t eventually jack up prices or charge an exorbitant membership fee for people to jump the long lines at the gondola stations? Nothing about this project adds up.
Answer: No
Phyllis Ling, Los Angeles
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People will either keep driving to the Dodger Stadium parking lots, or they will drive to Chinatown in order to hop on the gondola. This will turn the neighborhood of Chinatown into the Dodger Stadium parking lot, which means Chinatown will take on even more of the automobile traffic, noise, trash and public urination from beer-imbibing Dodger fans, and its residents will find all of their street parking disappear on game days. Meanwhile, these gondola cabins are proposed to be flying overhead (and not very high overhead either) every 30 seconds or so all year long? In service fewer than 100 game days and concert days? At a ticket price which remains unknown?
The stakeholders of Chinatown/Olvera Street were never asked if we wanted this — instead, we were told that this was already in the works and then asked if we thought the renderings were pretty. People assume that the gondola cabins will soar high in the sky over Los Angeles, but they will mostly be barely 30-40 feet above the pavement and above homes in some instances. They will cut down a swath of mature trees at the L.A. State Historic Park in order to make room for the new station and the flight path. This is information you can only access if you read through the thousands of pages of the DEIR (Draft Environmental Impact Report).
Answer: No
Tany Ling, Los Angeles
A matter of trust
Would need to park and ride, easier and faster to just drive to Dodger Stadium.
Also, many leave the stadium drunk or amped up, I would not like to share a small gondola, especially when with family.
Answer: No
Russ Randall, Santa Clarita
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My concerns about the gondola include earthquakes and power outages. What would happen to passengers in either case? Also how many homes or businesses would displaced? Dodger Stadium already has a tainted history in that regard.
Answer: Not sure
Lisa Babilonia, Nev.
More development?
I could take Metro and skip the traffic completely. It’s the only way I’d consider going to see a game — especially if there are bars and restaurants making it more of an entertainment destination all year. It’s well past time for residents and visitors to the area to be able to visit major destinations without needing to drive in the (world famous!) bad traffic.
Answer: Yes
David Swift, Pasadena
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The gondola would be a world-class attraction for L.A.!! Quit worrying about who may profit. I don’t like Frank any more than you do, but having shopping, dining, and apartments near the ballpark makes sense. Look at how Anaheim has created an entire apartment village around their ballpark. It’s attracted thousands of young people who never would have considered Anaheim. We need more housing. Everyone opposes urban sprawl and building in fire-prone areas outside the city … everyone opposes building inside the city … that’s why there is so much corruption for getting buildings approved through city hall. Is it any surprise we have a housing shortage?!!! Include some affordable housing so some of the stadium workers live nearby.
Answer: Yes
Dave Schafer, Torrance ::
Parking is expensive and difficult. Plus, the gondola also serves Cornfields Park and the restaurants in that neighborhood for before/after game fun.
I also support redeveloping these parking lots into something far more useful than black asphalt. It’s a disgraceful waste of land when there’s an opportunity for the city to broker a win-win-win scenario (more parkland, less surface parking, centrally located housing, and more attractive shops/businesses/restaurants). There’s also a chance to build an entire community from a clean slate that incorporates today’s best practices for sustainability, walkability, etc.
Founded in 1981, the Kimpton brand quickly became one of the largest boutique hotel chains in the United States.
Inspired by the artistic flair of small European hotels, founder Bill Kimpton was an early adopter of a locally focused hotel experience, creating a brand known for its eclectic style tied to the culture and vibe of the surrounding neighborhood.
Today, there are Kimpton properties in 52 cities across the world, with over 20 new properties slated to debut over the coming years.
When IHG acquired the Kimpton brand in 2014, the hotel’s portfolio grew in value, too. IHG loyalists were finally able to earn and redeem points for boutique hotel stays, which had been historically a tricky proposition, not only within IHG but with any of the major hotel points programs.
With so many appealing hotels to pick from in some of TPG’s top travel destinations, choosing favorites is never easy. But, from Asheville, North Carolina, to London, England, here are some of TPG’s most loved Kimpton Hotels.
Kimpton Fitzroy London
Bloomsbury, London, England, United Kingdom
KIMPTON FITZROY LONDON/FACEBOOK
Best for: Travelers who want a hotel with the personality of a grande dame without any stuffiness.
Why stay here: This stunning building inspired by a 16th-century chateau delivers all the modern amenities you could need — and you can even book it with points.
Located in the leafy, residential enclave of Bloomsbury, home to the British Museum and multiple universities, the Kimpton Fitzroy London is widely considered to be one of London’s finest hotels — and something of a local institution.
From the jaw-dropping marble lobby filled with life-size statues of British monarchs to the impeccable service from the gracious staff, this century-old property is steeped in history and tradition.
Architect Charles Fitzroy Doll is said to have used the property’s dining room as inspiration for another of his famous design projects, the ill-fated Titanic’s first-class dining room.
Related: The complete guide to flying to London on points and miles
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The 334 accommodations range from standard guest rooms to specialty suites and pay homage to the hotel’s glamorous 1920s heyday without sacrificing modern amenities. Expect a soothing neutral color scheme and elegant styling with occasional dashes of British whimsy (pillows detailing “Lucky George,” the hotel’s so-called resident dragon, for instance), a Nespresso coffee machine, luxurious Azzi Glasser toiletries, rainfall showers and heated bathroom floors.
Make time for a delightful afternoon tea in the Palm Court, and for a perfect preamble to a night on the tiles, slink into a velour sofa at Fitz’s and order a Burnt Ice cocktail.
Rates at the Kimpton Fitzroy London start at $261 or 55,000 IHG One Rewards points per night.
Kimpton Canary
Santa Barbara, California, USA
KIMPTON CANARY HOTEL/FACEBOOK
Best for: Bringing your dog along to explore this city and its surroundings without sacrificing luxury.
Why stay here: For a heart-of-town location with Spanish Colonial-inspired rooms, friendly service and a sweet little rooftop pool, not to mention Kimpton hallmarks like nightly wine hour.
