There's just too much going on for this not to be a thread and it is long overdue for one to be created. So dump here all news of development of commercial, residential, science and research, as well as roads and parks.

Here's a nice glimps of what's coming soon:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2016411761_sluoffice06.html

I'll try to find some project info for what is active in the area. Here's theplan for 901 Dexter:

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3009833AgendaID2583.pdf

I'll try to find some project info for what is active in the area. Here's theplan for 901 Dexter:

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3009833AgendaID2583.pdf

Thats the EDG. The Recommendation one has more detailed renders:
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3009833AgendaID2802.pdf

Hole is pretty well dug, and last I saw the crane was up.

Amazon clearly needs to build a skyscraper with all this growth. :)

Thats the EDG. The Recommendation one has more detailed renders:
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3009833AgendaID2802.pdf

Hole is pretty well dug, and last I saw the crane was up.
Here's the webcam:

http://901dexterprogress.com/webcam.html

Amazon clearly needs to build a skyscraper with all this growth. :)

I know we would all love another really tall skyscraper, however, it is pretty amazing how landing Amazon has helped turn South Lake Union into more than just that place you drive by to get to Seattle Center.

Amazon clearly needs to build a skyscraper with all this growth. :)

5th and Madison anchor tenant? If only...

Seriously though, they've built up SLU enough. Do something for the skyline! Please!!!

Hey, they already took 1918 8th off the market and are apparently looking at West 8th, too: http://www.geekwire.com/2011/amazon-continues-hunt-office-space-eyes-west-8th-expansion. That's some skyscraperage, and taking that office space off the market certainly enables more.

The coup would obviously be for Amazon to be growing fast enough to be the tenant for the Clise properties, but even with all the growth, that seems far-fetched.

Thats dreaming really big! But I like your style! And yea taking up all that space is good because of the impact on citywide vacancy area but I really want something dramatic and new for the skyline- like 5th and Madison! If they tied down amazon.com or a comparable then surely they'd start building with construction costs being what they are right now.

Hey, they already took 1918 8th off the market and are apparently looking at West 8th, too: http://www.geekwire.com/2011/amazon-continues-hunt-office-space-eyes-west-8th-expansion. That's some skyscraperage, and taking that office space off the market certainly enables more.

The coup would obviously be for Amazon to be growing fast enough to be the tenant for the Clise properties, but even with all the growth, that seems far-fetched.
Amazon will pretty much take all the available remaining space at West 8th then. That's two of the new skyscrapers filled. Polyclinic filling the Madison and 7th building. With the exception of all the old space Amazon vacated, where IS the office space left in dowtown Seattle? How much is left in the old WAMU Center and WAMU Tower?

I would LOVE to see 5th and Columbia resurrected for Amazon. Only downfall is it would be a bit far removed from the SLU campus.

I would LOVE to see 5th and Columbia resurrected for Amazon. Only downfall is it would be a bit far removed from the SLU campus.
But good cause to extend the streetcar down 5th to hookup with the ID line.

I was thinking the same thing, just didn't want to seem too ambitious :lol:

Too bad they can't just move the building to the Clise properties.

It was so specifically designed for that location, what with the stilts and all. And I would be soo bummed to see it shortened when in fact it should be taller!

But it basically seems like we're on Team Amazon Skyscraper if it were possible.

This is what I like to see!

http://www.djc.com/news/re/12033973.html

^^ Me too! I really like this design a lot.

This is what I like to see!

http://www.djc.com/news/re/12033973.html
Yeah! That billboard (same rendering) has been on that block since before Rollin Street was built. It's right next door on Westlake for those not knowing where this will go.

Excellent.

Heres a couple of shots of that block from my SLU walking tour last winter. I walked around and identified lots/blocks that I would like to see be developed/better used, etc, and this was one of them.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5219/5419439215_c2342a65a1_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5133/5420044192_674fde4b8d_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5219/5420045026_9a2b5567da_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5139/5420045756_3493463fb2_b.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5132/5419443249_9f2865dd3d_b.jpg

Did the article say if the building went from corner to corner on Westlake? I was kind of hoping to see that old Athletic Supply Co. building somehow restored

You'll be happy to know it spares that building. Details here:

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3006283AgendaID1520.pdf

You'll be happy to know it spares that building. Details here:

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3006283AgendaID1520.pdf

The former Athletic Supply building is in the midst of a 4 million dollar renovation. Its supposed to be done by summer.

Ben

The former Athletic Supply building is in the midst of a 4 million dollar renovation. Its supposed to be done by summer.

Ben
I'm glad to hear. I wonder what the intended use will be. Still commercial?

I'm glad to hear. I wonder what the intended use will be. Still commercial?

From what I could find on the DPD website, it will be office/retail with parking in the basement and a 5th floor addition. There was a plan back in 2007 to convert it to apartments and add 2 floors.

From what I could find on the DPD website, it will be office/retail with parking in the basement and a 5th floor addition. There was a plan back in 2007 to convert it to apartments and add 2 floors.

The orignal plan sounds better than the current one :-/

Amazon will pretty much take all the available remaining space at West 8th then. That's two of the new skyscrapers filled. Polyclinic filling the Madison and 7th building. With the exception of all the old space Amazon vacated, where IS the office space left in dowtown Seattle? How much is left in the old WAMU Center and WAMU Tower?

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2016439483_office08.html

19 office buildings have 100,000 sq. Ft. Or more of space available, and Columbia Center has 500,000 sq. Ft. Available, and both 1111 Third Ave. and Wells Fargo Center have 275,000 sq. ft. available.

There is a ways to go before a major tower is constructed, imho.

Thanks for the specifics

I thought they were talking about a power substation on the Greyhound Garage site. Now talks of a dog park there. I suppose they could live in harmony. It's a big site. Here's the article:

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/South-Lake-Union-s-900-dogs-help-lobby-for-park-2209857.php#photo-1656708

Sad. I wish that lot would revert to the proposed 50-story hotel and conference space.

Sad. I wish that lot would revert to the proposed 50-story hotel and conference space.
The hotel was planned for the block where the Greyhound Station is (8th and Stewart). This lot is where the buses are garaged/repaired/etc over on Denny and Pontius.

And I still think the hotel/conference center will happen if/when the WSCTC takes over the Convention Place transit Center.

I never quite understood the substation project at the maintenance garage space. It just seems like that is too prominent of a location for a substation. I wonder what the alternative locations considered were.

The hotel was planned for the block where the Greyhound Station is (8th and Stewart). This lot is where the buses are garaged/repaired/etc over on Denny and Pontius.

Oh ok thank God. I love my dog and she loves the off leash parks but I really wanted that Hotel built!

Thanks for correcting me :)

And I still think the hotel/conference center will happen if/when the WSCTC takes over the Convention Place transit Center.

Yay! That's a relief to hear. I can wait I just hope it does eventually happen.

And I still think the hotel/conference center will happen if/when the WSCTC takes over the Convention Place transit Center.

I never quite understood the substation project at the maintenance garage space. It just seems like that is too prominent of a location for a substation. I wonder what the alternative locations considered were.

What is a substation?

Due to a heavy concentration of new power-demanding biotech and the like in the SLU area, a new power substation is planned for the area.

What is a substation?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_substation

For anyone who knows the contractor Krekow Jennings (http://www.krekowjennings.com/) I just noticed they cleared out their SLU office and their website says they're at 2011 East Olive (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=2011+east+olive&hl=en&ll=47.617197,-122.306121&spn=93.702768,158.027344&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=55.586984,79.013672&vpsrc=6&hnear=2011+E+Olive+St,+Seattle,+Washington+98122&t=w&z=3&layer=c&panoid=PWycdJ0o5pmkvufsVWs0Eg&cbll=47.617197,-122.306121&cbp=13,491.86670145031087,,0,-1.4896902673401655) (Madison and 20th Ave). Interesting location for a smaller, high-end general contractor but probably convenient to a lot of their work. This part of Madison has changed a lot in recent with Deano's finally gone. Still lots of change underway.

