Michael Respeto, who works in industrial process equipment sales, could have lived anywhere within his sales territory. Respeto, 31, instead chose intown Atlanta, where he has lived for 15 years and many of his friends live. Andrea Cueny, an Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty agent, helped him successfully navigate buying a foreclosure for his first home. Respeto chatted about his loft in The Stacks at Fulton Cotton Mill in Cabbagetown:
Q: How soon did you see The Stacks?
The Stacks was the last place I had looked. I probably looked at 20 different locations, anywhere from small houses within the city limits to condos to townhomes. I think looking at the full spectrum there enabled me to be sure of what I really wanted.
Q: What was unique about The Stacks?
A: I'm in industrial equipment sales. The fact that it's an old factory (built in 1881) really appealed to me, the history there. And the material, the construction, the rustic look of the factory, that really appealed to me.
Q: Did you look at multiple lofts in The Stacks?
A: Just the one I ended up getting. One thing that was critical was at least two bedrooms. All the other properties in The Stacks that were two bedrooms were just outside my price range. The one and only one I looked at was a foreclosure.
Q: What do you love about the loft?
A: The location is fantastic. … Being in the Cabbagetown neighborhood, I'm right in the cross hairs of all major interstates. Within minutes, I'm on the highway. The location is great because there seems to be a resurgence or almost like a renaissance in that area. It's transitional, from being old industrial and kind of neglected, to being revamped. A lot of the community is very tightknit. They have a community awareness group that I'm trying to get involved in now.
Q: What are some of your loft’s interesting interior features?
A: Most lofts have the exposed piping and utilities and ducting. I've got 17-foot ceilings. They have these nice chunky beams that are supporting, that are visible. I've got a corner unit, so I've got brick on two sides of my place. Then the concrete floors. Being an older factory, there's a lot of old industrial equipment (on the property). The old boiler systems are still there.
Q: Are you enjoying being a first-time homebuyer?
A: Each day I walk around and look at my place, it's still kind of like, "Oh my gosh, I can't believe I am owning property and something so unique that I really enjoy." I finally have a sense of home. I'm not thinking, "Well, I've got to either re-sign my lease in 12 months or decide to look somewhere else and move." Up until this point, I've been very transient. I really think I found a home to stay.
At a Glance
Michael Respeto’s home has two bedroom, two baths and about 1,639 square feet of livable space. He purchased the home in June.
The Stacks at Fulton Cotton Mill
Address: 170 Boulevard Ave. S.E., Atlanta 30312
County: Fulton
Information: 404-588-2728, www.stackslofts.com
Price range: Mid $100,000s-low $300,000s
Units: 165 in phase one, 134 in phase two
Square footage: 700-2,200
Standard features: Brick walls, ceilings up to 20-feet high with exposed wood timbers, over-sized windows
Amenities: Rooftop sun deck, fitness center, pool, courtyards, assigned parking
Homeowners fees: 19 cents per square foot (no initiation fee)
Builder: Aderhold Properties
Broker: Coldwell Banker NRT Development Advisors
Schools: Cook Elementary, King Middle, South Atlanta High
More on schools: schools.ajchomefinder.com
Getting there
Take I-85/I-75 to exit 248C (Freedom Parkway). Turn right onto Boulevard Avenue Southeast. Turn left into The Stacks.
For sale
$259,900: 170 Boulevard Ave. S.E., Unit E118, Atlanta. A two-bedroom, two-bath loft built in 2007 with industrial windows and courtyard views.
$134,900: 170 Boulevard Ave. S.E., Unit D102, Atlanta. A one-bedroom, one-bath loft built in 2007 with up to 20-foot ceilings and a renovated kitchen and baths.
Recent sales
$149,900: 170 Boulevard Ave. S.E., Unit D203, Atlanta. A one-bedroom, one-bath loft built in 2007 with over-sized windows and concrete floors.
$292,867: 170 Boulevard Ave. S.E., Unit E315, Atlanta. A two-bedroom, two-bath loft built in 2007 with upgraded kitchen and baths and sealed concrete floors.
Community information provided by Coldwell Banker NRT Development Advisors and Andrea Cueny, an agent with Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty, and compiled by Delaney Young.
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