The 97-key Kimpton Canary Hotel is in downtown Santa Barbara, a 6-minute drive from West Beach. Recently renovated, the property’s charming Mediterranean design runs through the public spaces with original terra cotta floors, exposed wooden beams, wrought-iron fittings and brass fixtures.
Up in the guest rooms (which start at 300 square feet), the Spanish theme continues with luxe touches, including romantic four-poster canopy beds dressed with Italian linens, dark wood floors, and beautifully tiled bathrooms with Atelier Bloem bath amenities. Yogis will also appreciate Kimpton’s complimentary yoga mat for practicing their sun salutations.
Related: The best hotels in Santa Barbara
Besides the prime location, thoughtful amenities and warm design, the Kimpton Canary’s main calling card is its rooftop pool — the only one in the city. The hotel’s farm-to-table restaurant, Finch & Fork, is also a relaxed spot for dinner after spending a day out on the Urban Wine Trail.
While there is no spa directly on the property, the hotel partners with Float Luxury Spa, which offers experiences ranging from massages to a multitude of body treatments.
Rates at the Kimpton Canary Hotel start at $360 or 60,000 IHG One Rewards points per night.
Kimpton St Honoré Paris
Second Arrondissement, Paris, France
JEROME GALLAND/KIMPTON ST. HONORE/FACEBOOK
Best for: IHG One Rewards members who want to earn or redeem points for a unique stay in Paris.
Why stay here: Take advantage of Kimpton’s quick European expansion to book this luxury-adjacent property near many of Paris’ most exciting sights.
Located in the central Second Arrondissement, Kimpton’s flagship Paris property, the St Honoré, is the definition of chic. A francophile’s dream, the 149 guest rooms range between 200 and 300 square feet (typical dimensions in this neighborhood) and are designed to resemble stylish Parisian apartments, with high ceilings, hardwood floors, art deco accents, plush cream-colored drapes, and a soothing white and beige color palette with pops of pink and red.
Related: The best hotels in Paris
After a day exploring the city, unwind at the on-site spa, which offers custom massages and treatments that incorporate products from French skincare brand Codage. The spa also has a small indoor heated pool and sauna, and there’s a fitness center with treadmills, ellipticals and free weights.
Guests can also make use of complimentary bespoke Infine Cycles bicycles to explore the neighborhood. Kimpton brand devotees will be pleased to know that its customary drinks reception and social hour is hosted in the lobby daily.
Don’t miss a ride in the wrought-iron elevator up to the California-inspired Sequoia Rooftop bar, where you can enjoy 360-degree views of the City of Light while sipping on a glass of rose.
Rates at the Kimpton St Honoré Paris start at $509 or 74,000 IHG One Rewards points per night.
Kimpton Angler’s Hotel South Beach
South Beach, Miami, USA
KIMPTON ANGLER’S SOUTH BEACH MIAMI
Best for: Travelers looking for a carefree stay in South Beach.
Why stay here: An art deco-inspired resort on the beach with a rooftop pool and sun deck — what more could you ask for from a South Beach hotel?
There are a few things that aren’t negotiable if you want to be considered one of the best hotels in Miami: a rooftop pool, beach access and an effortless mix of relaxation and upbeat vibes. Kimpton Angler’s Hotel South Beach checks off all three in a setting fit for everything from a quick weekend getaway to a posh stay with a side of soaking up the rays.
Redesigned in 2019 with a Mediterranean inspiration, this South Beach hideaway has a plethora of amenities that give any stay a glow-up. The rooftop pool and bar area is strictly adults-only, and venues like Minnow Bar and Seawell Fish N’ Oyster feature locally sourced seafood and refreshing cocktails.
If you want to step things up for a truly memorable stay, there are a few private villas and bungalows that come with secluded rooftop terraces or private outdoor hot tubs. You don’t have to worry about missing out on cardio while here, as the hotel offers guests complimentary bicycles to pedal around the beach. You’ll even find yoga mats in every guest room and suite for morning or sundown stretching.
Not ready to check out? We love how the hotel offers complimentary 2 p.m. late checkout to anyone who is a member of the IHG One Rewards program.
Rates at the Kimpton Angler’s Hotel South Beach start at $130 or 28,500 IHG One Rewards points per night.
Kimpton DeWitt
Amsterdam, Netherlands
KIMPTON DEWITT, AMSTERDAM/IHG.COM
Best for: Solo travelers or vacations with friends for a quick weekend getaway.
Why stay here: Take advantage of this hotel’s location — close to the Anne Frank House and Royal Palace.
Do being the first and being the best go hand in hand? The Kimpton De Witt Hotel certainly has a strong case. The hotel was Kimpton’s first foray into the European boutique hotel market after opening its doors in 2017.
This 274-room hotel in Amsterdam’s City Centre manages to feel like a more intimate boutique hotel thanks to its attention to detail and amenities like Frette bathrobes, an evening wine reception and blue-and-white-tiled bathrooms with rainfall shower heads. Don’t forget to say hello to Max, the hotel’s adorable four-legged director of pets, but be careful if you’re carrying food: He’s a fan of cheese and always welcomes a shared nibble with guests!
With minimalist modern decor throughout the hotel, including tiles inspired by Dutch florals and brass finishings, there’s a refined elegance and sophistication that pervades the public spaces.
When checking in, you really can’t miss the neon-lit Super Lyan cocktail bar, which is a concept by noted nightlife maven Ryan Chetiyawardana. For those looking for a more laid-back night out, Celia, the hotel’s California-inspired restaurant, is an inviting space with special events like Margarita Monday and Taco Tuesday.
Rates at the Kimpton De Witt Hotel start at $300 or 59,000 IHG One Rewards points per night.
Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa
Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
KIMPTON SEAFIRE GRAND CAYMAN/DON RIDDLE/FACEBOOK
Best for: Families, thanks to a kids club with lots of programming, an action-packed water park and special family suites complete with bunk beds.
Why stay here: The cuisine is farm-to-table at all three of the resort’s restaurants — and kids younger than 5 eat for free.
The Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa was Kimpton’s first true Caribbean resort property, and it remains one of our favorites in the entire brand portfolio thanks to its personalized service and postcard-worthy beachfront location. Complete with two pools, a host of restaurants and the Spa at Seafire, there is a wide array of ways to unwind and relax during your stay.
From the minute they step on the property, guests are enveloped in tranquil blue Caribbean waters. If the warm weather and beckoning sea aren’t inviting enough, your guest room or suite will surely do the trick. Every accommodation has its own private balcony, and almost all come with a beachfront view. With all it has to offer, the Kimpton Seafire is ideal for anything from family vacations to romantic honeymoons or solo spa trips.
For those looking for the ultimate decadence, some suites are far larger than the average home: The more-than-4,200-square-foot 2-Bedroom Presidential Suite Oceanfront comes with a private wraparound balcony and an outdoor kitchen to dine alfresco from your top-of-the-hotel perch.
Downstairs, combine a love of books with a love of a great cocktail at Library by the Sea. We especially appreciate the Agatha Christie-inspired, Champagne-based Murder in the Afternoon, a sultry sip fit for the Orient Express (just hold the murder, please). Coccoloba is the hub of beachfront dining with plenty of delicacies to dabble in after splashing in the waves: chips and salsa, ceviche and a healthy lineup of tacos (the charred octopus ones are scrumptious) amid a wide range of Mexican street food.
Avecita is the hotel’s formal Spanish tapas-style restaurant and is great for date night with dishes like grilled branzino and crab claws.
Rates at the Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa start at $522 or 70,000 IHG One Rewards points per night.
Kimpton Margot Sydney
Sydney, Australia
ANDREW J LOITERTON/KIMPTON MARGOT SYDNEY/IHG.COM
Best for: Kimpton devotees looking for classy lodgings Down Under.
Why stay here: One of Sydney’s newest hotels is actually in a historic building with all kinds of art deco flourishes, not to mention one of the city’s best cocktail bars.
The only Kimpton Down Under, and a rather new one to boot, the Kimpton Margot Sydney takes up space in a 1939 art deco building that used to be the Sydney Water Head Office in the Central Business District (often referred to as the CBD).
There’s lot to enjoy at this CBD Kimpton, like a stunning lobby full of seating vignettes and soaring columns, and an eclectic mix of art, knickknacks, patterns and designs.
One major highlight is the hotel’s food and beverage scene, which is especially exciting due to the presence of Luke’s Kitchen from celebrated Australian chef Luke Mangan. Throw in a chic art deco lobby bar and a rooftop pool bar, and it’s guaranteed you won’t go hungry or thirsty.
Related: The best ways to use points and miles to fly from the US to Australia
In the rooms, guests will find large accommodations with high ceilings, big windows, touchscreen buttons to control the lights, USB chargers, Nespresso machines and minibars stocked with Australian favorites. And though this hotel might not be near the waters of Bondi Beach, a quick trip from the guest room to the rooftop pool is surely the next best thing.
Rates at the Kimpton Margot Sydney start at $190 or 32,000 IHG One Rewards points per night.
Kimpton Hotel Arras
Asheville, North Carolina, USA
KIMPTON HOTEL ARRAS/FACEBOOK
Best for: Art aficionados who love high-end design touches.
Why stay here: You can’t beat this hotel’s proximity to Asheville’s thriving craft beer scene and the arts district.
In bohemian, craft-beer-loving Asheville, no hotel stands taller, literally, than the Kimpton Hotel Arras, which happens to be the highest building in town and all of Western North Carolina. It’s also one of the city’s most popular hotels thanks to gorgeous views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a downtown location near great restaurants, bars, breweries and shopping, not to mention its own North Carolina-infused Mediterranean restaurant, Bargello.
In the rooms, guests will find art from local artist Catherine Murphy, floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the space with natural light, large desks and Kimpton’s signature yoga mats. In the accommodations and throughout the hotel, more local artworks abound, and the reception desk can even provide a detailed brochure about all of the pieces.
After an art crawl through the property, be sure to stop by District 42 for a craft cocktail like the Sage of 6 Paths ($18) that’s made up of sage-infused Altos Reposado, Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, Licor 43, lime juice, simple syrup and egg whites, plus a hearth-fired pizza to round it out.
Rates at the Kimpton Hotel Arras start at $275 or 42,000 IHG One Rewards points per night.
Kimpton Hotel Eventi
Chelsea, New York City, New York, USA
KIMPTON HOTEL EVENTI/FACEBOOK
Best for: IHG loyalists who want great value thanks to Kimpton’s cool amenities.
Why stay here: Kimpton’s complimentary wine hour is just one more way a stay here can help you save on a pricey New York City trip.
With a handful of Kimpton hotels in New York City, it’s tricky to know which one to pick, but our top choice is the Kimpton Hotel Eventi in Chelsea, near major attractions like the Empire State Building, Madison Square Garden and Penn Station. Its central location also makes it a breeze to get across the city.
Inside the hotel, which takes up an entire city block, guests will find calming neutral colors and inviting velvet furniture, which is only enhanced by the natural sunlight pouring in from the floor-to-ceiling windows, in addition to a small fitness center, bikes to explore the city and a daily happy hour in the lobby.
Related: The best hotels in New York City, from luxury stays to points properties
Dining is an event at Eventi thanks to a slew of bars and restaurants, including the all-new steakhouse Skirt Steak, an Italian restaurant from Laurent Tourondel and American food with international influences at The Vine. Combine that with all the dining options that make up New York City and, no matter what you eat, your head will hit the pillow with a full stomach.
Rates at Kimpton Hotel Eventi start at $206 or 40,000 IHG One Rewards points per night.
Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
Manchester, England, United Kingdom
KIMPTON CLOCKTOWER, MANCHESTER, UK/IHG.COM
Best for: Travelers who appreciate a hotel filled with history.
Why stay here: Get fantastic value from this historic hotel with Victorian-inspired rooms in central Manchester.
Housed in a magnificent Victorian-era building in the heart of Manchester, this welcoming Kimpton retains a down-to-earth vibe despite its imposing public spaces.
