Have you ever lived with a spiral staircase? In my experience they can be more trouble than they're worth. Precarious to use and impossible to get furniture up and down.

I think from a resale value, 2 bedrooms is always better than one. But some people don't like spiral staircases, so that's not necessary a selling point. Also if you ever have guests or want an office, I'd go with the 2 bedrooms.

A private balcony sounds nice . . . but for resale value, a 2/2 usually beats a 1/1.

If the price is comparable, I would definitely go with the 2/2, which also has more sf overall. The 2d bedroom can be used as an office/guest bdrm, and you will be glad to have it imho, if you really need an office area. I'm not all that fond of a spiral staircase, but I'd still choose the 2/2.

I would prefer the balcony over the staircase, but a 2/2 is better than a 1/1 and having an office that isn't in the public area is always better ....so I guess I would pick the staircase loft.

Spiral staircase? BTDT, never again. You won't get anything up there that you can't haul up the hard way.

It's my personal dream to live in a 2 level apartment. I've had a balcony, they are overrated.

2 bed/2ba value is so much better...

I like the floor plan for Unit 121 better, but I've never had to live with a spiral staircase, so I don't know if that'd be enough of a pain to avoid altogether.

Unit 213 is a little awkward in set-up if you like to entertain--with access to the bathroom through the bedroom only--and I generally prefer to avoid places that enter to the kitchen or dining area (but that's more of a personal preference).

I would pick the loft because I never use my balcony. I live in a cold climate and the balcony can only be used only a part of the year, I know that TN is warm, but is it so hot that you wouldn't go out anyway? Lofts are so nice and add interest to the apt. Good luck and tell us what you decide!

I also vote for the 2 bed/2 bath

no question: 121... private spaces are a godsend -- even if just 30 feet away, the ability to close the door on an office (or bedroom) is a good thing.

the balcony is too small to actually be used. step out for a smoke, that's about it.

you can always "re-envision" how to get to the loft (ladder @ a slight tilt?) at a later point. hauling furniture *is* hard, but you only do it twice (move-in / move-out).

A 2/2 is better for resale, but you will curse the day you purchased the place trying to get your furniture in and out of it because of the spiral staircase.

Oy... Spiral staircases are pretty bad (if a unit requires one, we rethink the unit). That being said, I'd still go with the 2/2, because that's what flat-pack furniture was created for, right?

No brainer, take the 2/2 w/ spiral staircase. If you're buying it, then you'll probably only have to deal with moving stuff up once, and very rarely after that. Balconies are nice, but even the most avid balcony dweller can effectively use them as much as they're worth.

Additionally, you can bust another hole in the floor and install a matching fire pole for express movement between floors! :-)

i'd stay away from the staircase as well... they are not worth the trouble... but... unit 121 is bigger, has 2 bedroom, and you can change the staircase for a straight one that wouldn't take much space either... the resale value would be even better with a straight staircase, and it wouldn't cost all that much.

we lived in a converted space with a lofted bedroom and a spiral staircase and getting things up and down was a simple matter of going over the side. we never took anything up the spiral stairs themselves.

but we did carpet them for the dogs' safety.

I assume that the lofted area is at least partly open to the floor below- a half-wall or railing? If so, it wouldn't be so difficult to pull furniture up and over with some pulleys and a few people.

Karen that is a hard one.

Though I would love a balcony I would go with the most space, most windows and least amount of walls touching my neighbors to reduce possible noise levels.

Looked up their website to see what all they have. What a neat place.

I hate spiral staircases- and covet outdoor space- BUT that being said, I agree with prettybee. Its a bigger space, and you can change the staircase.

I've lived with both and I'd chose balcony every time. We've got a fairly extensive container herb, tomato and pepper garden along with a cast-iron grill that we use at least once a week in the spring and fall and 3 times a week in the summer.

I wouldn't even consider the first plan with the balcony. Guests will have to walk thru the bedroom to get to the bathroom.

@redneckmodern — what do you mean the balcony is to small to be used? I'd kill for a balcony that big. My current balcony is maybe 1/2 that size and look what's possible with that.

I vote for the balcony. Both for the private outdoor space, and I like the layout more.

I think I'm leaning toward the 2-bdrm. I would probably use the upstairs as the office and only bring things up there that can be broken down into smaller sizes (a multi-piece desk, aerobed with legs for guests, small chairs.) The 2-bdrm also has more closets and storage - and bathrooms! I would also probably immediately try to figure out how to replace the spiral stairs with normal stairs, because that's just what my brain does... Though along a similar line of consideration, old schools often have really high ceilings. Would you be able to build a lofted office or bedroom in the 1-bdrm? (With real stairs?)

