Empty nesters find ideal home in NewBo's Bottleworks Loft Condominiums

Tom and Cathy Petersen had always wanted to live in a warehouse condominium.

But when they were newly married, young and 'penniless,' they couldn't afford the lofty price of an urban loft, Tom said.

It wasn't until this year that the empty-nesters finally moved from their home on the Southeast side of Cedar Rapids to their dream condo in the Bottleworks building in NewBo.

The building, which is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, was once home to a supermarket, food processing warehouse and eventually the Life Beverage Company, which bottled soft drinks on the ground floor.

It was transformed into a hip, urban-dweller's paradise within the last ten years, with more than 50 condos designed around the original warehouse's features — think exposed brick and ducts, oversized windows that flood units with natural light, cool concrete floors, incredibly high ceilings and swoon-worthy spiral staircases.

The Petersen's bought their condo in 2012 and rented it out until the unit next door opened up in 2014. After purchasing the second unit, they knocked out the neighboring wall to create one large, three-bed, three-bath condo that they share with their 'Katrina cat' rescued from New Orleans, who's very appropriately named Jazz.

The first unit is home to their living space, with a sunny, open-concept living room that boasts impressive views of the city from the massive, original warehouse windows. A spiral staircase winds up into a small area of lofted seating that overlooks the living room and granite-countertopped and cherry cabinet kitchen.

Down the hall are two small bedrooms — one of which was another add-on — for their college-bound son and daughter.

In the second unit is the 'master bedroom on steroids,' as they call it, which features a large master bed and bath, walk in closet, a wet bar, another living room with a spiral staircase loft and a 'patio' office through sliding glass doors.

The 'patio' isn't actually outdoors, however. The quirky, unique space still is indoors and open to the hallways of the building, giving the sense of being 'outside' without actually being outside.

If it's the outdoors they're looking for, though, the Petersens make their way to the rooftop patio or green space just outside.

Beyond the trendy features is the prime location, which the Petersen's agree is easily the best part about living there.

Restaurants, theaters, museums, bike trails, breweries and more are all within walking distance from their home.

In fact, Tom walks just nine blocks to work at ITC Midwest downtown, CSPS Hall, the couple's stamping grounds for music and theater, is a barely a block away.

'Downtown is the epicenter for arts and culture — there are so many choices for things to do,' Tom said.

They admit there is just one downside to the location: the infamous trains that run through the city so frequently, blaring their horns loudly enough that even through the brick it can be difficult to carry on a conversation or hear the television.

But even that, they said, is just 'part of the ambience.'

Learn more

There's a reason urban living is becoming more trendy, and it's really a no brainier.

'People want to live, work and play in the same area,' said Heather Hull, a business recruitment specialist for the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance.

And while people are becoming more interested in downtown living, businesses are looking to develop downtown, too.

To learn more about what it's like to live downtown, or what area developers, builders and property managers are currently working on, check out the Economic Alliance's free urban living event on Tuesday, May 17 from 4:30 to 6:30 at their office (501 First St SE). Complimentary hors D'oeuvres and drinks will be served.

Register at www.cedarrapids.org/events.