Interesting to see that as of June 2008, the word is that the builder was leaning toward apt. conversion. I had checked the Astoria as part of my continuing OC housing search (see my 3000 The Plaza thread) about a month or so ago (late July/early August). The builder had just finished completing the building itself and the exterior. We were kindly given a "hard hat" tour, but was warned that none of the units were close to completion interior wise, but at least they began installing carpeting and cabinetry in the lower floor units. It appears that the Central Park West (CPW) sales office is still trying to sell these things and going ahead with construction. I was told that the plan is interiors will be finished by late November through December, and the sales office will be moving into the building. The price sheet is a huge joke, and so is the HOA dues for Astoria itself, which also requires additional HOA for CPW (I think) and Mello Roos.
The one bedroom units only come with one parking spot. And 2 and 3 bedrooms get 2 max. If anything, even the cheapest priced units require a dual income. And to ignore the fact there likely will be two cars for each household, regardless of bedroom number, is ludicrous. Where the hell is the other person suppose to park? In addition, the sales guy even suggested that not all residents with two spots will use them, so it's quite possible that the HOA will come up with some system of leasing out those extra spaces. Excellent, more added expense!
The worst of it is one of the buildings is essentially lined against the 405. As someone pointed out earlier in the thread, this is conveniently missing in the Astoria video and conceptual renderings. Any units on that side will have the freakin' 405 as their view, along with the noise that cannot be dampened, no matter how many layers of glass they try to use. We checked out units along that side (the lower units) on a weekend when the 405 wasn't that busy, and the noise was horrible. The sales guy even tried closing the windows recognizing how loud it got, but even with the windows shut, the sounds of cars rushing by could easily be heard. I understand that completion of the interiors may have some sound dampening effect, but not so much as to eliminate most of the sound. One would be insane to buy a unit on that side of the building. And as expected, looking at the price sheet for the other buidling not along the 405, it is noticeably more expensive - likely due to the fact that you don't have the 405 as your backyard. I don't see why the developer could not have put the Astoria on the other side of the property, away from the 405.
For further amusement, check out the floor plans. I had checked out plan "G," which was one of the few plans remotely close to my price range (but still $100K over based on the asinine pricing sheet). The square footage of the master bedroom is smaller than that of the second bedroom since it is narrower. Are you kidding me? Did the Astoria think this was acceptable - making the master bedroom smaller than the second bedroom? Unbelievable. Look at Plan "A," which was also somewhat in my price range. The floor plan shows a rectangle in the upper left corner of the living room. Yes, that is a structural pillar. What I don't need in a condo that is already as small as it is is a pillar taking up precious square footage. Best one can do is hang art on that wall.
I have no clue what is in store for this place, but I am not impressed by it at all, and I think the location is horrible.