A neighboring SLU business has also been vacated on this block (east side of 9th Ave N between Thomas and Harrison). I tried to see on the Activity Locator if any permit applications have been submitted for these parcels but didn't find any. Anyone know if a project is in for permit yet here?

Drove by the Dexter and Roy site. The former Europa Auto Brokers building is all fenced off. Demolition looks imminent!! Yeah!!

Im seeing design review docs for just about every block on the west side of Dexter:

Edit: Had a few projects backwards:

717 Dexter (Europa Auto site, apparently about to start Construction?):
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3010394AgendaID2875.pdf
801 Dexter (2nd round of EDG):
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3012351AgendaID3361.pdf
901 Dexter (Currently Under Construction):
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3009833AgendaID2802.pdf
1101 Dexter (Office proposal from '08):
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3006945AgendaID2129.pdf
1319 Dexter (Design review docs upcoming):
http://web1.seattle.gov/dpd/LUIB/Notice.aspx?BID=42&NID=1158
1701 Dexter (Pre-fab Project):
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3008741AgendaID2398.pdf

Throw in UW Medicine Phase 3 and Dexter Ave is pretty exciting at the moment. I imagine once the Mercer fix is done and the DBT portal is done, we'll see something for the west block bounded by Mercer and Roy (where Copiers Northwest is at the moment).

I should also throw in all that is proposed for Westlake in that same area:

601 Westlake (Corner of Westlake and Mercer. I imagine on hold until they finish the Mercer Rebuild):
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3009234AgendaID2348.pdf
1101 Westlake (Building A1 of a 3 building proposal. Site cleared, but no action since):
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3004381AgendaID2157.pdf
1207 Westlake (Building B1 and B2 of the 3 building proposal. Again, site cleared, but no action since):
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3008425AgendaID2156.pdf

Wow thanks for posting all those links! I've specifically tried to round one up for Insignia Towers project but couldn't find it.

It's so great to see our proper mid-rose section will actually be a proper mid-rise section in the hopefully not too distant future! The shots over Lake Union towards downtown won't be embarrassingly empty and sparse anymore!

Thanks, Guys!! Great to have all these links in one place.

I imagine once the Mercer fix is done and the DBT portal is done, we'll see something for the west block bounded by Mercer and Roy (where Copiers Northwest is at the moment).

That would be a speedy 6 years from now.

Six years sounds like a long time looking forward....but stuff that completed six years ago feels like yesterday. Even stuff completed 20 years ago can seem pretty new. Wow I'm old.

I still think of the bus tunnel as new, so I feel your pain.

Six years sounds like a long time looking forward....but stuff that completed six years ago feels like yesterday. Even stuff completed 20 years ago can seem pretty new. Wow I'm old.
Whole Foods (2200 Westlake) is having their 5th Anniversary Celebration. See how time flies?

Yeah, and I'm still worried about that upcoming 2007-2009 transit tunnel closure...oh wait.

For anyone who knows the contractor Krekow Jennings (http://www.krekowjennings.com/) I just noticed they cleared out their SLU office ...

A neighboring SLU business has also been vacated on this block (east side of 9th Ave N between Thomas and Harrison). I tried to see on the Activity Locator if any permit applications have been submitted for these parcels but didn't find any. Anyone know if a project is in for permit yet here?

A company called Third and Wall is moving into the KJ space right now.

from: http://www.thirdandwall.com/
Third & Wall Art Group is a Seattle-based art company committed to publishing and promoting exceptional artists whose work meets (and exceeds) the needs and challenges of the decorative art market. We offer fine art posters, print-on-demand programs and original artworks for retail, corporate, residential, hospitality and healthcare clients.

Yeah, and I'm still worried about that upcoming 2007-2009 transit tunnel closure...oh wait.

We'll get you a granny-walker and some Depends.

The building at the 202 Westlake site is now completely vacant (went by there today).

The building at the 202 Westlake site is now completely vacant (went by there today).
Let's hope a fence goes up soon.

Demolition looks imminent on the 717 Dexter site.

Due to a heavy concentration of new power-demanding biotech and the like in the SLU area, a new power substation is planned for the area.
Here's the latest on that. Looks like demolition of the Greyhound Garage may begin early next year (a guess):

http://thesouthlake.com/2011/11/03/demolition-and-clean-up-at-greyhound-site-ready-to-move-forward

This is a little old, but comprehensive and still pretty accurate map of SLU - what has been, is being, and will be built (emphasis on Vulcan of course):

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/ABPub/2010/09/24/2012987061.pdf

Thanks for that. It really puts everything into perspective especially when you realize not every project is on there. It's crazy! It's like the whole damn neighborhood is new development!

Another one for the core of SLU along Fairview:

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3012675AgendaID3392.pdf

Kindof interesting because its doing some double facade-ism.

Another one for the core of SLU along Fairview:

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3012675AgendaID3392.pdf

Kindof interesting because its doing some double facade-ism.
Drove by this today and it is a beautiful facade to incorporate. Hope this gets built sometime soon!

Yah I think it's great they're saving this one. I like option 3 the best.

^^ Agreed. I like option 3 too.

This is the one I was asking about at 9th and Republican. I like their preferred option the best.

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3012418AgendaID3374.pdf

This is the one I was asking about at 9th and Republican. I like their preferred option the best.

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3012418AgendaID3374.pdf

Anyone ever seen one of those where the design review actually denied them their preferred alternative? Or even made them choose a different alternative instead of slight adjustments to their preferred alternative? I would imagine if their preferred scheme was that bad, theyd just send them back to the drawing board than just picking one of their sortof slapped together ideas they coughed up so they could meet the alternatives requirement.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6213/6345290122_63b286f58c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/68993706@N02/6345290122/)
UW Medical Phase 3 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/68993706@N02/6345290122/) by LCCIII (http://www.flickr.com/people/68993706@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6094/6345284266_6c136cb5ff_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/68993706@N02/6345284266/)
UW Medical Phase 3 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/68993706@N02/6345284266/) by LCCIII (http://www.flickr.com/people/68993706@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6117/6344506097_28e3ec8fdc_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/68993706@N02/6344506097/)
UW Medical Phase 3 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/68993706@N02/6344506097/) by LCCIII (http://www.flickr.com/people/68993706@N02/), on Flickr

November 15, 2011

Equity plans housing in South Lake Union
By JOURNAL STAFF
Equity Residential asked the city of Seattle for early design guidance on a 275-unit apartment project on Minor Avenue North in South Lake Union near Amazon.com's headquarters.


Any idea how tall this might be?

Whoa! That's a big one. But I still doubt it will be anything over 7. This is probably the project at Minor and Republican.

Whoa! That's a big one. But I still doubt it will be anything over 7. This is probably the project at Minor and Republican.

The DJC map makes it look like it's the full block between John and Thomas on west side of Minor. There's a big parking lot there now.

It's good to see more residential in SLU, though I also think it's kind of too bad that almost all the residential is clustered in the Cascade area and almost all the office/lab is along Westlake/Terry. It seems like more mixing would be better for the retail spaces -- a lunch crowd and a dinner crowd is better than only one of each.

I guess there's also residential creeping down Dexter on the other side, though, and at least a few offices on the Cascade side, and the distances certainly aren't too far to walk, so maybe it'll work out as the whole area fills in. The rezone may help, too.

The DJC map makes it look like it's the full block between John and Thomas on west side of Minor. There's a big parking lot there now.

