Music from the Lofts

You’ve probably noted changes happening in and around the old J.C. Penney/Burlington Coat Factory building on Main Avenue in downtown Spokane. With workers crafting dwellings out of the cavernous building, and lacy wrought-iron balconies and a new façade on the exterior, it’s hard to miss the progress.

The West 809 Lofts, a development of 21 upscale condominiums ranging from 1,500 to 4,300 square feet located on Main Avenue directly across from River Park Square, is setting a new benchmark for downtown living. Amenities will include concierge service, heated underground parking, secure access and a 10-year tax abatement. A number of the units have already sold. Units are priced from $648,000 to $1.2 million.

On Sunday the building will be the site of a fundraiser for the Spokane Symphony.

Musicians from the Symphony will perform, and partygoers can tour a loft that has been decorated and outfitted by merchants from River Park Square, including Nordstrom, Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware and Boehm’s Chocolate and Flowers.

Developer Ron Wells is a strong supporter of the Spokane Symphony, so the idea of opening the upscale condominium to the community, while benefiting the symphony, was appealing.

“We are so fortunate to have a symphony of this caliber,” Wells said. “The part the symphony plays in the development of this area is incredibly important.”

He hopes that prospective buyers will make that connection.

“Proximity to cultural events like the symphony is part of the draw for living downtown,” he said. “And you’re not going to find any place to live downtown that is as nice as this.”