We bought OF Center on the resale market 2 years ago. I think personal preference comes into play alot with making this decision but I'll tell you why we decided on the ocean front center: (1) the balcony on the studio side of the OF Center is a true OF balcony whereas the deluxe one is more boxy and faces the side of the building (2) If you look at the larger deluxe unit you will notice most of the additional space is the walk-in hallway (it's huge) and so you will be paying higher maintenance fees for not that much more actual living space (3) privacy. We've only used our OF unit once thus far but we got the 6th floor and all we saw out our windows was ocean, all we heard at night was the ocean and only people on ships could look into our unit. Personally, this is huge for me because when I was laying out at the pool I couldn't help but look up at the OF deluxe units and watch people in their units eating, walking around, etc. It made me that much more appreciative about being truly OF instead of having corner windows where people look in at you from the pool area. That being said I believe people that prefer the OF deluxe do so because of the many windows and all the light you get in your corner unit from all the windows (again, for me, that was actually a negative-see #3 above). Also, maybe people who own OF deluxe corner units like overlooking the pool area on the studio side. My preference is to not have the pool noise.
So it was really easy for us to decide on the OF center versus the OF deluxe because of our preferences of privacy, true OF lanais on both sides of our unit with lower MF and a lower purchase price it was a very easy decision for us to make. Of course, the OF deluxe are tooted as the best units so I'm sure there are many people who prefer those units. Just decide what's important for you.
Ummm... a few things - we own OF Dlx. I have never stayed in the middle unit, but did have an opportunity to check one out while we were there in Nov. (next to us - it hadn't been occupied yet)
Most of your points are well-taken - but being able to see people in the Dlx side??? First the corner windows have shears - so during the daytime you are not seeing in (perhaps at night with the lights on... or with the shears pulled back) The Dlx 1Bd side balcony is bigger (hugh at 25ft x 7.5ft). The studio-side is bigger, and has a better layout - you are correct about the Dlx studio balcony being on the side, but since it sits in the front of the building it sits in front of the pools - also, there are corner units that face away from the pools - but you are correct - better to have a balcony facing the ocean, but the studio balcony isn't all that bad view-wise.
The 1Bd Dlx has a panaromic view with the windows on the side - and great light. The hallway wasn't wasted space for us - we made good use of it - plus the angles give more of an open/larger feeling. Even as 'wasted space' the Dlx 1Bd is more roomier and wider. The Dlx balcony is also more private since it sits back - whereas the center balconies are side-by-side.
The center studio is likely very easy to rent and at more of a premium. Also, I assume that the MFs are less. (the same as the OV premiums?)
Given all these things - I agree that the center OF is probably a better value. If we had known the studio-side had a true balcony - we would have probably bought a center OF. However, I have only seen one for sale in the 16 months I have been tracking (went unsold) - although I hear there have been others.
What did you pay for your center OF unit (we paid ~$53.5K)? (yes, a bit too much, but...) Also, are your MFs the same as the other premium units? I haven't seen a OV premium studio unit - did they take away some living space to make the floor space the same with the balcony (it seemed smaller than I would have expected)?