It's good to see more residential in SLU, though I also think it's kind of too bad that almost all the residential is clustered in the Cascade area and almost all the office/lab is along Westlake/Terry. It seems like more mixing would be better for the retail spaces -- a lunch crowd and a dinner crowd is better than only one of each.

I guess there's also residential creeping down Dexter on the other side, though, and at least a few offices on the Cascade side, and the distances certainly aren't too far to walk, so maybe it'll work out as the whole area fills in. The rezone may help, too.

The area is pretty small. I walk all the time from WestLake/Terry over to Yale in around 5 minutes or less. I don't think that's a huge problem. It would be nice to see a critical mass of housing develop so more services were around like a drugstore.

Ben

I'd rather have the twin tower monster proposal across the street but this is good too because it's always good news when a parking lot bites the dust.

November 15, 2011

Equity plans housing in South Lake Union
By JOURNAL STAFF
Equity Residential asked the city of Seattle for early design guidance on a 275-unit apartment project on Minor Avenue North in South Lake Union near Amazon.com's headquarters.


Any idea how tall this might be?
Here's the better Times article. It is indeed between John and Thomas as noted by Steve M.

And the answer is 5 stories:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2016772646_equity16.html

Well...I guess it's better than a parking lot...

I wonder if the city will ever follow through with upzoning South Lake Union and letting taller buildings be built.

They will- right after Vulcan finishes developing the entire neighborhood.

I'm probably in the minority, but I like SLU pretty much where it is. I like that the heights stair-step down from city to lake. More than happy to see the Denny Triangle with heights 20-40 stories - much more I don't know if there will ever be demand for anything higher anytime soon. SLU I'd like to see staying at a 10-floor max height though with higher buildings clustering around I-5 or Denny Way fringe. Makes for a prettier skyline from the north I think. :)

I'm all for it stepping down as you said but right now it doesn't step down as much as it just drops off. It goes from 40 stories to 10 stories in a block. Thats not a step.

There is an older, 4 story (or so) building at the SE corner of Dexter and Mercer that is on the same block as the UW Medicine project. Is this eventually going to be demolished and incorporated in to this project?

There is an older, 4 story (or so) building at the SE corner of Dexter and Mercer that is on the same block as the UW Medicine project. Is this eventually going to be demolished and incorporated in to this project?

I think that building used to house the Arthur Murray dance studio, which has since moved over to LQA/Belltown on Elliott Ave. I don't know whether there is still a tenant there.

From what I understood it will be demolished and a new building (the final of phase 3) will be built in it's place.

There is an older, 4 story (or so) building at the SE corner of Dexter and Mercer that is on the same block as the UW Medicine project. Is this eventually going to be demolished and incorporated in to this project?

I think that building used to house the Arthur Murray dance studio, which has since moved over to LQA/Belltown on Elliott Ave. I don't know whether there is still a tenant there.

Yes, it will be demolished and will become a 3rd UW medicine building on that block (the so called phase 3.3, 3.1 and 3.2 are under construction now):
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3011312AgendaID3012.pdf.

Its street frontage is right in the middle of Mercer Phase 2, so they'll probably hold off until after that is done (which the simulation tells me will be end of 2014/beginning of 2015):
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/viaduct/simulations/northportal.htm

Man... this area is going to be a mess for a while. Wish it all moved as fast as SimCity ;)

Yah that's what I thought.

Is that link a 404 error for anyone else?


Edit: thanks!

Yah that's what I thought.

Is that link a 404 error for anyone else?

chopped off the .pdf, fixed now

I'd be so happy if it were built out to these specs:

http://slog.thestranger.com/files/2008/06/slu_rezone_proposal.jpg

http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/maybe_this_will_shut_up_those_my_view_ni#more

3 Seattle office buildings up for sale
By MARC STILES
Journal Staff Reporter

Three large office buildings in Seattle — Metropolitan Park East and West along Interstate 5 and Safeco Center downtown — are on the market.

Jason Flynn of Eastdil Secured told members of NAIOP today that his company is listing the buildings.

I'd be so happy if it were built out to these specs:

http://slog.thestranger.com/files/2008/06/slu_rezone_proposal.jpg

http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/06/maybe_this_will_shut_up_those_my_view_ni#more

And they aren't beige!

Hahaha

I, too, agree with this - with the exception of the three pencil towers on Valley (by the lake). Basically, taller buildings are on the fringe or backside of the SLU neighborhood.

I especially like it because of those towers on the lakes edge. They'd be residential, as per the article that accompanied the graphic, and think of the views they'd have in all directions! I really wouldn't mind living there myself!

I can't find my earlier post right now but I think I posted this pic some time ago showing the mess of an apartment building/storage place that was being at least partly demolished. Just walked by a day or two and the ugly duckling is looking pretty nice as a Cornish place. I couldn't tell what kind of facility this is for the school but it's on the same block as the former Timberline dance hall turned Cornish theater.

During demolition:
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h17/seasun_01/IMAG0192.jpg

Now:
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h17/seasun_01/IMAG0562.jpg

I vaguely remember they're using it as a sculpture studio and also looking to get the donations to build a third story back on top.

Ben

I'm probably in the minority, but I like SLU pretty much where it is. I like that the heights stair-step down from city to lake. More than happy to see the Denny Triangle with heights 20-40 stories - much more I don't know if there will ever be demand for anything higher anytime soon. SLU I'd like to see staying at a 10-floor max height though with higher buildings clustering around I-5 or Denny Way fringe. Makes for a prettier skyline from the north I think. :)

Really? Wow. I don't. I think they should "let 'er rip", but Seattle is so poncey about height restrictions.

And they aren't beige!

Meh. Needs more needle-towers mixed in. That's just my two cents'.

I, too, agree with this - with the exception of the three pencil towers on Valley (by the lake). Basically, taller buildings are on the fringe or backside of the SLU neighborhood.

I'm probably in the minority in that I think towers should cluster against the waterfront, not be pushed away. I don't get Seattle's weird obsession with "protecting" its waterfronts from skyscrapers. So, yes, those pencil towers definitely should be there, and more, too.

Meh. Needs more needle-towers mixed in. That's just my two cents'.

Ehhh I think we're too obsessed with 'pencil' or 'needle' form towers. I want some bulky tall buildings too. Some of my favourite buildings in the city are the US Bank Center, and the Sedgewick James building. I don't want to live in a land of spires, with nothing substantial over 20 storeys.

I like Kensingtonian's picks, though I'd go with Ottawa over Brantford. Also, something like Oakville might be a better choice than Brampton - still accessible for those in Peel and more accessible for those coming from Hamilton and Toronto. Plus Oakville would make a nicer little college town than the sprawl of Brampton.

Huh?

Huh?

Exactly. o_O

I like Kensingtonian's picks, though I'd go with Ottawa over Brantford. Also, something like Oakville might be a better choice than Brampton - still accessible for those in Peel and more accessible for those coming from Hamilton and Toronto. Plus Oakville would make a nicer little college town than the sprawl of Brampton.

Wrong board, buddy.

Cactus is finally open!!

http://www.discoverslu.com/files/content/1750/FINAL_Cactus_SLU_Opening.pdf

Cactus is finally open!!

http://www.discoverslu.com/files/content/1750/FINAL_Cactus_SLU_Opening.pdf

I went there on Tuesday the 22nd for my birthday. They handled a group of 12 like they had been open at that location for years. I was impressed, and the food was as good if not better than their other locations.

I went there on Tuesday the 22nd for my birthday. They handled a group of 12 like they had been open at that location for years. I was impressed, and the food was as good if not better than their other locations.
Went there last night. A slower Sunday so no wait! There were three big tables of families. Strange as I don't think of SLU as a kiddie neighborhood, but lo and behold.

Surprise!!! I finally agree with something you write...The writer obviously just want to paint the ugly side of Macau without any balancing act. Unfortunately, typical of western journalism on this part of the world.

