Real estate blogger takes a look at what works and doesn’t at Ginter Place

Melissa Savenko, who spotlights topics of interest to the Richmond real estate community, exhumed an old post this week that examines the new Ginter Place condominiums in the old Richmond Memorial Hospital building on Westwood Avenue: I really liked Ginter Place. Color me impressed. I think they have done an excellent job with the […]

December 12, 2008; 1:09 PM • by North Richmond News

I really liked Ginter Place. Color me impressed. I think they have done an excellent job with the exterior of the building (especially love the swoop-y canopy and the stark “Ginter Place” lettering) and the floor plans of the units appear to be thoughtful and well-designed. Also, the project has some really cool amenities that other condominium projects in the Greater Richmond metropolitan area do not have, like underground parking and a “guest suite” that apparently functions like a hotel room and allows a condominium owner to reserve it for overnight guests, with only a nominal clean-up fee. Pretty ingenious idea, I think. I also loved certain little details, like the trash chute. I don’t know why, I’m just weird that way. Finally, Ginter Place has extensive grounds and several additional buildings, including the Laburnum Mansion, all of which I understand will be developed into something complementary of the residential condominium portion of the project.

BUT….you knew there was going to be a “but,” didn’t you? BUT, are the units selling? If the design is good, the execution is good, and all objective, quantifiable trend data shows the demographic target market – which I presume to be down-sizing Baby Boomers in the Greater Richmond metro area – are increasingly buying into the “lock and leave” concept of condominium ownership, why hasn’t Ginter Place sold like hotcakes, with high-end finishes, more amenities, gorgeous grounds?

She lists some ideas in her post.