The property’s thoughtfully designed rooms and ornate spaces stay true to Manchester’s industrial roots while reflecting the city’s two-decade-long evolution from gritty industrial center into a cutting-edge hub of art, culture and music.
The 281 loft-style guest rooms (including 11 suites) channel a warehouse-chic aesthetic and are stylishly appointed with soaring ceilings, cushy headboards, embroidered throw pillows, exposed tiles and gleaming bathrooms with white subway-style tiles and deep soaking tubs.
There’s a surfeit of excellent bars a short walk away on Canal Street, as well as myriad dining options nearby, but the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel’s on-site restaurant and bar, Refuge, is one of the best in town, serving a crowd-pleasing menu of light bites and entrees that take inspiration from the culinary heritage of Manchester’s multicultural denizens.
Amenities include a fitness center equipped with a range of cardiovascular and resistance training equipment, a yoga mat in every guest room, complimentary bikes to explore the city and, best of all, a new tailor-made Music Concierge service: Guests choose their own soundtrack in advance of their stay, and a record player and selection of vinyl will be delivered to their room on arrival.
Rates at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel start at $196 or 36,000 IHG One Rewards points per night.
You’ll find the best apartments in Philly in some of the best neighborhoods throughout the city. The hard part is narrowing down the search. That’s where your ‘must have’ list comes into play.
Asking yourself what amenities are important to you — a pool, a fitness center, a rooftop with a great view, etc. — can really help make your Philadelphia apartment hunt easier.
As you create your list of desired features though, don’t forget to add in the need for a usable outdoor space. You need somewhere functional and fun, where you can hang with friends or grab a moment of peace on your own under the sun.
For some of the best options on the market today, check out these 10 apartment complexes with great courtyards and gardens in Philadelphia.
Source: Rent. / Anova at uCity Square
Not exactly at ground level, but also not up on the roof, the courtyard at Anova at uCity Square packs in the amenities. The grills, pool and outdoor eating area are all contained in this space. There’s also a great lounge set up, with dual tabletop fire pits and a ton of seating.
Living in University City puts you at the academic heart of Philadelphia. This is the neighborhood that’s home to Drexel University, University of Pennsylvania and many other colleges. As a result, the area is full of affordable and casual places to eat and drink along with a crowd that’s culturally diverse, hip and active.
Source: Rent. / The Pepper Building
Sleek lines and pops of greenery give the courtyard at The Pepper Building seriously modern vibes. It’s a minimalist approach to a functional outdoor space with a two-color palette, a few overflowing planters and a variety of seating choices. Grab a spot on the couch, sit under an umbrella at the table or get comfortable in a lounger.
If you’re looking for a neighborhood that’s a bit more posh and high-end, Rittenhouse Square is the place for you. With its namesake park serving as the area’s anchor, you’re surrounded by chic bars and classy restaurants in addition to boutique shops, art galleries and day spas.
Source: Rent. / The Poplar
Without the space to create a traditional courtyard, The Poplar takes the mood of the space and moves it up onto the roof. This massive area holds a variety of amenities. Beyond the pup park, playground, splash pad and pool though, you’ll find this perfect hangout spot. By day or night, there’s nothing like congregating around a fire pit, especially when you have great views to keep you company.
Home to a lot of local artists, the East Poplar neighborhood is culturally diverse and creative. You’ll find a variety of international cuisines to enjoy as well as some unconventional art galleries. For some extra green space, head to East Poplar Playground. This 4.8-acre park has a spray ground, pool, sports fields, basketball courts and tennis courts along with a classic playground.
Source: Rent. / One Ardmore
It’s a double-decker courtyard that knocks your socks off at One Ardmore. Start by snagging a seat on the green grass of the top level and look down into the lower courtyard. While this garden-like area sits up high, below you’ll find places to kick back and hang, warm up around a fire and enjoy a meal with friends.
Located about 12 miles from Philadelphia, in Ardmore, you’ll find this community in the Main Line neighborhood. It’s not far from a variety of colleges, including Bryn Mawr and Villanova, while also being within walking distance of great shopping and fine dining. For those who commute into the city, you’re also able to walk to the SEPTA Ardmore train station for an easy ride into Philadelphia.
Source: Rent. / The View at Old City
The courtyard at The View at Old City is quite a sight to see. This tranquil space has it all, including the pool and grilling area with great prep space and a bar-height table long enough for a huge gathering. There’s also the perfect outdoor lounge space, with a coffee table fire pit, oversized couch and lots of chairs. You can swim, eat and lounge all within steps of each other.
If living beside history is important to you, then you need a community like Old City. This neighborhood is truly the birthplace of American independence which means there are all kinds of museums and historical points of interest throughout the area. In fact, the view at The View at Old City is of Ben Franklin Bridge, named for one of the city’s most famous residents. This is where you’ll find the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall as well.
Source: Rent. / The Enclaves
A funky art display companies the little garden at The Enclaves. With a series of sculptures on the wall, and incorporated into the garden’s awning, this is definitely a unique space. Flowers and a variety of bushes intermingle and a bricked walkway cuts through this tranquil space. There’s even a bench if you want to take a little break here.
To the south of the city, close to a golf course and sports arenas, you’ll find Packer Park. This is a smaller neighborhood with a peaceful atmosphere. Highly walkable, and with plenty of green space, the relaxing vibes are easy to access.
Source: Rent. / Apex Manayunk
Imagine how nice it would be to sit down to dine al fresco surrounded by fantastic greenery. Then, imagine how this space gets even better at night thanks to some excellent mood lighting. The garden/dining area at Apex Manayunk has all this. The raised plant beds actually form the booths where you can grab a meal with friends, surrounding you in greenery on three sides as you sit.
Set along the Schuylkill River, and its waterside walking trail, calling the Lower Northwest home gives you easy access to some of the area’s natural beauty as well as great shopping and dining. Nearby suburbs broaden your options when you want to head out, yet you’re not far from the hubbub of Philadelphia’s city center either.