??

Why does this keep happening?

Here we go again! Add another 100K in square feet the the Amazon empire now approaching 3MM square feet (is there a bubble ready to burst here?!). Amazon takes over the entire old site of the Gates Foundation in SLU:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2016916386_amazon03.html

Good God! I wish so bad they'd be an anchor tenant for a new massive downtown tower.

^^Wasn't the whole idea of their campus in SLU so that they were't so disjointed with their office space?

But with them supposedly needing double the space Vulcan is building for them as their central campus, combined with their immediate need vs office space available, this is their current plan. If the Kindle has legs, I can see Vulcan offering a second round of future phases (VI - X?). Perhaps taking space on Terry between Denny and Thomas or heading up to lots between Fairview and Boren.

True. Any news on how long the leases are for?

Plenty of underdeveloped plots for more amazon offices. Including ones sprinkled in between their current campus. Put this map together to show just how much developable land is left in the area.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=211117170427897516476.000480df03548849b715d&msa=0&ll=47.62248,-122.334416&spn=0.009762,0.026157

True. Any news on how long the leases are for?

Plenty of underdeveloped plots for more amazon offices. Including ones sprinkled in between their current campus. Put this map together to show just how much developable land is left in the area.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=211117170427897516476.000480df03548849b715d&msa=0&ll=47.62248,-122.334416&spn=0.009762,0.026157
Nice work! Now overlay that with which are owned by Paul Allen. I could see the ripest pieces being those warehouse/industrial sites intermingled in the new campus and those that border Mercer.

Maybe someday the Amazon expansion will meet up with the Clise Property sale and development resulting in one or more Amazon towers. The land isn't that far from their campus- like the towers they're currently leasing space in.

I have never seen it, that it was so crazy for me.

There is a long blue low-rise building bounded by 8th Avenue, Thomas and Harrison that I can't seem to find out what it is, what it was or if its still active?

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5214/5419400461_54e82ecbd2_z.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5293/5419403385_952ff1cbe8_z.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5179/5420009980_9faf472679_z.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5260/5419414423_9063d903db_z.jpg

I believe this is (or was) a King County Library sorting facility.

Early demolition and fenced site got underway today for the project across John Street from the Rollin St apartments on Westlake.

The 202 Westlake office building project eh?

I'd love to see the apartment project on the back side of Rollin get started. For a second I thought you meant that one...

That must be the name (202 Westlake). Adjacent to the south side of the old Athletic Supply and north of John Street.

Hey, I noticed too that the old Athletic Supply Building is getting some height. I'm assuming a level (maybe two) of housing as rumored but can't find anything else on it.

The 202 Westlake office building project eh?

I'd love to see the apartment project on the back side of Rollin get started. For a second I thought you meant that one...
This one:

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3007906AgendaID2630.pdf

There are newer design proposals for that apartment building. Actually, from what I remember it has already been approved and it's pretty disappointing - not only is the design cheap, but they are also not maximizing the height limit.

Lab/office project on Fairview moves ahead
By JOURNAL STAFF

Building the second phase of a laboratory and office project called Fairview Research Center II in South Lake Union got a boost yesterday when a Seattle City Council committee recommended a rezone for the site.


Anyone know more about this rezone? Is this the whole SLU rezone?!?

There are newer design proposals for that apartment building. Actually, from what I remember it has already been approved and it's pretty disappointing - not only is the design cheap, but they are also not maximizing the height limit.

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3007906AgendaID3257.pdf

Is this the right one?

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3007906AgendaID3257.pdf

Is this the right one?

Thats the one. Quick question tho. It looks like typical wood frame on croncrete box, but woodframes I thought were typically limited to 5 stories. This one looks like 6-7 on top of 1-2? Is this going to be reinforced concrete instead?

I think woodframe is allowed up to 85', with a max of five levels of wood.

This is 7 stories total, or slighly more on the alley side.

Lab/office project on Fairview moves ahead
By JOURNAL STAFF

Building the second phase of a laboratory and office project called Fairview Research Center II in South Lake Union got a boost yesterday when a Seattle City Council committee recommended a rezone for the site.


Anyone know more about this rezone? Is this the whole SLU rezone?!?
Yeah!

As I recall, this expansion is nothing special. But it's nice to see Fairview getting in on all this expansion action. There's so much of it that could really use a lift (or a dozer).

But does anyone know about the rezone?!? That's the only part of that snippet I care about!!

Thats the one. Quick question tho. It looks like typical wood frame on croncrete box, but woodframes I thought were typically limited to 5 stories. This one looks like 6-7 on top of 1-2? Is this going to be reinforced concrete instead?
It's a shame they got rid of the retail component. I was hoping the Terry's full length cound have been a restaurant/nightlife street someday.

But does anyone know about the rezone?!? That's the only part of that snippet I care about!!
It wasn't raised very high. This looks to be about 7 stories and nothing special:
http://www.cbre.com/NR/rdonlyres/4B0ABFB4-47F9-4E7F-B154-4572CF18D9CB/887917/FairviewResearchCenterIIBioMed4pgs.pdf

Westlake is the street with most existing retail, and has dramatically more potential than Terry to begin with.

For starters, Terry sort of "dead ends" at Denny and always will. That's death to most retail, which needs to be on the way to things. Let Terry serve as a low-intensity back street with scattered retail that mostly serves tenants.

Why hurt Westlake? Why make the Belltown mistake all over again?

Well, I was speaking of restaurants and nightlife specifically where a dead end and lighter one way traffic is a plus for pedestrians 'bar hopping.' Think Bourbon or Beale.

The street is mostly new office buildings with a little retail. Bourbon and Beale have ground floors dominated by retail, deep into each building.

I noticed last night that the 202 Westlake site had major demo done over the weekend. At a glance at least two, probably all three old buildings were leveled.

I noticed last night that the 202 Westlake site had major demo done over the weekend. At a glance at least two, probably all three old buildings were leveled.

I got a good picture of it with Amazon phase 5 in the background. Will post when I get home.

Thai restaurant coming to SLU taking over the Bad Monkee Bistro spot:

http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2011/12/05/thai-curry-simple-to-open-in-south-lake-union

Cool old signs uncovered at the 202 Westlake project.
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h17/seasun_01/IMAG0737.jpg

You can also see a portion of the new Athletic Supply Building facade in the picture. They just took the wrapping down.
Ben

Does anyone have the designs for UW Med Phase 3? Just curious.

Does anyone have the designs for UW Med Phase 3? Just curious.

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3011312AgendaID3012.pdf

I love the design of phase 3.1 and 3.2. I'm just really anxious to see what 3.3 looks like! I hope it's taller than the rest and as angular as 3.1 and 3.2.

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3011312AgendaID3012.pdf
Thank you!!

I love the design of phase 3.1 and 3.2. I'm just really anxious to see what 3.3 looks like! I hope it's taller than the rest and as angular as 3.1 and 3.2.

Same. Do you know where (what lot) that phase will be on?

Same. Do you know where (what lot) that phase will be on?
Those all will share the same block. An existing building will be torn down for Phase 3.3 - probably after Mercer is widened in a few years. If you open the EDG, you'll see that a triangle of the block (Dexter/Mercer) will be removed for the new Mercer lanes coming out from under Aurora.

Yah the plans posted above show the footprint of 3.3 but no profiles.

The former Athletic Supply building is in the midst of a 4 million dollar renovation. Its supposed to be done by summer.

Ben
Whoa! Drove by this today and looks like a major transformation! Working on fixing up the sidewalks this weekend, but very nice 'clean up' the this building.

Also nice to see some work being done next door at the 202 Westlake project. Seemed after demolition, things sat for a while. May have been the holidays though.

