Ok, First Hill has got to represent too.

Polyclinic parking garage - 2/19/2012
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7046/6773464064_71a06654e3_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27305863@N07/6773464064/)
[/url] by mSeattle (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27305863@N07/6773464064/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7055/6773464048_fdb5f7b809_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27305863@N07/6773464048/)
by mSeattle (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27305863@N07/6773464048/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7048/6919580617_d075ebe496_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27305863@N07/6919580617/)
by mSeattle (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27305863@N07/6919580617/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7067/6773464220_966f567248_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27305863@N07/6773464220/)
by mSeattle (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27305863@N07/6773464220/), on Flickr

Coppins Well? - 2/19/2012
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7060/6781073176_514dcf36e1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27305863@N07/6781073176/)
by mSeattle (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27305863@N07/6781073176/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7181/6927191345_83444aba2e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27305863@N07/6927191345/)
by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/27305863@N07/]mSeattle (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27305863@N07/6927191345/), on Flickr

DJC:


Swedish pension adviser Alecta continues to assemble land on First Hill, most recently paying $2.5 million, or $347 a square foot, for a small surface parking lot at 812 Eighth Ave.


They had already purchased Paul Thiry's old building on the corner but now have added the neighboring parking lot. This is right next to Skyline. Hopefully they have something similar in mind! And then just a few blocks over is 8th and Seneca. First Hill is coming alive!

They had already purchased Paul Thiry's old building on the corner but now have added the neighboring parking lot. This is right next to Skyline. Hopefully they have something similar in mind! And then just a few blocks over is 8th and Seneca. First Hill is coming alive!
This is the neighborhood I live in. I love it. I've just always been shocked at why it hasn't grown more, it is a perfect location, just outside of downtown, right next to Capitol Hill, incredibly easy access to the major highways, I hope with the Street Car coming, it continues to brighten.

March 23, 2012

Alecta plans 25-story First Hill apartments
http://www.djc.com/news/re/12039184.html?cgi=yes
By JON SILVER
Journal Staff Reporter

Alecta Real Estate Investment LLC has filed plans with the city of Seattle to build a 25-story apartment tower at 504 Terry Ave. on First Hill.

Photo courtesy DJC:
http://www.djc.com/stories/images/20120323/AlectaMap1_web.jpg

I think this is the site that a tower was being planned for before the recession, replacing a lowrise apartment building, the one on the far right:

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2624/4062263632_5e828176ba_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27305863@N07/4062263632/)
[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/27305863@N07/]mSeattle (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27305863@N07/4062263632/), on Flickr

Found another picture I took of the area.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2502/3839654916_bbafa4c2ae_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27305863@N07/3839654916/)
[/url] by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/27305863@N07/]mSeattle (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27305863@N07/3839654916/), on Flickr

Id rather they built on the plot they most recently purchased but great to see them moving forward from property owners to builders! Hopefully they do that for all the land they've acquired on First Hill!

25 stories not bad at all

http://www.djc.com/news/re/12039193.html

And another one at Boylston and Seneca

That's awesome! STILL not the lot they own that I wish they'd build on but it's great to see they're really serious about building and not just buying land!

Is this where the old skygarden proposal was planned?

That's awesome! STILL not the lot they own that I wish they'd build on but it's great to see they're really serious about building and not just buying land!

Is this where the old skygarden proposal was planned?

Likely is. The only other spot to build is the 1st Baptist Church parking lot.

http://www.lostinseattle.com/cgi-bin/servepng.cgi?snum=5363000&r=detail&ya=16.5&xa=17&pix=700&cm=day&hm=hno&lm=lyes&rz=-X3A0h0oejvwX

Apartment towers of 23 and 25 stories slated for First Hill
Two apartment towers have been proposed on Seattle's First Hill by a Swedish pension fund that bought the properties after earlier would-be developers went bust.

By Eric Pryne
Seattle Times business reporter


A Swedish pension fund that started buying property on Seattle's First Hill more than a year ago has proposed two apartment towers in the neighborhood.
A subsidiary of the pension fund, Alecta, has filed preliminary paperwork with city planners for a 25-story building at Terry Avenue and Jefferson Street and a 23-story tower at Boylston Avenue and Seneca Street.
Together, the projects would have 536 apartments.
Alecta has retained longtime Seattle developer William Justen to oversee the projects. Construction could start next year, Justen said Friday, but much depends on the market and the pace of permitting.
The projects are Alecta's first in the Seattle area, he added.
The city's East Design Review Board, an advisory body, is tentatively scheduled to consider both proposals May 2.
Both sites were previously owned by developers who also planned to build residential high-rises, then lost the properties to foreclosure during the housing crisis.
The Terry Avenue property, now occupied by an older apartment complex and office building, was owned by Michael R. Mastro, who proposed a 350-unit apartment tower there in 2007. Mastro was pushed into bankruptcy in 2009, and lenders foreclosed on the property in 2010.
The Boylston Avenue property, now a parking lot, was to be the site of SkyGarden, a 24-story luxury condo tower. But, while the project had won city approval, developer Barclays North, which later went out of business, couldn't get a construction loan. Its lender foreclosed in 2009.
Alecta acquired both properties in December 2010 for substantially less than Mastro and Barclays had paid a few years earlier.

Really really great news!

Hooray! Let's get the lonely First Hill Plaza (http://www.emporis.com/building/first-hill-plaza-seattle-wa-usa) some friends! :cheers:

One project after another..Seattle is on the comeback baby!

Awesome! Neighborhood after neighborhood is getting taken up in the apartment building craze!

The submitted plans for 504 Terry Ave arent online yet but they still have these old ones from 2008. Its a totally different project now with a totally different development team and new architects BUT its the same height and location so some of the renderings are kind of relevant from that perspective.

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3006703AgendaID2517.pdf


DJC described the new plans as "240-foot-high concrete-frame building with 332 apartments and four levels of underground parking. A street level residential lobby and 4700 sq ft of commercial space are planned, along with a rooftop deck and garden."

Wow, I didn't realize that part of First Hill was zoned that high! That's great.

Agreed! Im so looking forward to the day when I-5 is running THROUGH "downtown" instead of next to it, as in towers on the left AND right! With the Yesler Terrace development and all this First Hill action it really does seem like in the not too distant future that could be a reality!

504 Terry:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7239/7066449509_c69592f6cb_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/68993706@N02/7066449509/)
504 Terry (http://www.flickr.com/photos/68993706@N02/7066449509/) by LCCIII (http://www.flickr.com/people/68993706@N02/), on Flickr

1321 Seneca:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7206/7066475515_ca6b64b5c6_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/68993706@N02/7066475515/)
1321 Seneca (http://www.flickr.com/photos/68993706@N02/7066475515/) by LCCIII (http://www.flickr.com/people/68993706@N02/), on Flickr


http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5195/7066450701_3b37361d58_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/68993706@N02/7066450701/)
1321 Seneca (http://www.flickr.com/photos/68993706@N02/7066450701/) by LCCIII (http://www.flickr.com/people/68993706@N02/), on Flickr


http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5072/7066476597_78c60c475f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/68993706@N02/7066476597/)
1321 Seneca (http://www.flickr.com/photos/68993706@N02/7066476597/) by LCCIII (http://www.flickr.com/people/68993706@N02/), on Flickr

I know those are just massing studies, but could we at least try and make it not look like 1973 redux?