I'd say keep shopping, even though you didn't give that as an option. That's what I'd do to find a two bath, one- story home, due to a bad back. Good luck!

Folks posting on here saying that the spiral staircase could be swapped out later aren't looking at the space in the floorplan realistically - If a less-expensive wooden stairacase could have been squeezed into the unit, the developer would have done that.

Yes, the loft unit has a smaller designated main living area, however the downstairs bedroom could be purposed as a cozy library/living room rather than a bedroom (Office in a closet?) and the existing "living room" could be a spacious dining space/entry. Even without that downstairs closet, it appears that the loft unit would have more closet space to boot.

On the other hand, a balcony off the bedroom is a rare luxury...

Looking at the floorplan, the bathroom in the unit 213 is hard to get to. I'm not fond of having guests going through the bedroom either.

Thanks for all your comments, everyone! Although I was leaning toward the loft, it looks like we're going to have to go with 213, because it is more affordable. I hadn't thought about the furniture problems the awesome spiral staircase might pose, so maybe it's for the best. Thanks again; I might be back once we move in July to inquire about furniture layouts...

- Karen

depends on your interests -- for instance, if you have a lot of overnight visitors, the second bedroom would be great for them. If you like to garden, go balcony. If resale is your biggest interest, go the second bedroom. Having neither, I would love one or the other, but having a second floor has never occurred to me as something desirable. good luck!

I would never buy a house/apartment with a spiral staircase, regardless of square footage.

I vote for unit 213 -- single level, no spiral staircase. I've been a overnight guest in two different homes that had them and found them uncomfortable and unpleasant to use (maybe because I'm 6' 0"). They always feel like to have to "be careful" going up and down them. I don't know your age or how long you plan to live in this home. My guess is that the spiral staircase may pull down the resale price of the unit. And if you plan on retiring there, don't even think about it; but I imagine your younger than that. An extra room is not that big of a bonus if it is a hassle to get there and to get your stuff up and down from there.

I'd rather have my own little outdoors than something cool indoors. You can get other cool things for indoors.

Plus you'd have to clean twice as many baths and bedrooms.

121 all the way. Two floors makes a difference in a condo-apartment type situation.

The Brownlow Lofts are fantastic - I'm from Knoxville, and we're moving back @ the end of June! We'll be neighbors, I'm moving to Oakwood/Lincoln Park (near Veg-o-Rama, Glowing Body, Christenberry Elem. area). Good luck!

213 gives the best interior space in my book, but depends on whether you want people in your bedroom. You can't get to the balcony or the bathroom without going through the bedroom...which makes it off limits in my book. you could knock through the b

121 has a smaller interior living space, but guests could use the upstairs bathroom without entering your private bedroom. But there's no place for a kitchen table, which again puts me off.

I'd say go for resale, which means 2/2...but most people who want a 2/2 are thinking kids and would be turned off by the lack of outdoor space and no room for a kitchen table!

The thought of morning coffee in pj's on my private balcony is more than enough to make me know that I could live without ever finding out the disasters that lie ahead for me if I ever lived with a spiral staircase.

Usually I'm a balcony fan- I've lived in two places that had them and I loved my private balcony with all my heart. But I like the floor plan of the 2/2. A spiral staircase can be interesting, and the idea of a loft room sounds just as relaxing as a balcony.

Another way to think of it: how many floors up is the balcony located? If it's close to the ground, I'd worry about crime rates and security. Both my balcony units were much higher than was accessible from the ground, and so very secure.

2/2 is probably the better long-term value. But I have, and hate, a sprial staircase - awkward as ass to get up and down.

I'll go for the 2 bedroom unit. If you buy you can always replace the spiral staircase with something more practical if it bothers you.
A balcony sounds romantic but it isn't really. This one is very small...

121 would suit me better. 2 bedrooms is so much more flexible. I'd remove the spiral staircase and add normal stairs leading up from just left of the front door. Then you can use the space under the stairs (where the old spiral stairs are) for your dining table.

My first instinct was to say the one with the balcony. But, after looking over the plans, I think the 2 bed/2bath is the better option. I'm not crazy about a spiral staircase, but I would hate guests walking through my bedroom to get to the bathroom.

Spiral staircases are cumbersome in many scenarios, not just when moving. I've encountered problems with spiral staircases when: sleepy, intoxicated, carrying anything, wearing heels, wearing a skirt when guests are downstairs, etc.