Source: Rent. / Mansion at Bala
A gazebo and a little island of a garden are all you really need to get the essence of a relaxing spot, right? It works for Mansion at Bala. Placed within a much larger lawn, the oversized, wooden gazebo sits alongside meticulous landscaping. Essentially an island of flowers, plants and bushes among the green grass, this is a great spot to take a break.
To the west, Wynnefield is another ideal area of Philadelphia for those who want an urban neighborhood with proximity to outdoor activity. This spot is where you’ll find Fairmount Park. With over 2,000 acres spanning across the Schyulkill River, this amazing green space has hills, trails, waterfront and woodlands. You can fish off the pier, go off-road biking and horseback riding or tour historic mansions around the property. Outdoor concerts take place here, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art sits on edge of the park. This is also where you’ll find the oldest zoo in the country
Source: Rent. / Tower Place
Secluded from the noise of the city with a row of pruned bushes and greenery, and a wood-paneled divider, the cool lounge at Tower Place does not disappoint. This outdoor gem is the perfect piece of a larger courtyard. An extra long, curvy couch is the ideal spot for relaxing, and the large umbrella overhead keeps you cool in the shade. Other seating areas nearby provide more opportunities to sit down and connect with a friend or two.
When you call the Avenue of the Arts North neighborhood home, you’re living in the center of Philadelphia’s arts and entertainment scene. This strip of Broad Street, in the city’s center, focuses on arts and cultural institutions. It’s where you’ll find Opera Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Ballet and the Philadelphia Orchestra. There are a variety of galleries and theaters as well.
Source: Rent. / Brookview Elkins Park
There are a lot of wooded areas around Brookview Elkins Park, as well as great landscaping and plant beds full of flowers. The true community gem in all this greenery though is the wooden gazebo. With built-in seating and plenty of architectural detail, this is a beautiful spot to commune with nature.
About a 20-minute train ride or a 9.4-mile drive, Elkins Park lets you live in a quieter, more laidback Philadelphia neighborhood without being too far from the city center. While near Philadelphia’s most popular historical and cultural sites, Elkins Park has its own bit of history. You can tour Lynnewood Hall, the largest surviving Gilded Age mansion in the area, or visit local museums. There are plenty of parks, including a bird sanctuary and so much more.
Pick an apartment with one of the best gardens in Philadelphia
When living in a city with so much to offer on every level, narrowing down the best Philadelphia apartment for you may not be so easy. That’s why you’ve got to think about amenities, and what’s most important to you. It’s also why you need a great outdoor space to effectively take it all in. Find your dream apartment garden and schedule your tour today.
More than three quarters of homeowners across 20 large metro areas agree local governments should do more to keep housing affordable, and most agree that allowing more building would help, according to a new Zillow survey.
But while there is meager support for new large multifamily buildings, more than half of homeowners say they and others should be allowed to convert their homes to create additional housing.
That’s according to the latest Zillow Housing Aspirations Report, which asked homeowners for their feelings about how best to help quell affordability issues by allowing more homes into their neighborhoods, and comes as in-law suites and backyard cottages gain attention as possible solutions to sharply rising housing costs. Previous Zillow research has shown that even modest rezoning to allow for more accessory dwelling units – creating two, three or four dwellings where only one sits now – could spur the creation of millions of new homes nationwide.
This kind of mid-density is often referred to as “missing middle” housing, slotted between single detached homes and much larger apartment complexes of several hundred units. “Missing middle” units are the only type of home to have gotten more affordable in the past year, but very few have been built in the past 20 years compared to previous decades: They make up only 4.3% of homes built since 2000 compared with 8.2% in the 1980s.
In
all, 57% of those surveyed agreed that homeowners should be able to
add additional housing on their property, and 30% said they would be
willing to invest money to create housing on their own property if
allowed.
The
strongest support comes from younger and lower-income homeowners and
those in the West, where housing tends to be the most expensive. The
highest support was in the San Diego (70%), Seattle (67%) and San
Francisco (64%) metros, and the lowest was in the Detroit (47%),
Phoenix (50%) and Dallas (51%) areas.
Support
also was strongest among homeowners of color – two-thirds (67%) of
Black homeowners supported this type of density, compared with just
over half (54%) of white homeowners – perhaps because of persistent
homeownership gaps due in large part to historical discriminatory and
exclusionary housing policies.
Advocacy
was more muted for larger multifamily buildings. Only 37% of
homeowners surveyed said they would support a large apartment
building or complex in their neighborhood – and that support was more
starkly divided among generations. Nearly 60% of younger homeowners
(18-34) were open to large buildings, compared with only a quarter of
those 55 and older.
Overall
support for development of these larger apartments is highest in the
Chicago (47%), Miami (45%), Washington, D.C. (44%), and San Francisco
(43%) metro areas, and lowest in the Atlanta metro (29%).
However
housing comes about, more than three-quarters of homeowners surveyed
said single-family neighborhoods should remain that way, with more
older homeowners (81%) agreeing than younger homeowners (69%). And a
little more than half said adding homes was acceptable if they fit in
with the general look and feel of the neighborhood. Homeowners
expressed concern about the impact of more homes on traffic and
parking, with 76% saying that it would have a negative impact. About
half said it would have a positive impact on amenities and transit.
“In
an era of historically low supply and escalating housing prices, the
need for more solutions to create housing opportunities is greater
than ever. Our latest research shows that homeowners in major markets
are generally supportive of providing a range of housing options that
allow for not only more housing units, but also a diversity of
housing types in existing communities,” said Zillow senior
economist Cheryl Young. “Homeowners may continue to shy away
from adding large multifamily buildings nearby, but are open to
adding units in their own backyards. This ‘missing middle’ housing,
they believe, could help alleviate the housing crunch without
sacrificing neighborhood look and feel while improving local
amenities and transit. These findings show that broad-based support,
especially from homeowners, provides the middle ground necessary to
move the needle needed to bring relief to the housing crunch.”
Additional
Zillow research has shown that “missing middle” homes tend
to be more affordable. Renting a home in a 2-, 3-, and 4-unit
building is less expensive than a single-family house in 42 of the
largest 49 metros with available data.
