Whitney converts to luxury apartments

With the assistance of Estates Management Company, Seven Hundred Woodrow, LLC has purchased The Whitney Hotel in Columbia to convert it into luxury residences for lease beginning August 2013.

“We are rebranding The Whitney to 700 Woodrow-A Devine Address to reflect the fact that residents will be able to extend their quality of life beyond their home,” said Matt Mundy, an associate of Estates Management Company that will manage the development. “It is an alluring, pedestrian-friendly property. Residents will be within walking distance of downtown Columbia’s premier shopping and dining district. We are excited about the opportunity to develop a community we believe will enhance the lives of our residents, the local economy, and the surrounding neighborhoods.”

Located at the corner of Woodrow and Devine Streets, 700 Woodrow, which is seven stories, is situated in one of the most sought after, upscale neighborhoods in Columbia.The 75-unit apartment community will feature 14 one-bedroom, onebath homes and 61 twobedroom, two-bath homes. Each unit will include ninefoot ceilings, Ceramic tile, and a private balcony to enjoy views of downtown and beautiful Columbia sunsets.

All residences will be renovated to include gourmet kitchens with stainless steel-energy star appliances, built-in microwaves, tiled kitchen backsplashes, and granite countertops with dine-in casual bar tops and wood cabinetry with decorative hardware.

Living areas will also have designer lighting including ceiling fans; simulated hardwood flooring; brushed nickel faucets, curved shower rods, and ceramic tile in bathrooms; oversized mud/laundry rooms with washer/dryer connections and linen closets and wiring for cable and Internet access.

The upgraded apartments will include a concierge desk that will be staffed with a full-time employee and a contemporary club that will include a social lounge with coffee bar and a gathering area with televisions and comfortable seating. Residents will also have access to an outdoor entertainment area featuring garden/ yard games, abundant seating, a dining area and gas grill. Parking will be available in front of and around the building.

“Young and mature professionals seeking an eclectic, urban living experience will be attracted to 700 Woodrow,” Mundy said. “They will be able to walk or ride their bikes to local boutique retailers and places like Devine Foods, Cantina 76, Burger Tavern 77, Half- Moon Outfitters, Britton’s, and Earth Fare. Plus they will only be a mile away from great places like Whole Foods, Ulta, Charleston Cooks!, Taziki’s, and Basil Thai Restaurant.”

Founded in 1988, Estates Management Company is committed to delivering exceptional living experiences by providing unique living communities that residents are proud to call home. Estates Management has experienced phenomenal growth in real estate development and property management, including multifamily communities, office, retail, and luxury condominium residences.

A musician in his younger days, a flooring company owner since 1985, Larry Bally says there are similarities between the two pursuits.The skills a musician masters on one instrument carry over to others that he picks up. In the same vein, Bally has expanded from his original product — hardwood flooring — to include concrete polishing and other flooring choices.

"I just say that the greatest asset I own is my reputation," Bally, owner of Great American Hardwood Flooring, said. "I've spent 30 years building a reputation."

Actually a little longer than that. Bally had been running a paint contracting business under the "Great American" name for a decade when a hardwood floor installer messed up one of his jobs in 1985. Bally says he asked the general contractor in charge why he'd hire such incompetent help.Bally did, and after struggling for a few years, was able to give up painting and concentrate on flooring in 1992.

"It's very hard work but you get more respect and a chance to make more money in this trade," he said. "The margins are better."Bally opened his first showroom, on South Laura, in 1995 and moved to his current location on South Washington in 2006.Great American installs, repairs and refinishes hardwood floors. Much of its work can be seen around Old Town in buildings like River City Brewery and the Player Piano Lofts.

In the early 2000s, Great American also worked "coast to coast" for restaurant chains such as Ted's Montana Grill. The recession put a stop to that and also shut down much residential work, but Bally found a new market installing gymnasium floors in high schools and colleges around the state. Residential work has started to pick up again in the past year, he said.

Great American employs about four office workers and from 10 to 20 workers in the field. Bally added concrete polishing to its service line in 2009. "Next thing you know, it exploded," he said.

Bally's son, Jeff, heads up residential work while another son, Tim, is the estimator for gymnasium jobs and supervises concrete polishing. In June his wife, Pam, joined the business to help start Great American Floors and Decor, offering carpets, laminate, vinyl, ceramic tile and area rugs, along with a decorating service."It was just a natural," Bally said. "She (Pam) has a really strong background in retail and decorating."

Bally, who used to play drums for the divekings and other local bands, doesn't play much anymore but allows a heavy metal band to practice in part of the building. He's busy running the biggest hardwood flooring company of its kind in Wichita and the largest gym floor installer in Kansas, a development he attributes to one simple rule: "We do what we promise."


Click on their website www.tilees.com.