Cooking at 909

Even with all of the nearby restaurants, it’s nice to stay in and prepare my own dinner from time to time. Every apartment at Lofts at 909 comes with a full range of appliances (pictured below) and has plenty of counter space to prepare a meal.

Just last night, I prepared garlic asparagus and broiled salmon over rice. The flattop electric range heats to an accurate temperature and makes it easy to braise and simmer, fry and boil. I broiled the salmon to perfection in the oven (not too long, I prefer mine on the rare side).

When everything is finished, I load the dishwasher (which is incredibly quiet) and kick back to watch the news while enjoying a delicious dinner.

Follow me on Facebook and Twitter for more on loft living in Harrisburg at the Lofts at 909.

Jonas Hair

Cleanly Living at 909

Lofts at 909 provides additional cleaning services for the working professional. When a Loft is rented, the services are easily set up and are at a very reasonable cost. If you are like me, you find it very redeeming to clean your own space and the size of my loft makes it very easy to do so.

For regular wipe downs, I just need two things. A jug of Ready Wipes have proven to be perfect for a quick wipe down and with the layout of my loft, I only need one or two to get the job done. Additionally I have developed a very close bond with my Swiffer. One run over the floors of my loft and the bamboo shines brightly.

Lofts at 909 is without a doubt, the nicest place to live in downtown Harrisburg. The lifestyle that accompanies Loft living has done wonders for my well being. I often sit back on my leather couch and enjoy the ambiance of a spotless loft.

Get inSPIREd

If you’ve been following this blog, you’ve definitely heard me say a lot of great things about the Lofts at 909. And, you’ve heard me talk about how much my neighbors enjoy living here. Last week, we received some praise from beyond our walls — a new publication produced by Central Penn Business Journal — inSPIRE.

inSPIRE looks inside the lives of Central PA’s business people. It takes a look at what area entrepreneurs and business leaders do when they’re not working hard to accomplish their dreams and goals. As CEO/Publisher, David Schankweiler puts it, “Think of it as a snapshot of those who inspire and what inspires them.”

Click here to check out the first issue online. Turn to page 14 for “Lofty Living” and see what others have to say about the Lofts at 909.

Pampered at 909

Everyone loves a long, relaxing shower. For many it’s the start to their morning, for others, it’s the pleasant end to a busy day. Whether you prefer morning or night, hot or cold, the spacious bathrooms of Lofts at 909 are sure to please.

Thick tiled floors, a large well-lit vanity and a ‘Rain Drop’ showerhead make the bathrooms a great escape anytime of the day. Each unit is equipped with an independent water heater to ensure an uninterrupted flow of hot water. And, don’t worry about spending a little extra time indulging yourself — your all-inclusive rent covers your electricity and water. Even your towels are included.

I’m heading out for a long jog now, which will be followed by a long hot shower and then a relaxing afternoon enjoying the ice-cold air conditioning and lightning fast Wi-Fi. Pampered is an understatement.

 -Jonas Hair

3rd in the Burg

This Friday is 3rd in the Burg — a monthly, citywide event that stretches from Downtown to Midtown. Galleries across the city open their doors to share their new exhibits. Beginning at 5PM, the streets of Harrisburg come alive with folks shuffling from gallery to gallery. You can walk, take a bike taxi or even a shuttle if you prefer.

My third Fridays normally begin with a cocktail happy hour in my loft. A few friends and I share drinks as the city begins to bustle with art enthusiasts. We then make our way downtown to begin our tour. There are a number of restaurants that participate in the evening as well. We often stop in one of these establishments to refuel.

These are great nights to connect with old friends and make new ones. If you’re in the area, you don’t want to miss it.

Follow me on Facebook and Twitter as I enjoy all that is great in Harrisburg, PA.

Memorial Day at 909

What a weekend! My three-day weekend was packed with fun, and living in the Lofts at 909 made it all the better.

A short walk to the river on Saturday put me in the middle of Artsfest, an annual event that brings arts vendors, craftsmen and musicians from all over the United States to the banks of the Susquehanna River. In addition to the arts and crafts, there was great food aplenty. Later that day, I attended a friends wedding just a short drive over the river in Enola. Then it was back to the city for a night on the town – on foot of course.

Sunday took me to Atlantic City for yet another wedding. The central location of Harrisburg makes trips within the Tri-State area a breeze. Just three short hours and I was knocking back a martini and doubling down on a pair of kings.