I don't hate them.

Is that housing? Looks like office buildings.

Yah it's housing. Obviously it's just a very early massing study so maybe it will get better through the process.

That's exactly what First Hill needs right now. Residential high-rise replacing surface lots. Not as tall as we'd like, but I'll take it. :)

Like I keep saying: First Hill Plaza is so lonely! Let's build some counterparts for it!

A couple new residential projects. Just preliminary designs for massing at this point:

504 Terry (and Jefferson): http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3012929AgendaID3577.pdf

1321 Seneca (and Boylston): http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3012930AgendaID3578.pdf

Glad those are finally posted online. Those are the two projects we've been talking about for the past 2 pages.

504 Terry's preferred massing looks cool.

504 Terry's preferred massing looks cool.
I like the location of this one too. Not a lot of multi-res (hi rise at least) in this area. Wondering if this project is being boosted by its proximity to a streetcar stop (at Broadway and Boren).

I like how both towers will add some density in First Hill. I hope both tower designs will get better. I am not too crazy about facades.

Seneca and Boylston ground floor shows some retail/live/work units facing Boylston. I think this is a mistake, and they should design good residential only facing Boylston. That is not a retail street, and it doesn't have much potential for it either.

I agree with that.

Madison has potential for retail. Why in the hell would they (zoning) want to detract from that by spreading it around.

Live/work sounds sensible. Basically townhouses on a side street.

I agree with that.

Madison has potential for retail. Why in the hell would they (zoning) want to detract from that by spreading it around.

Live/work sounds sensible. Basically townhouses on a side street.

I knew you'd have my back on that one.

From DJC:

http://www.djc.com/stories/images/20120427/WeberThompson_Alecta1_big.jpg

Isn't it a little too precious? Great if it was 30 stories taller. And in Dubai.

I like that. Are we leaving the slanted roof phase and entering the off-set cube phase? :)

Isn't it a little too precious? Great if it was 30 stories taller. And in Dubai.

No. I love it! Really sets off First Hill Plaza. We need a big variety of high-rises in this neighbourhood.

So I was driving around this part of First Hill yesterday:

http://g.co/maps/mmpte

And I noticed that most of the streets really suck. They're not wide enough to be either arterials or complete streets, and the arterial network is not comprehensive at all. Excessive street parking, narrow streets, lack of signage and signals, un-maintained pavement...

For many of us, seeing First Hill develop into an extension of downtown the way Denny has would be a dream come true, but I can't see that happening unless the street grid is fixed, and I haven't heard any plans. I know SDOT is basically out of money for street projects.

What say the experts?

I agree with that.

Madison has potential for retail. Why in the hell would they (zoning) want to detract from that by spreading it around.

Live/work sounds sensible. Basically townhouses on a side street.

As Mother RuPaul would say, "Can I get an amen up in here?"

So I was driving around this part of First Hill yesterday:

http://g.co/maps/mmpte

And I noticed that most of the streets really suck. They're not wide enough to be either arterials or complete streets, and the arterial network is not comprehensive at all. Excessive street parking, narrow streets, lack of signage and signals, un-maintained pavement...

For many of us, seeing First Hill develop into an extension of downtown the way Denny has would be a dream come true, but I can't see that happening unless the street grid is fixed, and I haven't heard any plans. I know SDOT is basically out of money for street projects.

What say the experts?

Funding and expertise aside, it would be nice to see a high concentration of neighbourhood-oriented retail along a small number of streets. Namely Madison.

So I was driving around this part of First Hill yesterday:

http://g.co/maps/mmpte

And I noticed that most of the streets really suck. They're not wide enough to be either arterials or complete streets, and the arterial network is not comprehensive at all. Excessive street parking, narrow streets, lack of signage and signals, un-maintained pavement...

For many of us, seeing First Hill develop into an extension of downtown the way Denny has would be a dream come true, but I can't see that happening unless the street grid is fixed, and I haven't heard any plans. I know SDOT is basically out of money for street projects.

What say the experts?

I won't claim to be an expert, but small gridded streets seem to be a good thing for a dense city. The neighborhood is already gridded with bus lines, and the tree-lined streets would be great for walking. Storefronts will hopefully spring up as density increases, especially on the new buildings. Sure, trucks will have a hard time with deliveries, but smart companies will just use smaller trucks. If you're talking about commute-time exiting from parking garages... that will sort itself out. It's not like it's easy to exit the city at 5:15pm from a wide street - you just wait at a wide street in line for the freeway. This has translated into a high percentage of Seattle workers taking the bus.

Matt, I'm not talking about cars. Most of these streets are totally unsuitable for buses or trucks. I'd like to see the street-parking GONE, actually. However, a couple of arterials from downtown would need to be extended through to maybe Boren or Broadway.

Check out your map again. Buses run on 9th, Madison, James, Boren, Seneca, and with a bit of a walk you're at the new Broadway streetcar. That's great coverage. Removing street parking is cheap and easy, though I question whether even that's necessary.

That said, to make sure it's fully connected to downtown, I recommend a little gondola from Pioneer Square to Broadway up, say, Cherry, with stops on 3rd and 9th.

Check out your map again. Buses run on 9th, Madison, James, Boren, Seneca, and with a bit of a walk you're at the new Broadway streetcar. That's great coverage. Removing street parking is cheap and easy, though I question whether even that's necessary.

That said, to make sure it's fully connected to downtown, I recommend a little gondola from Pioneer Square to Broadway up, say, Cherry, with stops on 3rd and 9th.

Interesting you should mention that. I always imagined the ideal tram route extending from the downtown waterfront up Madison all the way to the eastern tip of Madison, on Lake Washington. Like the old one. I mean, there are tonnes of hospitals in the First Hill section of that stretch, and it radiates out of downtown, kind of like commuter catchment areas. At any rate, it would also be nice to see one go up First Avenue into Lower Queen Anne, maybe along First and then Queen Anne Ave. with a stop at Seattle Centre along the way.

Though I often disagree with Matt, have to agree here. Seattle's grid is definitely part of its charm, and we shouldn't fool around with it, especially in the neighborhoods. No one ever died of old age (documented anyway) sitting in traffic. The worst ever traffic mess always gets over with; we deal with it if we want to get there, and life goes on.

Exactly!

Few may agree, but traffic is something, for the most part, that we choose to sit in.

Don't like your commute? Move.
Don't like rush hour? Avoid it.
Hate being late? Leave earlier.

