Heer’s lofts to be sold at one-day event

Interested loft dwellers can drop off $2,500 deposits in-person at Carol Jones Realtors’ Michelle Cantrell’s office, 3600 S. National Ave., Bldg. B, starting immediately. On a to-be-determined date in downtown Springfield, prospective buyers will select their Heer’s units in the order their deposits were received.

Deposits are fully refundable.

The process is similar to Blue Urban’s tactic for selling its Ballpark Lofts in St. Louis in 2006, when 61 out of 68 units were sold in two hours, Heer’s project manager Chris Woldum said. He thinks the same enthusiasm will be there for Heer’s because of the former department store’s novelty.

“There are so many connections with that building. It’s just been a part of a lot of people’s lives,” Woldum said. “Another big draw is that we’re doing things a little differently, including a rooftop pool, a very nice workout area and lounge, indoor parking – a lot of amenities that are hard to find anywhere else.”

St. Louis-based Blue Urban, headed by Kevin McGowan, signed on to develop Heer’s last year and expects to begin construction in June. The $26 million renovation will last no more than 14 months, with a Mike Shannon’s Steaks and Seafood Restaurant opening on the ground floor in May 2009.

The top four floors will be divided into three-, two- and one-bedroom lofts, including a roomy 3,000-square-foot penthouse in the building’s tower. About half will have outdoor balconies. In December, McGowan said prices would range from $165,000 to $750,000.

Loft designs and prices will be finalized in about three weeks, Woldum said. That will give prospective buyers time to look them over before the sale, which should happen about a month after designs are released, according to Woldum.

McGowan purchased the 92-year-old building from the city last November for $3 million. The city bought the building from its previous developer, Vaughn Prost, who dropped the project after missing financing deadlines.[[In-content Ad]]