Eastern Market Penthouse Wants $3950 a Month

If you ever wanted to live atop a building at Eastern Market, here's your chance. For a mere $3950 (parking not included), you can rent the 3-story E&B Brewery Lofts penthouse. The rent is crazy, given that we're talking about a 2-bedroom, 2.5-bath unit in Not San Francisco, but there are definite perks here, including the fact that Detroit's oldest and most beloved farmers market is literally footsteps away. Not to mention that the place is beautiful, with views to die for and fabulous outdoor entertaining space.

The loft boasts hardwood and concrete floors and a lofted living space on the second story with what the listing copy describes as "360 panoramic views of Downtown, Eastern Market, and Lafayette Park." Despite the mathematical issues with that statement, the views are, indeed, stunning. The kitchen is very modern, with stainless steel appliances and granite counters, which might feel cold, if not for the massive windows and soaring ceilings.

The unit—essentially a tiny 3-story building atop another, much larger building—has design and materials that convey the idea of old-school loft, but with finishes and amenities that offer the best of 2015. There's a vast master suite taking up the entire third story. The master bath is luxe. There's a stand-alone shower and a freestanding jetted soaking tub, not to mention the de rigeur dual vanity. Given the rent, we'd expect to see the shower in the master bath enclosed somehow. It's very large, to be sure, but we can't help be imagine water splashing everywhere, and that's a big no-thank-you.

The loft comes with private use of a large roof deck, too. Parking isn't included, but is available in the adjoining gated lot (with remote control access) for $35 a month. There's in-unit laundry, which you'd expect given the insane price point. There are tall, paned windows that take up whole walls, brushed steel stair rails, and exposed ductwork. The concrete floors seem a bit severe, and the hardwood isn't a whole lot warmer, given the very dark stain, but the exposed brickwarms things up a touch, and we suspect rugs and furniture would go a long way towards making the place homey.

Other amenities include an elevator, which you'd definitely want, given that the penthouse sits atop four stories. The loft offers over 3000 square feet of living space, and every conceivable modern convenience, but we're still not sold on the price. Even downtown corporate rentals go for about half this rent, and it's hard to imagine a situation where this price is a good alternative to simply buying a loft or even a traditional home.

·E&B Brewery Lofts [E&B Brewery Lofts]
·1551 Winder [The Loft Warehouse]