Works for some BUT NOT ALL (in caps to ward off my critics!). At this point, I'm blessed to work from home, but used to commute from downtown Seattle to downtown Bellevue. Traffic sucked. But I choose to live in downtown Seattle and sacrificed 90 minutes a day going back and forth.

I factored in about $10k a year to avoid a cross-lake commute when deciding if switching jobs to Seattle was worth it. Haven't worked more than 3 miles from my home since. But I agree, some don't have that option. Most have some form of a choice.

That's great and all, but the point is: if we add thousands of new jobs and residences to First Hill, traffic WILL increase. Traffic WILL delay buses, streetcars, etc. It will make it more difficult to bicycle. Unless we do something about the streets, especially getting rid of street parking.

Matt, the area I'm talking about specifically is the square between I-5, James, Boren, and Madison. The triangle between Spring, Boren, and I-5 is pretty bad too.

If the residents are already working downtown, it'll probably just shorten their commute and improve their average mode choice, not add traffic.

Downtown workers on foot or using transit, old folks, hospitals, and colleges don't create traffic jams. Hospitals and colleges have odd and dispersed hours. Senior housing residents (beyond the most "active" varieties) don't travel much, and their times are dispersed. First Hill will never have the crush loads of the CBD.

Isn't the goal here to bridge the freeway and let the CBD march eastward?

I doubt it. First Hill is tailor-made for housing and big institutions. We don't need more office zones, and it's better to focus them closer to CBD transit, and among other tenants, as many have synergies with each other.

[Doom] You can't build your way out of traffic. You'll just encourage more people to drive, while making the place unpleasant for pedestrians. Extending downtown doesn't mean we have to copy the traffic patterns of the past. Worried about buses, trucks, or bikes? Restrict SOV's on a few streets.

Man I wish they had found a way to get the money together to build First Hill Station... That'll always be a problem area. I was thinking one transit solution for that very-congested section of Cherry would be a Gondola just from City Hall Park (next to the County Courthouse) to the end of Jefferson at 9th. Straight shot, easy with just terminus stations, pretty short but serving very high ridership.

Or the skybridge from the parking garage between 5th and 6th (flat entry from 5th) to the north side of Harborview. That would skip three blocks of steep hill, though it would start pretty high up. It's hard to guess which would cost more to build. Both would involve operation costs, including maintenance even while mine wouldn't need a driver.

[Doom] You can't build your way out of traffic. You'll just encourage more people to drive, while making the place unpleasant for pedestrians. Extending downtown doesn't mean we have to copy the traffic patterns of the past. Worried about buses, trucks, or bikes? Restrict SOV's on a few streets.

I have no problem with restricting SOV access. I still don't think the existing streets are suitable for large trucks or buses, and DEFINITELY not with street parking.

I have no problem with restricting SOV access. I still don't think the existing streets are suitable for large trucks or buses, and DEFINITELY not with street parking.

Again, there are 4 streets in the area you describe that have buses right now. And each of these streets has garbage service. And likely moving trucks (if a moving truck can make it on my street, it can get in here). Sure, it's a bit tough and takes longer. And smart companies will send out smaller trucks. But European cities have dense, prosperous areas with little more than walking paths - we can get by with these comparably wide streets.

And if not, it's just some road paint and street signs.

Man I wish they had found a way to get the money together to build First Hill Station... That'll always be a problem area. I was thinking one transit solution for that very-congested section of Cherry would be a Gondola just from City Hall Park (next to the County Courthouse) to the end of Jefferson at 9th. Straight shot, easy with just terminus stations, pretty short but serving very high ridership.
By First Hill Station, do you mean Link light rail? If so, it wasn't a money issue as much as a geologic issue as I recall.

Yeah for the University Link project. I think the issue was that there was too much risk for it to have a good chance at getting federal funding, so I guess it was partially funding and partially geological.

This pic was posted in the Stranger recently.

http://slog.thestranger.com/files/2007/12/001Escalator.jpeg

What would be some major objections to having an outdoor escalator system conquer First Hill?

That one plus the Hong Kong version are one way, prevailing direction only (in Hong Kong's case), so you're screwed half the time. And of course it takes a hell of a lot of money to run, made appropriate by the astonishing densities up the hill. This being the US with our stupid liability laws, the insurance costs would probably be high too, acceptable for a high-traffic controlled facility, but not around street drunks etc. And our densities are nothing like theirs.

Would it be good? Maybe. It cuts off one side from the other. US safety regs would keep it separate from everything including nothing that would damage a car within three feet of a lane. Not next to a building either, because their access is important even for maintenance. Any utilities under it in parallel would need to be rerouted because access would be tough afterward. So it would be very wide vs. the lack of room available. You'd still need sidewalks obviously.

And of course the development cost. I don't see it being considered.

That escalator looks like it's in the middle of a large development. This maybe could happen like that little one at Swedish, but they turn it off sometimes so is not guaranteed.

Looks too narrow, too. So annoying when people view an escalator (or for that matter, an moving sidewalk) as a 'ride' instead of something to speed your ascent. If that's the case, keep sharp to the right to allow others to pass. Not all do!! Stepping down from my soap box now.

That one plus the Hong Kong version are one way, prevailing direction only (in Hong Kong's case), so you're screwed half the time. And of course it takes a hell of a lot of money to run, made appropriate by the astonishing densities up the hill. This being the US with our stupid liability laws, the insurance costs would probably be high too, acceptable for a high-traffic controlled facility, but not around street drunks etc. And our densities are nothing like theirs.

Would it be good? Maybe. It cuts off one side from the other. US safety regs would keep it separate from everything including nothing that would damage a car within three feet of a lane. Not next to a building either, because their access is important even for maintenance. Any utilities under it in parallel would need to be rerouted because access would be tough afterward. So it would be very wide vs. the lack of room available. You'd still need sidewalks obviously.

And of course the development cost. I don't see it being considered.

Ok, other than those 10 or 12 bad things, this is a good idea then? :lol:

Don't get me wrong...I love the idea and expect to see it in place in a few weeks. But there are some minor hurdles.

What about those inclinators or funicular systems?

Sure, except nobody can get off from start to finish, they have to be completely out of the way, they require a straight incline plane which doesn't really exist to First Hill, etc. *sunshine!*

Snapped some shots on May 5th. Nice work for an underground parking garage.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5239/7155385296_d46c67fc29_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27305863@N07/7155385296/)
[/url] by mSeattle (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27305863@N07/7155385296/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8002/7155385448_9d46f3831f_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27305863@N07/7155385448/)
by mSeattle (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27305863@N07/7155385448/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7229/7155382856_91e786879a_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27305863@N07/7155382856/)
by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/27305863@N07/]mSeattle (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27305863@N07/7155382856/), on Flickr

The western portion of the site is behind shopped for joint development I'm told

That would be nice. Keep adding to our I-5 canyon!