Accessory
dwelling units also seem to be becoming more popular. While “in-law
units” and “cottages” are the most common listing
terms nationally for secondary units on Zillow, the term “ADUs”
rose to 5.7% in 2019 from 1.2% of listings in 2015. The share of
listings mentioning a secondary housing unit in any way rose from
1.7% of all listings to 1.9%. And the shift to using the term “ADU”
indicates that officially sanctioned secondary units are fast
becoming a valuable selling point.
Mike Wheatley is the senior editor at Realty Biz News. Got a real estate related news article you wish to share, contact Mike at [email protected]
We do our fair share of running around our cities exploring, perusing, eating, shopping and drinking. We call it “work,” but really, it’s what our life goals are made of! It’s an especially good day when we stumble upon something so good, we name it the best. We discovered this sweet shop over a year ago and have been loyal to it since. Every couple of months we pop in to see what newly curated treasures adorn the shelves and every time, every time, we fall in love with it all over again. Properly named and popularly adored, I Love Neighbor is the best decor store in Oakland and here’s why!
You’re strolling down Piedmont Ave on what’s likely a gorgeous day in Oakland. The East Bay is always good for sunshine! On any particular day, the City Across the Bay is at least 5 degrees warmer and the sky much sunnier than fog-ridden San Francisco. As you pass all of the usual suspects, some that have occupied the street for years – decades, even – Fenton’s Creamery, Lost and Found Antiques, Issues, you mosey past something new, fresh, young: I Love Neighbor. You go in duh! and your eyes become as big as saucers as they proceed to soak up every little nook and cranny of this gorgeously curated space.
Brass chandeliers made by local artists, glass and ceramic mobiles, vintage paintings and antique taxidermy all hang from the walls or soar from the tall, wood beam ceilings above you. Black and white Icelandic sheepskins, classic striped foutas, colorful Moroccan rugs and handmade textiles from artists in Brooklyn adorn a mid-century chair or spill over a dip-dyed ladder.
Locally made candles, cocktail syrups and shrubs, organic soaps and detergents peach oil laundry detergent. hello! line the chic shelves. Grey washed live-edge bowls, smoothly carved horn spoons, unique candlesticks, tiny leather coin pouches, brass scissors in every size and rope dog leashes all make the cut in their well-stocked cabinets.
And, the staff! Well, they’ll become your new best friends not only because they are so friendly, but they’ll also indulge you as you jabber about loving everrrrr-y-thing. They’ll likely tell you about the item in your hand and somehow convince you, in a way your best friend would, that you need it. The store is inviting, never stuffy or intimidating and there’s a backyard luring you in for “just a peek through the back door” yet it enticies you to sit down and stay a while – a neighborly Oakland mentality if we’ve ever seen one!
So if you’re in the neighborhood, stop by Neighbor. And if you’re not, do yourself a favor and be in the neighborhood! To all our buddies in San Francisco who rarely find themselves breaking out of their norm, I Love Neighbor is worth the quick drive over the bridge and we dare you, just dare you, to not fall in love!
original photography for apartment 34 by aubrie pick
It’s almost time for Dodger baseball. You’re rolling west along Sunset Boulevard, visions of Mookie Betts and Clayton Kershaw and Julio Urías happily dancing through your mind.
You’re one block from turning onto Vin Scully Avenue and into Dodger Stadium when you notice a black billboard, looming ominously above an auto repair shop called Fernando’s Tires. The billboard features this name, in bright white letters: Frank McCourt.
That guy?
Yes, that guy, the one who traded two Boston parking lots and what one of his attorneys said was “not a penny” of his own cash for ownership of the Dodgers. Yes, the one who dragged the storied team into bankruptcy amid Major League Baseball allegations he had “looted” $189 million from team revenues for personal use. And, yes, the one who laughed all the way to the bank, selling the Dodgers for a billion-dollar profit in 2012.
He did not, however, sell the parking lots that surround the stadium. In 2018, he pitched a gondola that would transport fans from Union Station to Dodger Stadium.
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Five years later, the proposal is still alive, now shepherded by an environmental organization delighted at the prospect of the gondola taking cars off the streets and keeping pollutants out of the air. That Sunset Boulevard billboard and others like it are brought to you by opponents of the gondola, taking aim at the project in part by relentlessly associating it with McCourt.
The Dodgers are guaranteed to play 81 games at Dodger Stadium every year, with playoff games traditionally added in October and concert dates sprinkled throughout the year. That leaves skeptics within the community to wonder why McCourt would promote a gondola ride to a stadium parking lot that would be empty three out of every four days during the year.
Unless, of course, the lot would not be empty.
McCourt’s company, now known as McCourt Global, highlights this slogan: “Building for tomorrow.” McCourt did not sell the Dodger Stadium parking lots because he anticipated building something there, some day.
What might that be? And is the gondola intended to carry us to that day?
The pursuit of those answers took me to Dodger Stadium, to City Hall and to a meeting of MLB owners. First, however, I stopped at a weathered red brick building in the Arts District, an old furniture and fabric warehouse reimagined as a laboratory for energy innovation.
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Three colorful banners greeted visitors, one with the hue of a bright blue sky. “Welcome,” that banner read, “to the Cleantech Future of Power and Water.”
The interior comes alive with vibrancy and urgency, and with work on dozens of concepts. Any one of them, building managers say, could emerge as “the next big idea to fight climate change.”
The Dodger Stadium gondola represents such an idea, according to its proponents. Climate Resolve, a nonprofit based in that building, agreed to take the reins from McCourt in leading the project.
“From my perspective,” said Climate Resolve founder and executive director Jonathan Parfrey, “to have a gondola transporting people from Union Station to Dodger Stadium, and to have that exciting, beautiful conveyance identified as a climate action?
“It changes the way people approach public transit. So it was very attractive to us.”
With baseball’s new hurry-up rules, you could miss half the game if you get stuck in Dodger Stadium’s oft-snarled traffic and get to your seat an hour after the first pitch.