Monday I returned to my Loft and soaked in some of the nice air-conditioning before hitting the riverfront for one last taste of the great food and music.

Loft living couldn’t be better.

Jonas Hair

COMMUNITY AT 909

In case you missed it, The Patriot News recently ran an article about Harrisburg, PA’s Midtown. A growing art scene, friendly neighbors and plenty of entertainment make Harrisburg a great place to be and Lofts at 909 is in the center of it all.

With 18 of the 22 apartments occupied, the Lofts have become their own little community. We chat in the hallways and even run into each other when we are out on the town. There is a sense of camaraderie between us — a sense of pride. We love Harrisburg. We love the Lofts. And, we love the life and opportunities we are experiencing.

This pride is citywide and becomes apparent as you stroll around the sidewalks. Green Street is filled with happy homeowners and brightly colored doors. Third Street is bustling with people moving from shop to shop and gallery to gallery. A five-minute walk opens up endless opportunities — a movie, coffee and a book, shopping, and much more. There is great dining throughout the city as well — from Restaurant Row on Second, to Shipoke, to 4th and Walnut.

There are only a few units left. If you’re interested in joining our growing community, feel free to contact me. You can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter.

Jonas Hair

THE KEYSTONE EXPRESS

A great facet of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania is its close proximity to Philadelphia and New York City. The best way to travel to these places is the train, or in this case, the Keystone Express.

To Philadelphia, it’s an hour and a half and from Harrisburg to New York City, the train ride is 3 and a half hours. I’ve always been a fan of the train. It’s a nostalgic and convenient way to travel. Not to mention plenty of time to get some needed work taken care of while en route.

What makes it even better is the walk from Lofts at 909 to the Harrisburg Train Station. I walk out the front steps and have a nice stroll through the state capitol grounds. All of the grounds are well kept and the buildings are quite a sight to see. I emerge on the other end seeing the train station just up the street. Even if I’m returning at night, the grounds are well lit and safe.

Not only am I living well in Lofts at 909, I also have the ease of being in New York City in time for brunch.  Stay tuned to my downtown travels and updates on Twitter and Facebook.

Jonas Hair

SPRING IS IN THE AIR

The days of spring are here and I’ve been really enjoying this weather from my Loft. The streets of downtown Harrisburg are filled with people who all seem to be enjoying the spring air. I strolled outside this morning to the courtyard in Lofts at 909 to work from my laptop and take in the scenery.

Lofts at 909 has wonderful grounds. Nicely landscaped surroundings make the exterior of the lofts a great place to relax. I currently am sitting on one of the benches in the courtyard while I write this. There is a big beautiful tree and the blossoms are getting ready to bloom. Whether I’m coming or going, the environment brings some peace to my busy work schedule.
It’s almost lunchtime and the sidewalks are full of people enjoying the day. Downtown Harrisburg is a beautiful place. It’s full of architecture and nicely landscaped gardens. The entire Greenbelt walk along the river has been full of people taking in the lush grounds with an incredible view of the river. The new baseball stadium is on City Island in the middle of the river and the walk to get there provides a great view of the city. When I return to my Loft, I open up the curtains to my 5 full windows and let the sun fill the room. It is an outstanding environment and I couldn’t be happier with my home.

Harrisburg is a great place to be in the spring. And, the Lofts are smack, dab in the middle of it all. The streets are full of people brushing off the dust of winter and taking in the fresh, spring air. Whether you prefer a brisk jog, a leisurely stroll or a relaxing bike ride, Harrisburg is the place to be. Forbes.com agrees — the Harrisburg/Carlisle region was ranked number five on their most livable places list. Check it out here.

Jonas Hair

BROAD STREET MARKET

One of my favorite things about living at Lofts at 909 is the close proximity to Broad Street Market. The market is home to many vendors of all types and I enjoy stopping through on a Saturday morning and perusing the goods.

The Broad Street Market was founded in 1860 and is a great place for many to get fresh produce, connect with others in the community and even take in some entertainment. It’s a great place to end a run or grab a midweek snack.

My personal favorite is the Pho from Golden Gate. It’s not uncommon for me to meet a group of friends there on a Saturday morning and catch up over a bowl of their delicious noodles. To see a list of all of the 40 plus vendors at Broad Street Market, click here.

I’m thrilled that it is located just two blocks from my Loft. I’ll be posting links to many different aspects of Broad Street Market on Facebook and Twitter.

Jonas Hair