From todays DJC

http://www.djc.com/news/re/12042858.html

July 12, 2012

First Hill church talks with three developers
By LYNN PORTER
Journal Staff Reporter

First Presbyterian Church of Seattle has revived plans for a high-rise commercial and residential project on nearly two blocks it owns on First Hill overlooking downtown, and is interviewing potential development partners.

The property is just east of Interstate 5.

The “south” portion of the site is bounded by Seventh and Eighth avenues and Madison and Spring streets, and is zoned for commercial or residential construction to 160 feet.

The “north” portion is bounded by Seventh and Eighth avenues and Spring and Seneca streets, although Town Hall Seattle takes up one corner and Harbor Urban owns a slice along Seventh. The L-shaped property is approximately three quarters of a block and is now a parking lot. Residential construction up to 300 feet is allowed under certain circumstances.

Church uses are OK on both blocks.

Church officials have had strong interest from developers and are in serious discussions with three, said George Norris, who heads its development team.

Denny Onslow of Harbor Urban said his firm is one of those three developers. His firm is proposing a multifamily mixed-use project on the site, he said.

“Obviously that property is well-positioned,” close to health care facilities, the convention center, downtown and Freeway Park, Onslow said.

Norris said he expects First Presbyterian will choose one partner, although that partner could bring in other developers.

The church is looking at a number of possibilities for the site, he said.

“We definitely want residential (with perhaps senior housing),” he said. “We also want office of one type or another — and maybe a hotel and residential and office.”

More than one building is envisioned for each block.

Norris said the project likely will be built in phases, and completed in four to eight years.

The property sale will fund construction of a new facility for the church and its programs that will be incorporated into the new development — perhaps on both blocks — and be owned by First Presbyterian.

The development partner or partners will pay for and own the rest of the project, Norris said.

The church would like the development to attract people from First Hill and across I-5, with uses such as a coffee shop and day care in its facilities to bring people in, Norris said.

It envisions open space as a connection to Freeway Park and storefronts along Spring Street to make it more active.

But what ultimately gets built, “gets down to the economics — everything gets down to the economics,” Norris said.

Matthew Gardner, a Seattle land use economist, said it is good to have large contiguous sites — “entire blocks are a good thing.”

“It will be interesting to see who steps up, to see who wants to pursue it,” he said. “It will be interesting to see what they believe the highest and best use will be.” Gardner said speculative office development doesn't make sense for the church site because there are other better locations for that downtown.

High-rise condos also wouldn't work because prices are depressed and lenders generally aren't financing them, he said.

Gardner said hotels are a possibility, but other hospitality projects are in the pipeline downtown.

Apartments are also a possibility, he said, but lots of them will come online in 2013 and 2014, “which is likely to test the strength of the downtown apartment market.”

However, given the two years it takes for permitting, he said a developer could avoid that wave of construction.

Gardner said the L-shape of the north site might make development more complex, although it's been done before.

A wave of development started on First Hill before the recession, and more has followed.

“I think ultimately downtown is pretty much built out,” said Gardner. “It's just natural to start thinking about moving across the freeway.”

First Presbyterian has considered redevelopment for more than a decade.

Its property is valuable but the 1960s buildings need upgrades that could cost up to $12 million. Church officials have said the concrete sanctuary's Brutalist architectural style is off-putting.

Like other urban houses of worship, the church's membership is way down. It had 8,000 members in 1940; in 2009, it counted less than 200.

In early 2009 the church was preparing to issue a request for proposals for its site when the economic downturn hit.

In the fall of last year, with an improving economy, the church formed a development team and hired architect GGLO, broker NAI Puget Sound Properties and project manager OAC to help it select a partner.

http://www.djc.com/stories/images/20120712/FirstHill_Aerial_crop_big.jpg

Ouch. $12M in retrofits needed with a membership of 200. No wonder they want to get some money out of the property. This could be a great project if they could find a way to do it. Come back to us, condo and office space markets.

I'm very excited about the First Presbyterian properties. It'll fill in some 'holes' in the streetscape, amdreally helpintegrate First Hill further with downtown. As well, First Presbyterian (as most of our urban churches) also provide some very valuable social services that government can't or won't fund adequately. I truly feel this development will be 'blessed'. Just please, don't let Weber Thompson near it.

"provide some very valuable social services" For all of 200 people on almost 2 blocks of prime city land? That probably show up for less than an hour a week? I'd rather them take up land elsewhere. Town Hall provides a much more valuable social service. Heck, the local 300sf Starbucks probably provides a more valuable service.

"provide some very valuable social services" For all of 200 people on almost 2 blocks of prime city land? That probably show up for less than an hour a week? I'd rather them take up land elsewhere. Town Hall provides a much more valuable social service. Heck, the local 300sf Starbucks probably provides a more valuable service.

They already have land, right where they are. Why should they move?

"High-rise condos also wouldn't work because prices are depressed and lenders generally aren't financing them"

And I guess this will be the case forever, huh? Jeez, can't the people who are supposed to be able to see beyond their noses ever see beyond their noses?

I disagree with Gardner on two points. First, now is a fine time to gear up for a condo, because then it would presell in probably 2014 when the market is probably much better, and open in 2016 or so when the market is better still. Second, it doesn't take two full years to break ground on something.

They already have land, right where they are. Why should they move?

I'm just saying it's a good thing for the city that they're selling their land. If they keep some space for a church - fine. Though if they were economically rational (and who ever is, really), they'd sell or rent out that space too and build a little church in South Seattle where land is cheap.

Man, I hope whatever they decide that they build out to maximum allowed. Such a great opportunity to make I-5 a real canyon between downtown and First Hill!

I'm just saying it's a good thing for the city that they're selling their land. If they keep some space for a church - fine. Though if they were economically rational (and who ever is, really), they'd sell or rent out that space too and build a little church in South Seattle where land is cheap.


Maybe they want to be close to this spot because this is near where their members live?

Sure. Or it's advertising for their church (though that hasn't worked very well, has it?). But I'm trying to think of a large space with a total of only 200 customers that come in (at most) an hour a week that can afford rent downtown. It's possible they're wealthy, live very close, and willing to pay for the convenience. But then why are there nearly 200 parking spaces?

Regarding their members, they may have taken a look at the demogaphics. It's not like new residents on the hill are flocking to Presbyterianism.

Sure. Or it's advertising for their church (though that hasn't worked very well, has it?). But I'm trying to think of a large space with a total of only 200 customers that come in (at most) an hour a week that can afford rent downtown. It's possible they're wealthy, live very close, and willing to pay for the convenience. But then why are there nearly 200 parking spaces?

Article indicates they used to be much larger...

Why is the southern portion only zoned for 160 ft? Some of these height limits are so random.

2nd EDG for 1321 Seneca is up:
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3012930AgendaID3668.pdf

2nd EDG for 1321 Seneca is up:
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3012930AgendaID3668.pdf

Betterthan the gravel parking currently there, but it leaves me rather...meh. Between Coppins Well and this, very bland architecture.

I like it.

