Riverbend Lofts News

The next Open House at Riverbend Lofts will be Sunday, July 27th, 1:00 -2:00 pm. Or Call 262-930-5555 to schedule a showing.

By Susie Kasinski Drummond

This past summer, Cassie Kuranz, a local teacher, learned the ABCs of first-time homeownership when she purchased a loft condominium at the Riverbend Lofts, 720 Marquette St. A is for choosing an affordable asset that is also a good investment. B is for the beauty that is found throughout her new condo. And C is for the convenience of being situated on the western edge of downtown Racine, just a short walk or drive to everywhere.

Kuranz was raised in Racine, not far from the renovated industrial building in which she now resides. After earning her bachelor’s degree, she returned to her roots to teach math at her alma mater, J.I. Case High School.

The single, 25-year-old teacher is part of a growing group of young professionals seeking amenity-rich, price-friendly residences in urban settings. She moved into the renovated loft in August 2007, shortly after the first phase of the Riverbend Lofts development was opened.

Riverbend Lofts is located on the corner of Sixth and Marquette streets in the former Badger Uniform building. There are 58 luxurious loft condos in the four-story refurbished building, and 28 townhouses will be built on the surrounding grounds in the future.

Marketed as an affordable, safe, contemporary, urban renewal project, Riverbend has exceeded the many new residents’ lofty expectations.

“This is one development where upgrades are standard,” said John Dickert, the project’s listing director for First Weber Group. “It’s unlike anything else in Racine; there are no other loft condos like these. This is a preferred place to live.”

Kuranz’s third-floor unit overlooks Sixth Street, a main thoroughfare into Racine’s heart-of-the-arts district and the lakefront. She’s just a 10-minute jaunt from work. Other residents can walk to work at downtown businesses.

The one-bedroom/one-bathroom unit boasts more than 1,000 square feet of well-designed, functional space. The living room features hardwood floors, wood beams and large windows with an adjacent balcony.

The kitchen, admittedly Kuranz’s favorite room, has an island, granite countertops, ceramic tile floor, and stainless steel appliances. The stove, refrigerator, microwave and dishwasher were included in her purchase price. She also has the convenience of an in-unit laundry area complete with a stackable washer and dryer.

“I like the openness of the kitchen to the living room,” noted Kuranz. “I really like the exposed brick walls with the wood floors, and I love my kitchen – the way it looks, the way it’s set up.”

Kuranz learned about Riverbend Lofts through a friend, and “knew right away this was it” when she first visited the development. She provided a down payment on her unit the same day. The math teacher knew all the numbers added up to a great investment.

“I was living with my parents because I was tired of wasting money on rent,” said Kuranz. “Rather than putting money into rent and throwing it away, at 25, I’m putting it into my home, and hopefully that will pay off.”

Her parents encouraged the purchase, and she said her dad suggested this was the right thing, the right price and the right time.

“Parents are excited to have their young professional children moving back here to work and live after completing college,” noted Dickert.

“It’s not too big to take care of, but it’s big enough to have everything and do everything I need. The price was perfect for me at this time,” said Kuranz. “Personally, I wasn’t ready to do lawn care. They do all that stuff for you.”

The exterior of the Riverbend Lofts building is highlighted by black metal balconies and original industrial brick.

“I didn’t know if I really would like living downtown on my own, but I actually really like it. It’s a cool neighborhood,” stated Cassie, who enjoys going to nearby eateries, pubs and community events like Party on the Pavement and beach volleyball. “I didn’t realize there were that many restaurants downtown.”

“You are close to everything you need in downtown,” said Dickert, mentioning social and cultural events, entertainment, fitness centers, bike and hike pathways, restaurants and more. “Riverbend is working synergistically with the neighborhood.”

“I think it’s wonderful; it’s a great place. For the price, it’s pretty amazing what you’re getting,” said Kuranz. “The whole area is going to be cool. If it’s what you’re looking for, I think it’s a great investment.”

The Riverbend Lofts feature spacious, open floor plans with high ceilings, natural wood or steel beams and columns, maple cabinets, trim and doors, granite countertops, Kohler fixtures, keycard access to the building and camera surveillance of certain areas, and secure underground and outdoor parking. The high-quality, well-appointed development is located near the lakefront, the Root River, the downtown renaissance and mass transit.

Dickert reports 50 percent of the units are sold. Of the loft condos still available, most are one-bedroom/one-bathroom or two-bedroom/two-bathroom units, ranging in price from $120,000 to $210,000.

For additional information on the Riverbend Lofts, please call 262-930-5555, visit online at www.riverbendracine.com, or come to Sunday’s open house from 1 until 4 p.m. Showings are also available by appointment. For contemporary living in Racine, come home to Riverbend Lofts.

Join us for our Grand Opening on Tuesday July 17th, 2007 from 3 - 6 pm.

Sales center opening and ribbon cutting will be held May 15th, 2006 from 11am -1pm at Riverbend Lofts.

Riverbend Lofts is located at 6th & Marquette Street.
720 Marquette Street
Racine, Wisconsin 53403

Call 1.866.95RIVER (866.957.4837) for more information.

Racine Journal Times
03/09/2006

RACINE - One of the Downtown area's more daring housing projects, Riverbend Lofts, is ready to unveil what it will have to offer.

Riverbend Lofts is a four-story, former industrial building at Sixth and Marquette streets. The sign on the building, Badger Uniforms, reflects one of its last uses.

Riverbend Lofts is one of just two urban renewal projects taking place west of Marquette Street.

The other is a conversion and expansion of Shoreline Manor, 1403 W. Sixth St., into senior independent housing. That $2.5 million project got under way last fall.

Riverbend Lofts also pushes Downtown's revival westward by crossing Marquette Street.

Read entire story

Racine Journal Times
04/05/2005
RACINE - Downtown's revival could bust beyond its existing boundaries with a developer's $15.3 million proposal for transforming a former manufacturing complex.

Harvest Development of Kenosha leads a team that wants to convert the former Badger Uniforms complex into 79 condominiums.

The plan, collectively called Riverbend Lofts, calls for turning the vacant four-story manufacturing building at Sixth and Marquette streets into 51 loft condos. Harvest would also raze two smaller buildings on the block and build 28 townhouses there.

Read entire article