Demolition is often timed earlier, to accommodate for whatever hurdles come up. That allows construction to start with more of a blank slate.

Westlake will be a good street when a few holes get filled. It's already pretty cohesive.

It's amazing how different this area is now from when I was a kid. It's crazy how quickly a real neighborhood popped up!

Whoa! Drove by this today and looks like a major transformation! Working on fixing up the sidewalks this weekend, but very nice 'clean up' the this building.


I saw the interior of the remodeled Athletic Supply building and unfortunately it's very dark - only a narrow set of windows on the skinny ends of the building. I guess the old walls don't have the structural strength to add windows? It might look better when they have finished it I guess, but I'm not really sure why they saved the building - when you compare it to the new green building behind it or the plans for the new one just south on Westlake, it's not going to be A or even B grade space.

Not much opportunity to add windows. 202 Westlake will butt up against this building up 4+ floors. The otherside faces a surface lot that is very ripe for development - likely with some height as well. That leaves front and back only.

Techies are ok with limited windows. I'm pretty sure that is who they may be catering to.

I agree. It's possible to have great space without nearby windows.

That's not just the vampire speaking. The world is full of outstanding office space that's 50 feet or even 150 feet from the nearest window. An example is Starbucks Center. Very nice offices in a building that's might be 410x350' in plan, or thereabouts.

Anyone know the parcel that is being referred to here?

http://www.djc.com/news/re/12036789.html?cgi=yes

Equity pays $12M for Lake Union site
By JOURNAL STAFF
SEATTLE — Chicago-based Equity Residential recently paid $12.15 million for a half block in Seattle's South Lake Union neighborhood where it plans a 275-unit housing development.

The largest publicly traded apartment owner in the country bought most of the site from Seattle developer Touchstone Corp., which had hired brokers Jim Klinger and Ross Klinger of Kidder Mathews to market it.

The property is on Minor Avenue North between John and Thomas streets. Equity proposes a 5-story building there, with apartments above 6,000 square feet of retail and 280 parking stalls.

Anyone know the parcel that is being referred to here?

...

The property is on Minor Avenue North between John and Thomas streets. Equity proposes a 5-story building there, with apartments above 6,000 square feet of retail and 280 parking stalls.

Not to be a smart-ass, but isn't the answer in the article you quoted? It's on Minor, between John and Thomas. I think that's the parking lot behind the old Cascade Natural Gas building, but I'm not 100% sure.

Not to be a smart-ass, but isn't the answer in the article you quoted? It's on Minor, between John and Thomas. I think that's the parking lot behind the old Cascade Natural Gas building, but I'm not 100% sure.

Us non subscribers can only see the little blerb which doesn't include a location. Is that mentioned in the pay version?

edit: and if thats where it is, then this is the project it is referring to:
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3012798AgendaID3430.pdf

Us non subscribers can only see the little blerb which doesn't include a location. Is that mentioned in the pay version?

edit: and if thats where it is, then this is the project it is referring to:
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3012798AgendaID3430.pdf

What are those? Rowhouses? If so, that's fantastic!

Us non subscribers can only see the little blerb which doesn't include a location. Is that mentioned in the pay version?

edit: and if thats where it is, then this is the project it is referring to:
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3012798AgendaID3430.pdf

The street address wasn't included in the pay article. That's why I asked if there was anyone who knew more about this.

Thanks for the link.

Rumor is that 801 Dexter is to start this summer:

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3012351AgendaID3361.pdf

Anything to confirm? This is a LOT of units!!! This would give Holland 3 consecutive blocks of apartment project along Dexter.

Rumor is that 801 Dexter is to start this summer:

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3012351AgendaID3361.pdf

Anything to confirm? This is a LOT of units!!! This would give Holland 3 consecutive blocks of apartment project along Dexter.

http://www.djc.com/news/re/12037032.html

Holland expands its 'collection' of apartments on Dexter Avenue
By LYNN PORTER
Journal Staff Reporter
Holland Development plans to start construction in June on a six-story, 285-unit apartment building at 801 Dexter Ave. N. in the South Lake Union neighborhood.

This is the third apartment complex the developer is building along that stretch of Dexter. The other two are under way next door at 717 and 901 Dexter, with 100 and 284 units respectively.

Tom Parsons is COO of Holland Development, a subsidiary of Vancouver-based Holland Partners. He said the apartment “collection” is needed because of the number of workers in the area. Parsons has estimated there is 2 or 3 million square feet of office space in the Dexter Avenue North corridor and nearby Fremont.

“It's just a great opportunity to create a critical mass of residential,” said Parsons. “When you build one building it's a building; when you build (three) it's a community.”

Weber Thompson is the architect for 801 Dexter, and Holland Construction will build it.

The complex will be G-shaped to maximize the site's buildable area, said Parsons. Besides the apartments, it will have eight live-work units, 4,400 square feet of retail space and 232 parking stalls.

Parsons said Holland has the site under contract. Part is owned by a private partnership and part by a life sciences developer, Alexandria Real Estate Equities.

Holland is tentatively scheduled to go before the design review board at 6:30 p.m. March 7. The meeting is at Queen Anne Community Center, 1901 First Ave. W.

The firm also has filed plans to build a 300-unit apartment complex at 1319 Dexter Ave. N., and a 142-unit apartment building at 1201 Mercer St., both in South Lake Union.

Developers have been racing to construct apartments in and around that area, driven by the growth of Amazon.com, the new Bill & Melinda Foundation headquarters, and nearby life sciences organizations.

Holland has been busy elsewhere in the city too, with construction of a 17-story apartment tower at 1200 Madison St. on First Hill.

Architecture firm CollinsWoerman did some entitlement work for Alexandria Real Estate Equities on the 801 Dexter site.

A two-story warehouse there will be demolished for the Holland development, according to city records.

Korry Electronics Co. previously occupied the site at 801 Dexter.

Thank you for the post! I'm VERY curious about the 1319 Dexter project. I haven't seen any activity on this for some time. If anyone has anything on design plans within the last year or so, I'd appreciate a post.

Interesting project for cleaning up polluted stormwater:

http://www.discoverslu.com/features/swale-on-yale-puts-a-stylish-spin-on-cleanup/

Thanks for posting!

The Swale on Yale will be surrounding the 420 Pontius project:
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3011606AgendaID3184.pdf

Mostly apartments with a bunch of townhouse units. The old laundry building will be all retail.

The Swale on Yale will be surrounding the 420 Pontius project:
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3011606AgendaID3184.pdf

Mostly apartments with a bunch of townhouse units. The old laundry building will be all retail.

That's a really nice development! It looks compact and pedestrian-oriented, and it has a lovely kind of stone-steel-wood colour scheme with pleasant landscaping. My favourite part is that it will include townhouses right on the street. YES.

http://www.djc.com/stories/images/20120127/SkanskaMap_big.jpg

DJC says Skanska plans to start this project next year. Have we seen any plans or specifics yet?

Yes. A rather uninteresting companion to the biotech building on the corner of Fairview and Mercer - if I'm not mistaken. I may be off a block:

http://www.cbre.com/NR/rdonlyres/4B0ABFB4-47F9-4E7F-B154-4572CF18D9CB/887917/FairviewResearchCenterIIBioMed4pgs.pdf

Yah that's a block too far north. Maybe we haven't seen any kind of plans for this one yet. Thanks anyways

Yah that's a block too far north. Maybe we haven't seen any kind of plans for this one yet. Thanks anyways

No land use bulletins or design review docs that I can find.

Yah me neither but some of you seem to be better at digging stuff up so I thought I'd ask. Thanks

Amazon really needs to just build a signature skyscraper!

</random comment>

In that map on the last page there's a mistake, Vulcan doesn't own the entirety of those two blocks.

Amazon really needs to just build a signature skyscraper!