What rent? They own the property.

I wish they would have further developed the 3rd massing option from the original proposal but this doesn't look bad at all. I like it much more than Coppins Well.

Better than the gravel parking currently there

Oh, how I love a gravel parking lot.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8431/7575592466_2ced4cf81f_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8012/7575587528_94212ca6c3_c.jpg

2nd EDG for 1321 Seneca is up:
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3012930AgendaID3668.pdf

I'm glad the First Hill Plaza is getting friends...but it's about 90' too short.
Oh well. Boylston has a ton of development potential though.

I guess that means the old Skygarden proposal is dead. No surprise, really, but Skygarden was my favorite of the Great Recession victims, so I was holding out hope.

Yah that's been dead.

Does anyone know anything about this 500 Terry @ Jefferson project?

I was looking through the LUIB the other day and saw there was a plan for a 26 story residential building. I'll try to go back and catch the project number.

Some details on page 2. I'm sure they've been updated since I posted that link a while ago.

Some details on page 2. I'm sure they've been updated since I posted that link a while ago.

Very good.

From todays DJC.

http://www.djc.com/news/re/12045645.html

October 2, 2012

CHH opens Jefferson apartments on 12th
By JOURNAL STAFF

Capitol Hill Housing has completed The Jefferson: 40 affordable apartments and 4,500 square feet of commercial space at 12th and East Jefferson near Seattle University.

It was designed by Environmental Works of Seattle and built by MarPac Construction to meet the state's Evergreen Sustainable Development Standard. Green features include heat recovery ventilation units, high performing windows, a low energy elevator and a high efficiency gas system.

Other team members are: John Barker Landscape Architects, Swenson Say Faget, Sider & Byers Associates, Glumac International and Springline Design.

The one- and two-bedroom units are for people earning up to $36,000 for a single person or $41,000 for a two-person family. That is 60 percent of the median income.

The site had been vacant for decades and once housed a gas station. After ownership was transferred to the city, residents in the neighborhood said they would rather see housing built there than a park, so the site was awarded to Capitol Hill Housing in 2008.

Space for parking was excavated as part of cleaning up contaminated soil from the station.

Funding came from city, state and federal programs as well as KeyBank, the construction and permanent lender, and Union Bank, the low income housing tax credit investor. Impact Capital and HomeSight provided pre-development financing.

The grand opening is Friday, Oct. 19, from 2 to 4 p.m.

http://www.djc.com/stories/images/20121002/Jefferson_big.jpg

Yay, more housing.

Gotta love Capitol Hill and, I guess, the 12th Ave area. Sort of like Broadway and Pine....nearby residents saw the first idea and said let's add more housing.

Gotta love Capitol Hill and, I guess, the 12th Ave area. Sort of like Broadway and Pine....nearby residents saw the first idea and said let's add more housing.

I love you too!

I shoulda named myself Seattle. But I'm probably too dense and poorly trained for that.

awwwww(pats M on the back) http://youtu.be/-DIETlxquzY

It's great to see that stretch of 12th with more mixed-use buldings. No complaints about the design either (considering the fact that it's CHH)

awwwww(pats M on the back) http://youtu.be/-DIETlxquzY

It's ok. I (Seattle) also have a certain je ne sais quois that means I (we) get plenty of attention, and movies are set here even though...how does one say...we're a six pack but two of them are still parking lots.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8054/8133157379_1ef5c952a8_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133157379/)
Barclay Broadway 2012-09-16 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133157379/) by planet_lb (http://www.flickr.com/people/vashondude/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8185/8133157445_5587e5e89d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133157445/)
Barclay Broadway 2012-09-16 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133157445/) by planet_lb (http://www.flickr.com/people/vashondude/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8191/8133184178_316e266ae1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133184178/)
Barclay Broadway 2012-09-16 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133184178/) by planet_lb (http://www.flickr.com/people/vashondude/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8336/8133157535_338c445979_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133157535/)
Barclay Broadway 2012-09-16 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133157535/) by planet_lb (http://www.flickr.com/people/vashondude/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8193/8133184280_060b57a1b7_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133184280/)
Barclay Broadway 2012-09-16 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133184280/) by planet_lb (http://www.flickr.com/people/vashondude/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8044/8133157631_ca6a94b1c1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133157631/)
Barclay Broadway 2012-09-16 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133157631/) by planet_lb (http://www.flickr.com/people/vashondude/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8186/8133157689_76e7b1797a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133157689/)
Barclay Broadway 2012-09-16 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133157689/) by planet_lb (http://www.flickr.com/people/vashondude/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8053/8133157747_21d2122a56_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133157747/)
Barclay Broadway 2012-09-16 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133157747/) by planet_lb (http://www.flickr.com/people/vashondude/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8336/8133184522_27970480d8_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133184522/)
Barclay Broadway 2012-09-16 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133184522/) by planet_lb (http://www.flickr.com/people/vashondude/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8193/8133157867_fec4d139bb_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133157867/)
Barclay Broadway 2012-09-16 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133157867/) by planet_lb (http://www.flickr.com/people/vashondude/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8184/8133157917_a4187743c9_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133157917/)
Barclay Broadway 2012-09-16 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133157917/) by planet_lb (http://www.flickr.com/people/vashondude/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8469/8133179370_f11d4f7cbe_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133179370/)
Barclay Broadway 2012-09-16 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133179370/) by planet_lb (http://www.flickr.com/people/vashondude/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8476/8133184694_c41bf27404_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133184694/)
Barclay Broadway 2012-09-16 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133184694/) by planet_lb (http://www.flickr.com/people/vashondude/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8465/8133184756_f5fd253966_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133184756/)
Barclay Broadway 2012-09-16 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133184756/) by planet_lb (http://www.flickr.com/people/vashondude/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8474/8133184802_fdcf678732_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133184802/)
Barclay Broadway 2012-09-16 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133184802/) by planet_lb (http://www.flickr.com/people/vashondude/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8329/8133158109_b0dc9739db_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133158109/)
Barclay Broadway 2012-09-16 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133158109/) by planet_lb (http://www.flickr.com/people/vashondude/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8471/8133158159_4d8e07cb02_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133158159/)
Barclay Broadway 2012-09-16 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133158159/) by planet_lb (http://www.flickr.com/people/vashondude/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8323/8133184938_a81569e789_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133184938/)
Barclay Broadway 2012-09-16 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133184938/) by planet_lb (http://www.flickr.com/people/vashondude/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8049/8133185002_3bb7b5b202_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133185002/)
Barclay Broadway 2012-09-16 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133185002/) by planet_lb (http://www.flickr.com/people/vashondude/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8324/8133185048_ebe9bc686a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133185048/)
Barclay Broadway 2012-09-16 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133185048/) by planet_lb (http://www.flickr.com/people/vashondude/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8470/8133185098_b189d4abe5_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133185098/)
Barclay Broadway 2012-09-16 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133185098/) by planet_lb (http://www.flickr.com/people/vashondude/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8054/8133158405_61d67615a1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133158405/)
Barclay Broadway 2012-09-16 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133158405/) by planet_lb (http://www.flickr.com/people/vashondude/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8052/8133185200_cdbf5c5200_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133185200/)
Barclay Broadway 2012-09-16 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vashondude/8133185200/) by planet_lb (http://www.flickr.com/people/vashondude/), on Flickr

Any hints of what retail might be moving into there?

