Loft tour attracts hundreds to historic downtown buildings

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December 2, 2007

Anonymous The Joplin Globe Sun Dec 02, 2007, 08:34 PM CST

By Susan Redden

sredden@joplinglobe.com

Those looking out the windows saw downtown Joplin, but many who explored downtown lofts on Saturday said they were reminded of lofts in New York and other urban living spaces.

Hundreds of area residents took advantage of the annual Main Street Joplin tour that opened apartments — most decked out for the holidays — in five downtown buildings to public viewing.

The lofts that were featured ranged from the newly opened Zahn Apartments, which added 22 new downtown dwellings, to single-family lofts with more than 5,000 square feet of living space.

The Zahn Loft Apartments at Fourth Street and Wall Avenue are the newest addition to a growing downtown mix. Built in 1918, the six-story building was vacant for years. It now is fully renovated and occupied.

Dallas McDaniel, apartment manager, said all 22 apartments have been rented since August. A sixth-floor apartment of Michael Cline featured wood floors and huge living room windows that offered a view of downtown Joplin and blocks beyond.

“It has more closet space than my house,” said Cline’s mother, Denise, who was on hand for part of the event.

Several spaces were open to visitors at Columbia Traders Apartments, 418 S. Main St., a 114-year-old building that was purchased and renovated by the Neal Group. The building features original woodwork and a skylight that illuminates a stairwell flanked by carved wood railings.

One apartment has original signs from when the space served as a courtroom and office for a justice of the peace. Some spaces are furnished with antiques. In others, the large rooms and tall ceilings complement modern pieces.

In Joseph Turner’s fourth-floor apartment, modern touches mix with Missouri University memorabilia in most rooms. Turner said he has lived there for 13 months and enjoys the convenience.

“It’s close to the Y and restaurants, and there’s no yard to mow,” he said.

That’s one of the attractions at the Fourth Street Lofts, condominiums at 214 E. Fourth St. that once housed the R&S; Chevrolet dealership.

The apartments feature 10-foot ceilings, hardwood floors and exposed brick walls, and the building includes a fitness center and an inside parking garage. There are nine living spaces ranging from about 1,200 to 2,500 square feet, and two more are being renovated for use.

The tour also included single-family living spaces where residents can spread out under tall ceilings and over lots of space on two, or even three, floors.

Toby Teeter’s loft occupies the second and third floors over 613 S. Main St. In the vast living room, there is no competition for space between the seating area and the pool table that overlooks Main Street. The galley kitchen opens onto a skylight, and the third floor has three bedrooms and bathrooms.

The original Newberry’s Five and Dime at 120 W. Fifth St. now serves as the multistory residence of Bunny and Jane Newton. In addition to a huge living space featuring Oriental decor, the residence has an indoor-outdoor patio upstairs, and a large recreation and exercise space in the basement.

Those on Saturday’s tour also got a bonus when Larry Black opened his upstairs apartment over the former Connor House Restaurant in the 600 block of Main Street.

The space includes antique furnishings, several fireplaces, a kitchen and living area lighted by a skylight, an enclosed patio, a huge bedroom, a bathroom and a meeting room. Black said he is considering renting the space as a downtown residence.

Carthage tour

Downtown lofts in Carthage will be opened for tours from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are available at Phelps House, and money that is raised will benefit the historic building.