(Above) Even with new carpet and fresh paint, the elevator lobbies on the 20th floors of both towers are often described by Marina City residents as “depressing.” Remarked one critic recently on the blog for residents, “It’s a joke from the Lady Gaga School of Decorating.” (Click on image to view larger version.)

February 25, 2010 – Decorating ideas by Marina Towers Condominium Association are not going over well with some residents at Marina City.

Owners who attended the February 18 condo board meeting say they were told a “model floor” on the 53rd floor of the east tower would have carpet similar to a dark gray pattern installed in December on the 20th floors of both towers.

That carpeting, which features an abstract pattern reminiscent of an aerial view of Marina City, is being criticized by residents, who also complain that decorating decisions have been made without input from owners.

On the Marina City resident blog, Marina Watchdog, complaints have dominated the discussion for weeks.

One resident summed it up. “It seems everyone is mad about the decorating. I agree it looks like crap and is a complete waste of money in these tough times.”

Residents have noted that the carpet seems to be of a lower quality than what was previously installed on residential floors. Still, the project to redecorate hallways could cost as much as $1.3 million, according to a resident who attended the February board meeting.

Another blogger asks, “Why are they re-doing our residential floors? What is wrong with the way they are now? Why is the board spending unnecessary funds to do this?…Why are they insistent on remodeling the residential floors when there is absolutely nothing wrong with them?”

The upgrades have been planned for at least a year, according to residential property manager David Gantt. In a January 14 memo to unit owners, he explained that the carpet tiles installed on the 20th floors – where laundry, fitness, storage, and meeting rooms are located – would not be the same as what will be installed on the residential floors.

“The 20th floor carpet tile is impractical for use on the residential floors due to the problems encountered in matching the pattern in the round corridors.”

He says the model floor will “provide insight to the future potential appearance of the 80 residential floors. The idea is that a model floor might spur sales and rentals and improve overall property values.”

According to Gantt, the model floor was designed by board members Robert Abell, an architect, and interior designer Marc Straits. Unit owners, he says, will be able to view the results on the 53rd floor of the east tower or see photos of the model floor on the MTCA web site. All unit owners would then receive a survey about the proposed changes.

Lighting, doors, door knockers to be upgraded

Besides carpet, doors and lighting will be upgraded, according to a letter Gantt sent to residents in December. Doors will be painted gray. Door knockers will be installed – replacing doorbells – along with a new door numbering system based on a “star map” buried in the foundation of Marina City in 1962.

Meanwhile, carpet on the lower concourse level will be replaced at a cost to the condo association of $42,000, according to a resident who attended the February board meeting.

Although a common area for residents, many commercial tenants are located on the lower level. According to residential property manager Gantt, who declined comment for this article, the carpet was selected by architects working for the commercial property owner. At the November 19 MTCA board meeting, unit owners were told the commercial owner was going to contribute $20,000 toward new carpeting of the concourse, less than what the condo board had been expecting.

(Above) Aerial view of new carpet. After this photograph was taken, the carpet tiles were re-installed to match better along the seams.

 Related story: Upgrades coming to residential floors, concourse level