Broadway has potential for retail around there, with the hospitals, the university, transit, and one side with high residential density. It's fairly protected because many adjacent blocks won't ever have retail.

The potential seems to be neighborhood conveniences and lunch places.

Here's the latest for 504 Terry (at Jefferson). Not bad, but a little Bellevuey. Warning: bigger file:

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3012929AgendaID4193.pdf

Here's the latest for 504 Terry (at Jefferson). Not bad, but a little Bellevuey. Warning: bigger file:

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3012929AgendaID4193.pdf

Ooh, I love it! First Hill needs a dozen more of these. Only problem is that it's still surrounded by surface parking on that block. I'd live there though...

Ooh, I love it! First Hill needs a dozen more of these. Only problem is that it's still surrounded by surface parking on that block. I'd live there though...

It looks really good! How tall is it?

It looks really good! How tall is it?

280'

This project looks better and better to me each step of the way.

Here's the latest for 504 Terry (at Jefferson). Not bad, but a little Bellevuey. Warning: bigger file:

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3012929AgendaID4193.pdf

Nice looking project. I'm glad WeberThompson isn't using their typical arcs of glass (they sound nice but they get boring for me as a formula).

That strip of parking along Boren is really weird but it is owned by the same people who own the rest of the block. Maybe when the rest of the block is developed this parcel will be counted for open space as I can't see it even being a garage ramp being so close to the intersection.

Property records show this building was once owned by Michael Mastro (fugitive recently arrested in France).

Good design, definitely above average. Still quite boxy and blue but they've done it well. Bring it on!

500 Terry

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8210/8256254874_fa86db7a28_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8488/8255183333_c1ab9b51d6_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8206/8256189914_f5d524fb7e_c.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8061/8256191422_66e52559f8_c.jpg

Some months ago these were sitting on the street on First Hill. Were these for upgrading the sewage or maybe to put power lines underground?

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7131/7647377344_95daa777d1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27305863@N07/7647377344/)
[/url] by mSeattle (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27305863@N07/7647377344/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7249/7647377176_81cdc104a7_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27305863@N07/7647377176/)
by mSeattle (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27305863@N07/7647377176/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7274/7647376702_f5ca339f88_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27305863@N07/7647376702/)
by [url=http://www.flickr.com/people/27305863@N07/]mSeattle (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27305863@N07/7647376702/), on Flickr

I think this is for streetcar work:

In addition, several large utility installations have begun with the first of 10 blocks of replacement water main constructed along Jackson and the start of six-foot diameter storm water detention pipe construction at Yesler and Broadway.

http://sdotblog.seattle.gov/2012/08/08/first-hill-streetcar-makes-progress/

From todays DJC.

http://www.djc.com/news/re/12048852.html

January 8, 2013

Another First Hill tower for Alecta
By JOURNAL STAFF


The Swedish pension fund management company Alecta is getting ready to build another apartment tower on First Hill. This 240-foot building is planned for a site at 800 Columbia St.

A 22- or 23-story tower would sit on a three-level podium, according to permit records. There will be 275 to 300 units and four levels of underground parking.

The site is on the western side of the block bounded by Marion and Columbia streets, and Eighth and Ninth avenues. Alecta bought three quarters of the half-block for $7.9 million in 2012, property records show. The site now is occupied by parking lots and a vacant building.

The Clarwood apartments are on the northwest corner, which Alecta does not own.

Alecta proposed several apartment towers on First Hill in the last year. It plans a 26-story, 329-unit building at Terry Avenue and Jefferson Street, and a 24-story, 214-unit complex at Boylston Avenue and Seneca Street.

Weber Thompson is the architect on all three of Alecta's projects.

An early design guidance meeting for the 800 Columbia project is tentatively scheduled for 6:30 p.m. March 6 at Seattle University, 901 12th Ave.

Alecta manages approximately $74 billion and has been targeting urban infill sites in global gateway cities.

http://www.djc.com/stories/images/20130108/AlectaTower_Map_web.jpg


What is there now, you ask?


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8478/8255182443_2d1728d3b5_c.jpg

Alecta manages approximately $74 billion and has been targeting urban infill sites in global gateway cities.

We've got all the infill sites you need, c'mon down!

It'll be more exciting once they real ground on even just one of the three projects. Hopefully they aren't like Urban Visions and nothing comes from all these plans.

Lol that $74 billion figure would seem to dispel concerns that they just make plans and don't actually develop. Have any of those projects released a projected groundbreaking date?

Nope. None whatsoever. Just design plans...

Here's the latest for 504 Terry (at Jefferson). Not bad, but a little Bellevuey. Warning: bigger file:

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3012929AgendaID4193.pdf

I didn't know much about this one... Great project.

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa469/nwmike12/architecture/92b261e8672ef2fca958b015b2dbbaf4.jpg
Courtesy seattle.gov

But the surrounding surface parking lot is pretty awful...

Has nothing to do with that project. They don't own that lot.

I didn't know much about this one... Great project.

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa469/nwmike12/architecture/92b261e8672ef2fca958b015b2dbbaf4.jpg
Courtesy seattle.gov
^^
Looks like a shrunken skyscraper...its ugly

Looks like a tall low-rise to me.

Has nothing to do with that project. They don't own that lot.

It's too bad they couldn't get the property, though.

Maybe at a later time someone could develop it into rowhomes.

^^
Looks like a shrunken skyscraper...its ugly

I was thinking the same thing. The city council should halt any progress on this and work out a land swap or deal with the parking lot owner. Turn the parking into below or above grade parking with retail at base and tower on top.

It's too bad they couldn't get the property, though.

Maybe at a later time someone could develop it into rowhomes.

Not an ideal for the intersection of busy Boren and busy Cherry.

^^
Looks like a shrunken skyscraper...its ugly

Of course it's a shrunken tower.. We always want to see something taller... But it will fit in with the Harbor view tower next door.

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa469/nwmike12/architecture/139dcc0123f23df1d963195795ea4ba1.jpg
Image courtesy apple maps

Anyone else surprised by how tall Harborview's new tower is? I think about 240'. It's similar to this tower in the drawings.

Anyone else surprised by how tall Harborview's new tower is? I think about 240'. It's similar to this tower in the drawings.

Originally it was planned to be shorter, with the ability to add floors in future years. However, either before construction started, or during the excavation stage, it was determined that there was money in the budget to build the complete shell, and the top floors would be completed as needed in the future. I'm trying to find the article about this, though.