</random comment>
Like Microsoft?

Some companies, that's just not their thing.

http://www.djc.com/stories/images/20120127/SkanskaMap_big.jpg

DJC says Skanska plans to start this project next year. Have we seen any plans or specifics yet?
Mystery solved - and a little more height! Thank you Seattle Times:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2017355997_skanska28.html

Thanks!

Wow! That's great! 12 stories at 160' would be awesome! I hope the new zoning goes through while the neighborhood is still hot for developers.

Like Microsoft?

Some companies, that's just not their thing.

Amazon clearly has a different strategy than MS, locating in a city. I think that's a winning strategy - it's more expensive, but gives you much greater access to synergistic markets, allows higher density for easier transport within the company*, plus is an area that more people want to work. A skyscraper would fit well into Amazon's strategy to date.

* I've only been to the current MS campus once, but it was a total pain to get between the 3 meeting rooms we visited - I recall this requiring shuttle buses and cars. Compare this to walking down the block at SLU, or riding an elevator.

If a typical professional or tech firm's average employee makes $80,000 and costs tens of thousands more for benefits etc., it's not necessarily a big deal to pay $7,000 per person for rent vs, $5,000.

And I agree about your points, other Matt. Companies and organizations have been moving to Greater Downtown in droves, or expanding in place, and they often say specifically why. Employee recruitment/retention is a huge factor, with transit often named. Proximity to hotels, restaurants, collaborating firms, etc., are all factors.

If the rumors about them buying 2 of the Clise blocks is true then skyscrapers are definitely in their future. The Clises have been so clear that they'll only sell to people who will build out to the maximum allowed on their land.

Is there room in Seattle itself for another major company (like Google or Microsoft, for instance) to base its headquarters?

Is there room in Seattle itself for another major company (like Google or Microsoft, for instance) to base its headquarters?
There's *always* more room to squeeze someone in.

There's a lot more room.

I look forward to more local companies making it "big" over the next few years - we have lots of up and coming in the technology/software design groups. The amount of jobs out there for IT work is amazing.

Is there room in Seattle itself for another major company (like Google or Microsoft, for instance) to base its headquarters?

^^The answer to your question is less interesting than the reason(s) that prompted the question.

Why do you ask if there is room? I do not think I have ever heard of a city too small to have another headquarters.

^^The answer to your question is less interesting than the reason(s) that prompted the question.

Why do you ask if there is room? I do not think I have ever heard of a city too small to have another headquarters.

I meant in terms of underdeveloped areas like South Lake Union (prior to the coming of Amazon). Let's suppose Microsoft decides to relocate its headquarters and campus into Seattle -where can it go? Can South Lake Union house both Amazon and Microsoft? Or how about Apple?

I'm just curious, that's all.

I meant in terms of underdeveloped areas like South Lake Union (prior to the coming of Amazon). Let's suppose Microsoft decides to relocate its headquarters and campus into Seattle -where can it go? Can South Lake Union house both Amazon and Microsoft? Or how about Apple?

I'm just curious, that's all.

There's room for headquarters/campuses if companies are building vertically... the on-hold 5th & Marion/5th & Madison, Clise property towers, and development near the stadiums and I-90 ramp come to mind. Otherwise they would be pushing out existing occupants. I guess they could take space by buying it up and forcing existing occupants to move.

OK, a shout to those in the know.

I'm tracking a project that went before Design Review last September. A response to changes was made and reviewed again in November. Coming up again before design review March 7th. Is this for a 2nd round of addressing concerns - generally speaking? Or would more about the project need to be known? Developer has announced that they plan to start construction this June which makes me think they have a satisfactory plan.

This is on the 801 Dexter apartment project. Just curious.

I'm not an expert. But what you describe sounds pretty common. It's kind of a negotiation process as the project team tries to marry their own goals with the DRB's preferences, and meanwhile design is progressing...

Amazon really needs to just build a signature skyscraper!

</random comment>

Zoning...hardly means a skyscraper at SLU.

I'm not an expert. But what you describe sounds pretty common. It's kind of a negotiation process as the project team tries to marry their own goals with the DRB's preferences, and meanwhile design is progressing...
Just all a little odd.

Europa Motors (or similar named) just moved into the space at 801 Dexter and moving from 717 Dexter to make way for THAT apartment building. I guess it looks temporary as far as a set up at 801, but strange that they would do so knowing that in 6 months or so, they would be moving yet again.

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3007906AgendaID3257.pdf

Is this the right one?
Drove by this site today. Interior demolition appears underway and fences are going up.

Oooh, that's great news. I like the new SLU core but it needs more housing mixed in. Hope it's starting.

Oooh, that's great news. I like the new SLU core but it needs more housing mixed in. Hope it's starting.

Not too familiar with all the construction related permits, but best I can tell, they got their Demolition permit on the 6th. So thats at least going forward. Dunno bout the construction permit tho?

Land use: http://web1.seattle.gov/DPD/permitstatus/Project.aspx?id=3007906
Construction: http://web1.seattle.gov/DPD/permitstatus/Project.aspx?id=6286283 (been accepted?)
Demo: http://web1.seattle.gov/DPD/permitstatus/Project.aspx?id=6292268

Design review doc show a 7 story building. Limit for wood frame is 5 floors, yes? are they doing 5 on 2, or is this actually going to be reinforced concrete?

Permits are usually phased. Demo is sometimes done early so it's not a variable when construction wants to start, but it's still usually attached loosely to the overall schedule. Next they might get an excavation and shoring permit. That lets them finish the building design a little later and permit that separately.

Permits are usually phased. Demo is sometimes done early so it's not a variable when construction wants to start, but it's still usually attached loosely to the overall schedule. Next they might get an excavation and shoring permit. That lets them finish the building design a little later and permit that separately.

Obviously development is determined by who owns what but I have to admit I would have expected the lots north of the park to get redeveloped first before this site. They seem so much more potentially desirable.

Ben

Obviously development is determined by who owns what but I have to admit I would have expected the lots north of the park to get redeveloped first before this site. They seem so much more potentially desirable.

Ben
My belief is a wait-and-see mode anticipating changes in height and zoning. There may be a lot of behind the scenes happenings we are unaware of. I'm sure there will be something dramatic on the horizon though. Just one chance to get it right!

^^ What CityView Jim said.

Dexter Updates: 717 Dexter has a tower crane stump in place. 901 Dexter framing started yesterday. This project is moving along quickly. Move-ins are scheduled to start in October. Just amazing.

Looking for more news on 801 Dexter. Last I heard was that construction (assumably demolition of existing) will start in June. Anyone have anything more current?

Dexter Updates: 717 Dexter has a tower crane stump in place. 901 Dexter framing started yesterday. This project is moving along quickly. Move-ins are scheduled to start in October. Just amazing.

Looking for more news on 801 Dexter. Last I heard was that construction (assumably demolition of existing) will start in June. Anyone have anything more current?

Nope. Its due for recommendation design review in March, but no docs up yet.

Fence going up at 420 Pontius Ave N.

Dexter Updates: 717 Dexter has a tower crane stump in place. 901 Dexter framing started yesterday. This project is moving along quickly. Move-ins are scheduled to start in October. Just amazing.

Looking for more news on 801 Dexter. Last I heard was that construction (assumably demolition of existing) will start in June. Anyone have anything more current?

I've got a DJC article from Ocotber 2011 that talks about a project at 1319 Dexter. The text is pasted below:

300 apartments on Dexter for Holland

By LYNN PORTER
Journal Staff Reporter

Holland Partners is staking out what would be its fourth apartment project along Dexter Avenue North in South Lake Union. This time it's a seven-story, 300-unit complex.