Balconies are lovely. :)

Spiral stairs are awful. Ok, so you'll only move in/out twice. But even if you have a laundry basket in your hands its a problem navigating the stairs.

Although I loath spiral stairs, I'd have to go with number 2, as others have said, a 2/2 is better than a 1/1.

The second one seems to have much better value and looks big enough that you could live there for quite awhile without needing to move.

You are only going to move the furniture in once and out once. The balcony can only be used maybe 2-3 seasons out of the year...might as well have space you can use year round and also has much more privacy. It also seems to get more light and balconies are way overrated...you can plant herbs in boxes and sit them in window sills.

The two-bathroom unit.

I love the two-level. I'm a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright's designs, and also his theories of home design. Getting the two-level unit would allow you to have a "public" level of your condo as well as a "private" one. Yes, hauling furniture up the spiral is going to be a pain in the ass. But hey, moving's a pain in the ass.

The way I see it, either way, you have a balcony area, it's just that with the 2-level, the balcony doubles as your bedroom.

I think I'm drawn to 121 because its layout is similar to my cabin, and I love the open-air feel of the living room up there, and waking up on the loft in the summer to cool breezes from the fans or the window is pretty heavenly.

There are two drawbacks to unit 121--the spiral staircase and the cost per square foot. This unit is priced at $179/SF which seems to be the highest of those remaining which are in the $144 to $159/SF range (213 appears to be sold but 214 is a mirror of it and it is $167/SF).

The reasons, however, to take this unit: no upstairs neighbors and few shared walls (less noise!), two walls of windows (more light!) and an entry shared with one other unit (privacy!). These are all things that condo owners want and they make this unit more valuable at resale.

If you really need an outdoor space, perhaps you could get permission for a patio.

Go with the outdoor living space. That spiral staircase is too much to deal with on a daily basis.

Unit 121 ... 100%.

Considering that the windows of unit 213 face southwest, they will expose you to a lot of direct sunlight and surplus heat. In Tennessee, on the upper floor. You won't need extra heat. Your utilities could be fearsome, unless the windows are specially treated and the school's exterior walls have been substantially insulated.

Unit 121 has windows on its northeast and northwest faces, which sounds ideal to me. Good light! One could learn to live with the spiral staircase. Visiting kids will adore it. :)

Also, because 213's balcony is so small I'd say it's not really a factor, as it appears to be not much bigger than about 5x9, giving you room for a small patio table or tiny container garden. With no roof, it's certainly not living space.

Good luck with your move.

I love spiral staircases but they're such a hassle (have you tried carrying an armload of laundry up and down one of those?) and my mom constantly tells me they are bad Feng Shui but it really depends, if you like entertaining or spend most of your time in the living room go for 213. If you need a separate office/studio/etc or would use the downstairs bedroom as the MB (thereby eliminating the laundry debacle) the I'd go with 121.

If you're having kids, I would vote against the spiral staircase.

Yes, because balconies are soooo much more kid-friendly.

Those seem expensive spiral stairs or no - why don't you just buy a house, which seem to be comparably priced in Knoxville and save the hassle and expense of an association.

I would go with the balcony. I once fell down a set of spiral stairs, which is easy to do. I was 12 and an avid gymnast and dancer, so balance was not the issue. Something to think about. Private outdoor space is so special, and extra living space to boot!

Private Balcony v. Spiral Death Trap --- no contest for me. A chance to go outside on a lovely Tennessee morning edges out everything else. Hope you're happy there.

A spiral staircase is a hallmark of a builder taking the cheap way out. If they've done that, I would be very cautious about everything else. In fact, you might want to check the building codes in your area. A spiral staircase would not probably not pass code, particularly as a point of egress from a bedroom.

Also, re-sale on a spiral staircase unit would be a NIGHTMARE!

balcony!!

Hate the spiral.

zingsarah--

But had you fallen off a *balcony*, you might not have (as Madonna sings) lived to tell... :)

Please, people, two people = TWO BATHROOMS. No contest, and balcony versus death spiral does not even come into play.

Just imagining possiblities here for the 2/2 ... Adding a dumbwaiter to hoist things up, and a laundry chute, and a fire pole for fun descents ... #121 begins to sound like too much fun.

Either way, go with your gut and choose the home that will make you happy.

patrick (the other one), That's how I feel about bathrooms, too. Last night, original poster Karen wrote that they'd chosen the one bath apartment because it turned out to be more affordable. Maybe they'll have different work schedules, which would help.