Some additional information:

http://www.ndcppp.org/project/ninth-and-jefferson-building/

They use the top floors as well. I've been to the top floor for business. Great views of CBD.

Of course it's a shrunken tower.. We always want to see something taller... But it will fit in with the Harbor view tower next door.

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa469/nwmike12/architecture/139dcc0123f23df1d963195795ea4ba1.jpg
Image courtesy apple maps

I took a second look at the picture to understand why I detest this tower (at any height). The setback makes the tower appear forbidding and cold.

Why doesn't the building blend in with its environment like its neighbor by including retail stores? The building appears to pull up its welcome mat to the community.

I took a second look at the picture to understand why I detest this tower (at any height). The setback makes the tower appear forbidding and cold.

Why doesn't the building blend in with its environment like its neighbor by including retail stores? The building appears to pull up its welcome mat to the community.

I see what you mean... I think your right. But I'm hoping a more final rendering or the final product does a better job.

I think he's talking about the already-finished tower in the picture.

If you're talking about the project to be built, you should open the design document. It's quite inviting at the ground level. The entrance is as attractive as any other residential building entrance in the city.

I took a second look at the picture to understand why I detest this tower (at any height). The setback makes the tower appear forbidding and cold.

Why doesn't the building blend in with its environment like its neighbor by including retail stores? The building appears to pull up its welcome mat to the community.

Their mission is healthcare, at the best price for taxpayers. Putting in retail would directly hamper that mission. First it would lose a ton of money...even the best side of the building would be bad for retail. Second, ground level space is helpful for healthcare uses.

Going forward, I can see a small retail node along 9th as the neighborhood grows. Otherwise probably concentrate it on Broadway and Madison.

Looking at the design a bit more, I see a lot of Vancouver style here.. Smaller tower on half of the block, allowing another tower to be built on existing parking lot in near future. Not all of our cities building need s ton of retail or fill the whole block. Look at the West End neighborhood in Vancouver and you'll see some really cool smaller towers with lots of greenery around them. Very walkable. Once the other lot gets built on, I could see this being a great new Pill Hill neighborhood taking shape.

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa469/nwmike12/architecture/2e49a559c33c9413f6b36e885bff58b0.jpg

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa469/nwmike12/architecture/d01fb985ce7e5643b604da374a299a12.jpg

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa469/nwmike12/architecture/23bc8eedfd6a4a46a40c48e57daeae71.jpg

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa469/nwmike12/architecture/720dbb806d68d924d26a390dddab12fe.jpg

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa469/nwmike12/architecture/ac8ca2ee89bd78bde35bcd3b210c7339.jpg

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa469/nwmike12/architecture/f3c80419ddec4e5bea30f0df900245ef.jpg
Images courtesy Weberthompson.com

The Harborview tower does have ground floor retail along James and 9th.

The Harborview tower does have ground floor retail along James and 9th.

On google maps (hard to see really), it looks like a lunch place, and eyeglass place, something else that's hard to see, and some spaces that have covered windows, which I'd guess is is not retail.

Long story short, the City probably required retail, and it didn't work except the obvious stuff...neighborhood convenience and one (or two?) related to medicine. Harborview probably saved us some money by talking the City into non-retail use in the spaces along James.

On google maps (hard to see really), it looks like a lunch place, and eyeglass place, something else that's hard to see, and some spaces that have covered windows, which I'd guess is is not retail.

Long story short, the City probably required retail, and it didn't work except the obvious stuff...neighborhood convenience and one (or two?) related to medicine. Harborview probably saved us some money by talking the City into non-retail use in the spaces along James.

The covered windows have signs that say "retail space available," and the hard to see establishment is apparently a gym: http://www.refitkomplex.com/

I happened to go by there today. Subway and eyewear place along James, and a coffeeshop and fitness place along 9th. I don't think any of the retail spaces were vacant. It's good to have retail there, say what you will about trying to concentrate retail along just a couple corridors but it doesn't make sense to make the huge number of people working and go to the doctor at Harborview walk several blocks to get a sandwich or a cup of coffee.

That makes sense. It's the stuff you'd see at the base of an office tower.

I shouldn't have said it's bad for retail...anyplace with thousands of workers and visitors will have a customer base. It's just very limited and localized.

From todays DJC.

http://www.djc.com/news/co/12049181.html

January 22, 2013
The Jefferson
By JOURNAL STAFF

Capitol Hill Housing has opened The Jefferson, an affordable housing and retail building at 1206 E. Jefferson St.

The location had been a polluted former gas station site left vacant for 40 years.

The property was transferred to city of Seattle ownership in the 1990s and awarded to CHH in 2008.

The six-story building has 40 units of affordable housing and 4,500 square feet of commercial space. One- and two-bedroom apartments are available for workers earning up to $36,000 for a single person or $41,000 for a two-person family.

The project is built to the Washington State Evergreen Sustainable Development Standard, and was designed to promote walking, bicycling and nearby transit use. Green features include heat recovery ventilation units, high-performing windows, a low-energy elevator and an ultra-high efficiency gas system.

Funding came from the city Office of Housing, Washington Works (state of Washington, Washington State Housing Finance Commission), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, KeyBank (construction and permanent lender), and Union Bank (Low Income Housing Tax Credit Investor). Impact Capital and HomeSight provided pre-development financing.

http://www.djc.com/stories/images/20130118/POW_TheJefferson%20(7)_big.jpg

http://www.djc.com/stories/images/20130118/POW_TheJefferson%20(3)_big.jpg

http://www.djc.com/stories/images/20130118/POW_TheJefferson%20(2)_big.jpg

http://www.djc.com/stories/images/20130118/POW_TheJefferson%20(1)_big.jpg

Nice photos of the new project.

I have to comment on the quantity of wires in the first photo - maybe time to underground? I know it's extremely expensive and there are some drawbacks but man we have some major wiring above ground on some major streets. I'm also thinking of Broadway/Pike. Rebuilding Broadway for the streetcar project that is now happening was probably the last opportunity in our lifetimes to get the Broadway lines south of Pine underground but it would've added months to the streetcar schedule and a lot of money.

The last photo of the lobby with bikes is really interesting - I can see the high visibility deterring some theft but I'm not convinced many people will lock up bikes in plain view of the world and only one door in-between. I can see why they located the rack there as it's hard to find a large enough space for bike storage that is street accessible but maybe cage it in?

I walked by this building in my grand hill tour on Saturday. Very nice looking.

Looks like there's an intercom outside, so this door is likely normally locked. If you can't trust your neighbors with a bike locked to the rack in your own building, move.

Probably a surveillance camera, too.

At least we'll be able to see some basic bike ownership/usage stats on a walk by basis. I used to park next to a resident bike rack at my place downtown and while it was just a covered parking area it was interesting to see how rarely ridden and un-rideable most of the bikes were. In this building I suspect people will actually ride their bikes especially when they're so convenient.

The residents seem to love their shrubbery. I like that too, just wonder about the selection of bamboo ...