Holland has been busy in Seattle. Besides its Dexter Avenue projects, it has under construction a 237-unit apartment complex on Seattle's First Hill. The 17-story project at 1200 Madison St. is the first new high-rise apartment building on First Hill in about 30 years.

Parsons said Dexter is a major bus and bicycle corridor with retail along it, and there is "2 or 3 million" square feet of office space in the Dexter Avenue North cooridor and nearby Fremont. "You're putting housing right in the middle of a major employment center," Parsons said. "It seems like a good idea."

Seattle apartment market analyst Mike Scott said Dexter Avenue North straddles two neighborhoods: Queen Anne (with a 3.6 percent apartment vacancy) and South Lake Union (with 4.7 percent).

The average rent in South Lake Union is $1,568, up 7.8 percent over a year ago, and in Queen Anne it is $1,166, a 2.8 percent increase, according to Scott, a principal with Dupre + Scott.

South Lake Union has the Amazon.com campus and lots of growth, and nearby is the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation headquarters, which is "all positive" for the apartment sector, he said.

"I think there is a reasonable expectation that growth will continue in that area, so Dexter is pretty well poised for that market," Scott said.

The firm filed plans with the city of Seattle for the project at 1319 Dexter Ave. N. About 3,000 square feet of retail space and 215 parking stalls are included.

Tom Parsons, COO with Holland's development division, said the firm is in preliminary due diligence on the site, which is owned by a limited liability company with Russell W. Keyes as manager.

"We don't know how feasible it is and the process we have to go through takes quite a bit of time," he said.

The Vancouver-based developer likes Dexter Avenue North. It has under construction 284 apartment units at 901 Dexter Ave. N. and plans to start building another 101 units at 717 Dexter Ave. N. this week. Holland and Opus Northwest also developed and then sold in 2004 the 201-unit Dexter Apartments, also on that street.

Crane went up today on 717 Dexter Ave. N

Upcoming final design review revision for 801 Dexter Ave. N. Wow! What an improvement!!! This will be one of the nicest projects on Dexter. They've totally redone this project from a boring overly monotonous full-block project to a much broken up almost village-like design. Color, variation, scale all works!!

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3012351AgendaID3479.pdf

Upcoming final design review revision for 801 Dexter Ave. N. Wow! What an improvement!!! This will be one of the nicest projects on Dexter. They've totally redone this project from a boring overly monotonous full-block project to a much broken up almost village-like design. Color, variation, scale all works!!

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3012351AgendaID3479.pdf

Earlier today it linked to the 3rd ave W project. I was a little disappointed.

Opinions on the technicolor palate?

Upcoming final design review revision for 801 Dexter Ave. N. Wow! What an improvement!!! This will be one of the nicest projects on Dexter. They've totally redone this project from a boring overly monotonous full-block project to a much broken up almost village-like design. Color, variation, scale all works!!

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3012351AgendaID3479.pdf

Brace yourself for all the color-phobes whining about how colorful this project is.

As if Seattle needs another beige or blue glass building........

1201 Mercer is up too:
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3012808AgendaID3480.pdf

Edit:
I'm liking that both projects are light on the retail, and going with townhouse units.

I don't mind color. I think in this case it will look dated almost immediately but then again Weber Thompson are hardly known for their timeless designs.

I think it's fine overall. Nothing really exciting but not bad either.

Its good to take in all three neighboring projects as a context. They all work well together and it tones down the overall 'colorfulness' of 801 specific.

I do wish they would have gotten rid of the power/telephone poles on Valley (included in all renderings).

1201 Mercer is a pretty decent design; I usually like Ankrom Moisan's work. As for 801 Dexter... holly fucking Easter Egg hunt.

Brace yourself for all the color-phobes whining about how colorful this project is.

As if Seattle needs another beige or blue glass building........
I won't even need an egg timer.

The color palate for 801 Dexter:
'Overjoy' (yellow)
'Tansy Green'
'Peacock Plume' (teal)
'Porpoise' (brownish-grey)
'Salute' (burgundy/red)
'Snowbound' (White)
'Leather Bound' (brown)

I like both projects. I love how colorful 801 Dexter project is. Hope we will see more of it.

Fortunately or Unfortunately (depending on your feelings on the matter), unless they are hell bent on looking like a meditteranian cliff town, I think the color palate will get softened a bit. Just search thru the reviews for 523 Broadway:
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/Planning/Design_Review_Program/Project_Reviews/Reports/default.asp

to see how the coloring for that building changed.

Fortunately or Unfortunately (depending on your feelings on the matter), unless they are hell bent on looking like a meditteranian cliff town, I think the color palate will get softened a bit. Just search thru the reviews for 523 Broadway:
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/Planning/Design_Review_Program/Project_Reviews/Reports/default.asp

to see how the coloring for that building changed.
I don't think that was a final design on that project whereas 801 Dexter is supposed to start demolition in June.

But also, color in renderings usually looks bolder than the reality of it all.

Buildings with similar color schemes often look good up close, but don't hold up at a distance. I also think it runs the risk of looking dated in a couple decades. Definitely not a timeless style, but hey...it's a 6 storey apartment block.

Vulcan starts Stack House in Cascade neighborhood
By JOURNAL STAFF
Vulcan Real Estate has started construction on Stack House, a 278-unit apartment and office development in Seattle's Cascade neighborhood. Demolition crews are clearing part of the site this week and will focus next on remediation.

http://www.djc.com/stories/images/20120229/StackHouseAerial_big.jpg

This is exciting - one of my favorite projects in the city! I noticed some activity from I-5 a couple days ago but forgot to ask.

I went by there on President's Day and noticed interior demolition in progress on the building on the NW corner of the lot (I had seen the fence going up the previous week and decided to check to see if there was any other signs that this project might be starting).

I don't know what day is President's Day, because I work for a construction firm, but I walked by this weekend and they were in major demo on the southwest building.

PS, great reminder to do laundry.

I worked down in SLU up until about a year ago and it's amazing how much has been built since I left. I can't wait to see what they do with Valley Street after the Mercer project is complete.

They need some more housing between Dexter and Fairview though. That area is the heart of SLU and it turns into a ghost town after 6pm.

That's getting later and later. With office workers have come a lot more lunch places etc., some of which open at night.

The Terry & John apartment, if really starting, is a step in the right direction as well. So is the UW, where a lot of people keep odd hours.

But I'd love to see more housing too.

The central SLU area (near Westlake) would be fantastic for another hotel. There's a good half mile between the Pan Pacific and the two Marriotts n-s. There's very little between Denny and Valley...the Holiday Inns, the two Hutch housing/hotels....

The proposed 400' residential towers along Mercer as part of the rezone proposal would certainly help with that.

Is there a proposal for that nasty warehouse across the street from this? Their needs to be residential around that park, not underutilized crap. Does Vulcan own that building?

Is there a proposal for that nasty warehouse across the street from this? Their needs to be residential around that park, not underutilized crap. Does Vulcan own that building?

You mean the one with all the curved rooflines? I totally agree. There does need to be something done with that one. Its such an eyesore even from I-5, let alone at street level or from any of the neighboring buildings. Its like all the progress and development in SLU comes to a screeching halt at that block.

Not that we've really been discussing this one, but check out the beautiful floors on the newly refurbished Armory Building (soon to be MOHAI come 11/2012):

http://oxblue.com/open/sellen/mohai

^^Walked by it on Sunday. Looking nice from the outside.

Thanks for posting CV Jim! I cant wait for this to open!

Is there a proposal for that nasty warehouse across the street from this? Their needs to be residential around that park, not underutilized crap. Does Vulcan own that building?

If youre talking about the same block I was talking about then you might be happy to know this:

DJC:

"The other two swales will be built along with future development on a block Vulcan controls just south of Stack House."

So the nasty rolling roofline warehouse will be torn down and something respectable will be put in its place!