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The gondola alternative: get to Union Station, hop aboard a spacious cabin that could arrive every 23 seconds, soar high above the city, and arrive at Dodger Stadium in seven minutes.
The climate benefit is easy to envision: fewer fans in cars powered by gasoline; more fans in gondolas powered by electricity.
A promotional video for the proposed Dodger Stadium gondola project released by Los Angeles Aerial Rapid Transit.
The climate downside is easy to envision too: massive development at Dodger Stadium, with neighborhood disruption for years of construction, and with cars converging upon the stadium every day, not just on game days.
“I’m involved in this project,” Parfrey said, “and I brought my organization into this project, predicated on there not being development on that land.”
Not now, or not ever?
“Not for the foreseeable future,” he said.
Parfrey said he had been given “assurances” that the gondola was not a first step toward Dodger Stadium development. I asked who had given him those assurances, or who I could ask to get those same assurances.
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“Ask Frank,” he said.
Near Lot G at Dodger Stadium, along the long slog from the outer reaches of the parking lots to a stadium entrance behind left field, a colorful model of a gondola cabin awaits you. You can step inside the 24-seat cabin, then imagine a ride that would allow you to skip traffic to the ballpark and instead, as the signage reads: “GET THERE BY AIR.”
You can even find a helpful decal, showing you where to stand to take a picture with the gondola cabin in the foreground and the stadium in the background.
The display of a model cabin takes a page from the playbook for pitching a new stadium or arena. Models and renderings can excite fans, but they also can obscure a critical question about any big project: Looks cool, but who is going to pay for this?
The cost of building the gondola was estimated at $300 million in 2020 and is expected to rise by the time a financing plan is finalized, said David Grannis of Point C Partners, a transportation and land use consultancy working with Climate Resolve.
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The McCourt entity that originated the gondola concept, LA Aerial Rapid Transit, has agreed to fund the approval process, including environmental studies and permit applications, project spokesman Nathan Click said. It is up to Climate Resolve to figure out how to pay for construction, as well as for annual operating costs Grannis estimated at between $5 million and $10 million.
The gondola won’t make money, at least not under the current plan of free rides for fans with a Dodgers ticket and neighborhood residents with a Metro pass.
Parfrey said taxpayers would not be asked to subsidize the gondola.
The hundreds of millions would come from private financing, Grannis said, and largely from sponsorships and the purchase of naming rights.
In 2012, the airline Emirates agreed to pay about $60 million for a 10-year sponsorship of a London gondola — then called the Emirates Air Line — that carried riders above the River Thames and cost $96 million. The current one-way adult fare on the London gondola is $7.50.
“In this case,” Grannis said, “you have a venue that happens to be the best attended in Major League Baseball, and therefore the iconic nature of this cabin flying to Dodger Stadium and taking you there is going to attract a lot of sponsors, a lot of people who want naming rights or sponsorship.
“That’s the big revenue.”
Jeff Marks, the founder and chief executive of Innovative Partnerships Group, brokers naming rights and sponsorship deals between companies and teams, leagues and venues. He said it “could be doable” to cover the cost of building and operating the gondola through corporate sponsorships, but he said even the most generous sponsor might not be willing to strike a nine-figure deal without exposure beyond simply slapping the company’s name on the side of the gondola.
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Marks, speaking generally because he is not involved in the project, said a title sponsor might also want a benefit such as the company name on the field. A hypothetical example: Verizon Field at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers have hired firms to solicit corporate offers for naming rights to the field and patches on the team jerseys.
Or, Marks said, a primary sponsor might prefer naming rights to whatever development might rise atop the parking lots: Take the Verizon Gondola to the Verizon Village at Dodger Stadium!
Rick Caruso, the developer behind the Grove and Americana shopping and entertainment centers, pursued the Dodgers when McCourt put them up for sale. Caruso commissioned studies on how to improve the notorious congestion for cars getting into and out of the Dodger Stadium parking lots.
Without control of the lots, however, Caruso believed he might not have been able to implement any changes. McCourt insisted he would not sell the lots, and Caruso withdrew from the bidding.
Guggenheim Baseball Management, the winning bidder, took a different approach. Guggenheim, led by Mark Walter and Stan Kasten, bought the Dodgers and their stadium from McCourt. In a separate transaction, a Guggenheim entity formed a joint venture with a McCourt entity to control the parking lots.
In land use documents filed by the joint venture in 2012 and intended to “facilitate the orderly development” of the Dodger Stadium parking lots, the potential property uses cited include homes, offices, restaurants, shops, entertainment venues, medical and academic buildings, a separate sports facility and a hotel and exhibit hall.
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“It is an ill-conceived concept that the highest and best use of Chavez Ravine is 260 acres for parking,” an attorney for McCourt, Tony Natsis, said at the time. “I consider that to be an ill-conceived notion for the owner of the parking lots and the owner of the stadium.”
Walter, the Dodgers’ chairman and controlling owner, said McCourt cannot develop anything on the property without Guggenheim’s consent. What might Walter be thinking in terms of development now?
“I haven’t been thinking about it at all,” Walter said.
Kasten, the Dodgers’ president and chief executive, said the Dodgers support the gondola project but are “really not involved” in it. Walter had a simple explanation for why the Dodgers would back a project that would chew up a chunk of the parking lots in the stadium.
“Hopefully, it will make it easier for people to get there,” he said.
Of the 18,889 parking spaces at the stadium, the gondola station at Dodger Stadium would result in the loss of 194 spaces, according to the environmental impact report for the project.
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To the Dodgers, that would not be a big deal. But this might be: The report projects 10,000 people would ride the gondola to each game by 2042, which could translate to a loss of about 20% of parking revenue.
Kasten called those figures “hypotheticals that I don’t have an answer for,” and project opponents dismissed the ridership projections as unrealistically high, citing a UCLA study.
But a person familiar with the Dodgers’ business model, speaking on condition of anonymity so as not to jeopardize his professional relationships, said the team likely would not agree to give up millions in annual parking fees without some way to recoup that money.
“It does not make sense for the Dodgers to do it if they’re going to lose parking revenue,” the person said. “It does make sense if the gondola is serving a larger development.”
