Amy Kinran, (left) a mortgage specialist talks with Adhar Usher, (right), Monday, at the company’s office. The popcycle scooter, (foreground) is one that is offered free to anyone purchasing a loft with McGowen-Walsh.
(F. Brian Ferguson/P-D)
Close on a downtown loft costing from $150,000 to $300,000 from McGowan Walsh, and you get your choice of 49-cc motor scooters — free.
The developer will even throw in a helmet, though state law doesn’t require one for such a small machine.
“We like to promote safety,” said Adhar Usher, marketing and sales director for McGowan Walsh. The St. Louis development firm owns several old downtown factories and office buildings that it’s turning into lofts.
Since the middle of last year, anyone going by the sales office at 2200 Washington Avenue during business hours might see several brightly colored (yellow, blue, purple or red) model G49 Popcycle scooters sitting on the sidewalk.
These little machines, which get about 90 miles to the gallon and might hold two small or slender people as well as a modest grocery bag or two, are a trendy way for residents to get around downtown. Top speed is 35 mph.
The scooters are one of the ways developers have hit on to stand out among the growing number of loft developments.
“I think it’s an interesting trend,” said Sarah Coffin, assistant professor of public policy studies at St. Louis University. “It’s a way the developer has of differentiating themselves. What you’re finding in St. Louis is that we’ve come into the loft style (of living) a lot later than in many other cities.”
Coffin, who owned a loft in Cleveland nearly 20 years ago, before other “urban pioneers” caught up with her in that city, said this kind of promotion is another way a developer can catch the eye of a potential buyer. The idea is to get buyers into a building and the model display unit and to pique their interest.
In the case of the scooters, they go well with the burgeoning urban landscape, where new residents may not want to worry about parking and maintaining a car.
“As more and more people realize the appeal of urban amenities, the nightlife and other things, it’s good not to have to rely on a car,” Coffin said.
***Click the title link to read the rest of the story
Oh and… G49 Popcycle? Yikes. Couldn’t they spring for they Schwinn at least?
If I’m gonna drop $300k on a loft, I’d like to see a Mojito 150 in my garage or a Vespa LX50 or something with some panache. Hey Austin? Are you listening?! There’s a buncha new condos going on downtown… Let’s get some scooters in the garage!
Thu, Apr 5, 2007
Uncategorized