That's exactly the one I'm talking about, good.

ok cool, me too.

I did a walking tour past this site on Sunday and saw there is also a DPD notice for a block on Republican between Pontius and Yale.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7198/6787704360_5f0c4b8b34_z.jpg

If both of these projects come to fruition, that could really jump start the Cascade neighborhood, as there are many other parcels that are screaming for development.

I did a walking tour past this site on Sunday and saw there is also a DPD notice for a block on Republican between Pontius and Yale.

If both of these projects come to fruition, that could really jump start the Cascade neighborhood, as there are many other parcels that are screaming for development.

That would be this guy:
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3012256AgendaID3440.pdf

Edit: Actually looking through, that one is going to be quite hideous....

Sum of proposals for SLU:

624 Yale: Office building in the corner of the I-5 Off ramp and Mercer
1260 Republican: Apartment building mentioned above
1201 Mercer:
500 Fairview: Offices
307 Fairview: Offices whole block of offices with some facadism
221 Minor: Big apartment block north of the Mirabella
219 Pontius: Low income housing
Laundry Block
Apartments behind Rollins Flats
202 Westlake: offices
UW Medicine Phase 3
The block where the bio-diesel station is: Offices
701 Dexter
801 Dexter
A block of 3 on westlake across from the AGC building...

I like it. Has some interesting shapes to it.

Small tower crane is almost operational on Pontius. Looks like almost no parking since footings have already begun and there's no shoring/excavation. I assume this is housing. BN Builders is the contractor.
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h17/seasun_01/IMAG0925.jpg

Small tower crane is almost operational on Pontius. Looks like almost no parking since footings have already begun and there's no shoring/excavation. I assume this is housing. BN Builders is the contractor.

Forgot about that one, will add it to the list:

219 Pontius
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3011476AgendaID3201.pdf

It's low income housing, so I think that's how it gets away with having next to no parking.

Thanks for the link. Such a flurry around SLU that it's crazy to walk around here at lunch time. Yesterday I walked around the Stack block - that's a huge site!

That would be this guy:
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3012256AgendaID3440.pdf

Edit: Actually looking through, that one is going to be quite hideous....

Horrible. I expect AMLI to demand soulless crap, but I'm a bit surprised GGLO has produced this Disney tumor.

I don't agree. Its much better than that other turd across the street that looks like suburban mini-storage that they built last time

Horrible. I expect AMLI to demand soulless crap, but I'm a bit surprised GGLO has produced this Disney tumor.

I actually kind of like it. It looks like several small European-looking buildings packed in with each other. It's cosy-feeling.

That's the problem - we're not in Europe and we also shouldn't copy and paste various architectural styles within one complex.

Only theme parks can get away with that.

The white, modern part looks decent... why not just stick with that ?

I'm usually one crying foul when it seems that a project is "trying to hard" to be hip or have style. This could be that kind of project for some people. I don't yet know what they've done on this design, but whatever's going on is keeping it from tipping over the edge - for me. I could live with it at this height, but probably not as a 15 floor building.

I'm usually one crying foul when it seems that a project is "trying to hard" to be hip or have style. This could be that kind of project for some people. I don't yet know what they've done on this design, but whatever's going on is keeping it from tipping over the edge - for me. I could live with it at this height, but probably not as a 15 floor building.

Well said!

March 6, 2012

Greystar plans housing for South Lake Union site
Greystar Development of South Carolina wants to build 290 housing units near Amazon.com's headquarters.
By LYNN PORTER
Journal Staff Reporter

Greystar Development of South Carolina has filed plans with the city of Seattle to build a seven-story, 290-unit housing project on a half-block across from Amazon.com's headquarters.

That's the problem - we're not in Europe and we also shouldn't copy and paste various architectural styles within one complex.

Only theme parks can get away with that.

The white, modern part looks decent... why not just stick with that ?

Mm, that's kind of false-dichotomy thinking. Just because something is "European" (or whatever) doesn't mean it should stay in Europe or that other places shouldn't emulate it--just as skyscrapers aren't only a "Manhattan" thing. In other words, there's nothing wrong with something being like something else.

What's wrong with copying and pasting different architectural styles within one complex? It breaks up the monotony and makes the structure look less monolithic.

You are confusing skyscrapers (or height) with architectural styles. A skyscraper can be built in art-deco, international, postmodernist styles etc.

Our cities would look all alike if people thought copying and pasting was good enough. There are other ways to make buildings look less monolithic, but that of course requires creativity. That notion that we have to break up our buildings by 10 different colors, 10 different material types or in this case, mashing together two completely different styles, is just wrong.

I guess a lot of folks have nothing against "fake" buildings - buildings that pretend to be something they are not. There are plenty of European themed towns in China and there's a reason why they use the word "theme" (as in theme park) to describe them and it's the same reason the likes of Excalibur, Caesars Palace, The Venetian, New York New York and others in Las Vegas are considered kitschy.

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against emulating art (in architecture as well), but there is a subtle way of doing that, and then there's the "ctrl-c, ctrl-v" way.

Greystar Development of South Carolina has filed plans with the city of Seattle to build a seven-story, 290-unit housing project on a half-block across from Amazon.com's headquarters.

This is great news, assuming it goes forward -- there hasn't been much housing west of Fairview to date. 290 units isn't going to keep all the Amazon-oriented restaurants open at night, but it should help.

Perfect site for housing since the block to the south is supposed to be office towers.

If this trend continues, there might be no land left for residential 'scrapers in SLU (once the rezone finally happens). I'm joking of course, but I would love to see some height at the same time.

March 6, 2012

Greystar plans housing for South Lake Union site
Greystar Development of South Carolina wants to build 290 housing units near Amazon.com's headquarters.
By LYNN PORTER
Journal Staff Reporter

Greystar Development of South Carolina has filed plans with the city of Seattle to build a seven-story, 290-unit housing project on a half-block across from Amazon.com's headquarters.
Sorry. Where exactly is this located?

Found a more complete article here:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2017673791_greystar06.html

Yah the DJC article had a map but it wasn't possible to link to it. Sorry.

For those who don't want to click through his link:

"The project would fill a half block on the east side of Boren between Harrison and Republican streets. Two older buildings and a parking lot now occupy the site."

I think that's the block with that goofy Bad Monkey Bistro.

I think that's the block with that goofy Bad Monkey Bistro.
No. I think that's one block up. some Thai restaurant moved in there.

The block described is the one with Bad Monkey Bistro. The article mentions 2 old buildings but there are 3 on that half block if I believe google maps view.

I wonder why Thai Curry Simple would move in there (Bad Monkey Bistro) if their future is doomed.

OK. Saw the build out on Thai Curry. Looks like someone had a $1000 budget to renovate a lodge-hall. This is a glorified food-truck and screams temporary!!

Yah the DJC article had a map but it wasn't possible to link to it. Sorry.

For those who don't want to click through his link:

"The project would fill a half block on the east side of Boren between Harrison and Republican streets. Two older buildings and a parking lot now occupy the site."


How is there any confusion as to the location when the above quote says it in 100% crystal clear terms? "half block on the east side of Boren between Harrison and Republican streets" isn't code...

How is there any confusion as to the location when the above quote says it in 100% crystal clear terms? "half block on the east side of Boren between Harrison and Republican streets" isn't code...

I think the question was what currently occupies the site, not where it was.

Great idea for a business - and right on the Fremont-Downtown bike route!

http://thesouthlake.com/2012/03/13/wrench-bicycle-workshop-opens-on-dexter-avenue

Nice little write up on Vulcan's efforts to preserve the unique elements of the Supply Laundry Block:

http://www.discoverslu.com/features/whats-old-is-new-again/

Who is the architect for the Stack House/ Supply Laundry project in Cascade. I can't find it listed. It looks hot!