The California Endowment, a nonprofit with offices that would sit beneath the shadow of a 195-foot gondola tower, is leading and largely funding a coalition opposing the project. In court papers, the Endowment cited the Dodger Stadium development proposal McCourt unveiled when he owned the team and alleged the gondola would be “a loss leader for the future development of parking lots at Dodger Stadium.”
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What would Kasten say to Angelenos who would like to know whether the gondola comes first and development comes next?
“That’s a question you’ll have to address to someone else,” Kasten said.
To the people proposing the gondola?
“Yes,” Kasten said. “That’s where I would direct my questions.”
I had. And what had I been told? Ask Frank.
On April 9, 2021, for the first time in 32 years, the Dodgers raised a World Series championship banner. The Dodgers bestowed the honor of hoisting the treasured flag upon five people, including three of their own: Dodgers co-owners Magic Johnson and Billie Jean King, each decorated champions in their own right, and Hall of Fame broadcaster Jaime Jarrín.
The other two: Eric Garcetti, then the mayor of Los Angeles, and Gil Cedillo, then the city councilman representing the district that includes Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers forged a strong working relationship with Cedillo. The team and nine of its senior executives combined to make $13,800 in campaign contributions to him from 2013 to ‘22, according to city records.
Cedillo lost his bid for re-election last year, defeated by community activist Eunisses Hernandez. Kasten and Hernandez each expressed a desire to work together for the benefit of the fans and the community.
Garcetti, who has backed the gondola from the time McCourt first pitched it five years ago, said the Dodgers never have hinted to him that mass development would be in the works at Dodger Stadium.
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“I think there is a vision of trying to make it less of a once- or twice-a-year kind of a place for a family, when you go to a game,” Garcetti said before he left office last December, “and more of an asset: the best view in L.A., a place for more special events, a place where baseball history can be celebrated.
“I think their core business is baseball, and they want to protect that.”
The environmental impact report does not contemplate development at Dodger Stadium. The report states “no housing units are proposed” as part of the project and “additional approvals requiring further environmental review would be necessary” for any development at the stadium or elsewhere along the gondola route.
For Hernandez, that language is not enough. The councilwoman said she has “a lot of concerns” about the gondola.
“I am not convinced that this is an effective solution to reducing vehicle congestion,” she said, “and I share the neighborhood’s concerns about displacement and disruption.”
Hernandez said she is not necessarily opposed to development at Dodger Stadium, provided affordable housing is a priority. She is opposed to considering the gondola on its own, without any consideration of whether development might follow and what it might involve.
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“I don’t think it’s appropriate to undertake such large-scale projects without a full and clear understanding of long-term plans,” Hernandez said. “This shouldn’t be piecemealed out, and I want to see additional development plans made clear.
“That is the honest approach, and that’s what will allow the community, the city, and all involved entities to make a clear-eyed decision.”
Steve Soboroff, who was the mayoral point man on the construction of Staples Center and later president of the Playa Vista development near LAX, worked briefly with McCourt in the final year of his Dodgers ownership.
Soboroff is not involved in the gondola project. He said the most effective way to build community support for the project would be to offer transparency about the long-term plan, even if the gondola would come first and any development would come later.
“That would be the path that I would choose,” Soboroff said.
It was time for me to do what Parfrey had suggested: Ask Frank.
The Dodgers have prospered without McCourt, and McCourt has prospered without the Dodgers.
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He bought the storied French soccer club Olympique de Marseille. He donated $200 million to what is now called the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University. He launched Project Liberty, an initiative to reform the Internet in the interest of serving “people, not platforms.”
As McCourt told Leaders Magazine: “Our technology today is great if you want to support autocracy, but it is not so great if you want to support individual rights and the freedoms and liberties assorted with democracy.”
McCourt still owns the Los Angeles Marathon, which starts at Dodger Stadium. During the past two months, as Urbanize LA reported, McCourt entities revealed plans to construct 502 apartments in three buildings on two sites along Stadium Way and another one block south, overlooking the 110 Freeway. The apartment buildings are planned regardless of whether the gondola is approved, said Brin Frazier, a spokeswoman for McCourt.
The applicant for the apartment projects is listed in city records as Jordan Lang, president of two McCourt entities: McCourt Partners Real Estate and Aerial Rapid Transit Technologies.
Lang’s company biography makes no mention of any experience in other transportation projects but touts his leadership in completing “millions of square feet of office, hotel, residential and mixed-use projects.”
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The prospect of developing such a large site on the outskirts of downtown is so rare that the city’s movers and shakers have floated concepts for decades. Caruso and I talked about some of them 18 years ago, long before McCourt put the team up for sale or Caruso ran unsuccessfully for mayor.
Peter O’Malley, the revered former Dodgers owner, proposed building an NFL stadium in the Dodger Stadium parking lot in 1995. McCourt revived the idea in 2005.
The other four MLB teams in California all have pursued mixed-use developments surrounding their ballparks. The Angels’ most recent proposal — since killed by the city of Anaheim amid a corruption scandal — would have included more than 5,000 homes on a site roughly half the size of the Dodger Stadium property.
“We need more housing,” Garcetti said. “We need it to be centrally located. We need it to be affordable. I think, if you meet those criteria, you can start a conversation with the city.”
Or, perhaps, development at Dodger Stadium could mean a selection of food halls, restaurants and bars, enticing enough to lure fans to arrive long before the game and stick around after it ends. That in itself could ease the neighborhood traffic bottlenecks on game days, gondola or no gondola.
Parfrey, who said his nonprofit agreed to take the lead on the gondola project based on what he said was a promise of no development on the land, said his organization would not support a ballpark neighborhood arising on the property but would support a plan to put a restaurant here and there within the parking lot.
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“We would go early and go to the restaurants,” Parfrey said.
Parfrey, remember, was the guy who told me to “ask Frank” about the “assurances” that the arrival of the gondola would not trigger development. I mentioned that to Frazier, McCourt’s spokeswoman, and asked if I could speak to him about that.
“Frank,” she said, “is not available.”
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