When Machines Break Down

I'm not surprised at all. What I predicted long ago has come to pass.

My wife and I looked at buying here a few years ago. The prices seemed too good to be true. Now we know why. I was very disturbed by what I saw going on at the building. For anyone who was foolish enough to buy here, the warning signs were readily apparent to those who made even a minimal research effort.

This is only the beginning. Expect more such news in the coming months and years at these properties. It will be very interesting to see how the local media follows this story. I am also very interested in how this will shake out in terms of local government authorities. This situation suggests certain agencies failed to do their jobs.

David, This has nothing to do with whatever you think you saw back then. This is simply negligence by a vendor that was hired by the HOA.

I hope you're right and I'm wrong.

David et al,

The second blogger is correct. The Fire Pumps have nothing to do with Barry Shy, although other issues remaining in the building do. However, many of you, much before your transition to downtown, don't remember that the Flower St. Lofts and the Toy Factory Lofts also had their "developer" problems. It's part and parcel of converting 100 year old buildings into current industry standards. The 1100 Wilshire Building, brand new ground up, has had it's share of "developer" problems.

For many who bought at all of the above buildings, including the Bartlett Building, love their building and their community. Many others have reaped and made an amazing amount of money - something those who are buying in the current market won't appreciate for several years to come.

So the bottom line is this: when you buy in a spec market, you may not buy the prettiest house on the block, but with a little TLC, and a strong community, you come out on top.

I know many who live in the Bartlett and they are a terrific group who are committed and determined to make their living experience downtown enjoyable and rewarding.

Thanks Paula! This certainly shouldn't be the only press that the Bartlett Building gets. I've owned here for two years and love the building, location, and neighbors. I have no regrets.

We met tonight as a community and resolved to solve this challenge together while gathered on a rooftop with some of the best 360 views in the Historic Core.

If you didn't buy here at those "too good to be true" prices, then too bad for you. I've enjoyed healthy appreciation and, though Barry Shy won't be on my Christmas Card list anytime soon, if there are any problems related to the developer, then we will handle it through the appropriate channels.

Buildings have issues and problems have solutions.

While we've got Bartlett people reading... What's the story with the Raspado place on the Spring street side of the building? They came and put their sign up months ago and I haven't seen a bit of activity since.

Eric,

Thanks for covering this issue. I've gotten more than one angry e-mail from residents and passers-by.

I appreciate the opportunity to offer an important clarification to some of their concerns.

When the life safety systems in a building are inoperative or not in compliance with the Fire Code, the site is put on a 'Fire Watch' with clearly outlined conditions.

Though I don't have the particular conditions or history at hand for The Bartlett Building, it appears that one of the (absolutely) essential systems inoperative were the fire sprinklers.

As such, the building management was apparently given a 'Fire Watch' requirement to offer supplemental pumping capacity to the sprinkler system.

The 'Fire Engine' in question is a privately owned vehicle from a company that was chosen by building management. Neither the vehicle nor those who staff/maintain it are working on behalf of the LAFD. The fees in question were an apparent agreement between building management and that commercial fire safety firm.

Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service,

Brian Humphrey Firefighter/Specialist Public Service Officer Los Angeles Fire Department

Good blogging is like good journalism.

Check your sources before running a story. In this case, being an owner for almost two years at the Bartlett, this story is so far offbase and incorrect that it's laughable. This incident is in no way related to Barry Shy or "development" problems - it's a vendor that screwed up big time.

I love my loft at the Bartlett - and as Paula states, we have some terrific people in a terrific community. I love going home at night, looking at a breathtaking view of the skyline while living in an historic building, and knowing we have a dedicated and dynamic core group of owners that are making the building and the neighborhood a better place.

I'd do it all again - and anyone who doubts it is free to contact me and come take a look at my gorgeous loft. And I bought after the "too good to be true" prices.

Every one of the new developments downtown is going through issues related to their developer and newly-formed HOA Associations. I just spoke to a friend who bought at 1100 (supposedly the cream of the crop development) and he's having his share of issues with the development company there.

Maybe next time there will be some fact checking before Curbed decides to cut and paste without knowing the context to a story.

Dennis...

You are so right. Home ownership, regardless of the type of home, is a rather complex matter. It is refreshing to see a post on this subject from someone taking a realistic, balanced, measured approach instead of venting their spleen about a person who may deserve some of it, but wouldn't really give it too much mind anyhow. I don't think there is a single large downtown building conversion that hasn't had at least something not go according to plan. These are complicated projects involving many variables and people, and after the units are sold it gets even more so. Think about it - so many of those brand new gated pristine "townhouse" communities in the suburbs end up with construction defect litigation issues just before the 10 year statute of limitations... so why would anyone think a 100 year old conversion would be free of problems? Yes, Shy might be a "whatever" (I've never dealt with the man so I have nothing to say about him), but let's step back and take a look at this reasonably.

Thanks for the clarification, Brian Humphrey - private fire protection companies definitely have a different set of motivators than a public agency like LAFD. Now if I can just get those sprinkler system engineers to get their work done on time on my projects... LOL!