Looks like there's an intercom outside, so this door is likely normally locked. If you can't trust your neighbors with a bike locked to the rack in your own building, move.

Right. You'd like to think there would be enough lobby traffic that someone stranger blowing freon into a lock would get noticed and deterred.

It sounds risky to me, unless the lobby is staffed. Some low-income buildings are staffed but a market-rate would wouldn't be unless it was much larger or very high-end.

Resident walks in, someone behind them sneaks in or the resident assumes they live there (some people are very conflict avoidant about this), then they hang out until the resident goes upstairs, then it's 10 seconds to a broken lock and out the door.

I assume the entry door is locked all the time. I just agree with mhays about the risk to the bikes. This is a case of the architects hanging their bikes for the photo and trusting one's neighbors doesn't even come into the picture. Just too easy to steal these bikes with good cutters and about 3 minutes.

I think you all live in a scarrier world than I do. Most of the time I lock my bike outside when I ride it somewhere. Sometimes I don't lock it at all. The last time I had anything bike-related stolen was a bike seat in 1993 in a small college town.

Lol got my front wheel stolen in Berkeley last year, then after I got a new one someone stole both my wheels and the seat.

I hear too many stories.

A 40-unit building will have a very quiet lobby, especially during certain hours.

I shouldn't talk about bike security/theft. I was the one who borrowed a girl's bike while she was gone for break at Berkeley. I rode it to class and forgot I ever rode it until maybe after break and I had no idea where I had parked it and it was so gone or lost. Maybe my most absent minded accomplishment. Berkeley's great because you don't really need a bike if you live close to campus and definitely not a car.

I think residents have to have a code (monthly fee?) to reach the bike room. The outside door has a no entry sticker on it.

Interesting. If that's not a lobby but more of a bike room then I'm surprised the windows haven't been made translucent with film or something. I might check it out tomorrow.

From todays DJC.

http://www.djc.com/news/re/12049334.html

January 24, 2013

Trammell Crow plans projects on First Hill
By JOURNAL STAFF

Trammell Crow Co. bought a property at 1124 Columbia St. on First Hill that once housed the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and plans to expand it into 190,000 square feet of medical office space.

The purchase also includes two surface parking lots on 1.1 acres at the corner of Boren and James. The company plans to redevelop that site for housing.

This is Trammell Crow's first purchase since re-entering the Seattle market last year.

Property records show it paid $42.6 million to Alexandria Real Estate. Alexandria bought the building from Fred Hutchinson for $29.48 million in 1996. It has operated as a space for biotech research and development.

Trammell Crow representatives said they plan to redevelop the building, which was built in 1976, and add an eighth floor and a new parking garage. Completion is set for 2014.

Trammell Crow will rehab common spaces, mechanical and electrical systems, and tenant suites. Other plans include a penthouse, taller windows to increase natural light, new elevators, new building control systems, refurbished restrooms, new landscaping and plaza improvements.

The company said it is putting together the project team.

The site is near Swedish, Harborview and Virginia Mason medical centers.

Washington Capital Management partnered with Trammell Crow and provided equity funding.

First Vice President Paul Carr, Vice President Steve Perovich and Associate Marcus Yamamoto with CBRE's Seattle office represented Trammell Crow on the purchase and will handle the medical office leasing.

According to PSBJ theyre only thinking 6 story residential buildings for that parking lot parcel...UGH

I lived in a 40-unit building for six years, and I think I saw about 13 people in that time, mostly slow-moving old ladies. And they were pissed when I kept them from getting in on my code!

Recommendation for 1321 Seneca is up:
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3012930AgendaID4238.pdf

Recommendation for 1321 Seneca is up:
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3012930AgendaID4238.pdf

That's somewhere I could live. I'm happy that First Hill Plaza is getting some friends finally, but we need to upzone First Hill even further.

I like it a lot, but what do all these developers have against hot tubs?

I love it! It will be a great additional to First Hill.

I don't recall much buzz if any on this project. But a pretty tall addition to the residential skyline east of I-5.

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3013479AgendaID4249.pdf

^^ I don't think I heard of this project before. I like it. It will help increase height just east of I-5.

Ooooh.... 1321 Seneca and 8th & Columbia!?

Will we get both?

^^ I don't think I heard of this project before. I like it. It will help increase height just east of I-5.

I posted a DJC writeup about this about 6 weeks ago.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=98998768&postcount=117

I posted a DJC writeup about this about 6 weeks ago.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=98998768&postcount=117

The good news is that it's been upgraded to 345'(including mechanical) and 30-stories since that write up in the DJC.

Hopefully Alecta actually moved forward with these. I'd be thrilled with any 2 of the 3 and shocked if we get them all.

I posted a DJC writeup about this about 6 weeks ago.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=98998768&postcount=117

Somehow I missed it too.

Anyway, that's 4 major projects for First Hill in the pipeline. This one is exciting because it will block the Cathedral from downtown, removing view objections to high-rise development on the Polyclinic parking lot in the future.

I posted a DJC writeup about this about 6 weeks ago.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=98998768&postcount=117

Thanks. I was thinking of other project. I got it mixed up.

Thanks. I was thinking of other project. I got it mixed up.

Good problem to have, getting 4-5 different projects confused. Boomtown!

From todays DJC.

http://www.djc.com/news/ae/12050516.html

March 1, 2013

Alecta's First Hill tower up for design review
By JOURNAL STAFF

A design review board will get its first look Wednesday at a 30-story apartment tower Alecta is planning at Eighth Avenue and Columbia Street.

The building would be approximately 345 feet tall, containing 285 units. The building will have three or four stories of underground parking, approximately .8 stalls per unit.

The meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. at Seattle University, 901 12th Ave.

In its report Alecta submitted three possible designs. It favors a taller, narrower design that leaves room for open space.

The building will have a mix of studio, one- and two-bedroom units.

Weber Thompson is the architect on the project.

The site is on the western side of the block bounded by Marion and Columbia streets, and Eighth and Ninth avenues. Alecta bought three quarters of the half-block for $7.9 million in 2012, property records show. The site now is occupied by parking lots and a vacant building.

The Clarwood apartments are on the northwest corner, which Alecta does not own.

The site is surrounded by a variety of buildings. There are 16-story and 25-story buildings nearby. It is less than two blocks from the St. James Cathedral, which was built in 1905. The site is also across the street from the Polyclinic, which employs 700 people.

Alecta proposed several apartment towers on First Hill in the last year. It plans a 26-story, 329-unit building at Terry Avenue and Jefferson Street, and a 24-story, 214-unit complex at Boylston Avenue and Seneca Street.

Alecta manages approximately $74 billion and develops infill sites in what it calls “global gateway cities.”

http://www.djc.com/stories/images/20130301/8thandColumbia_big.jpg

From todays DJC.

http://www.djc.com/news/ae/12052707.html

May 7, 2013

Town Hall to hold charrette on rehab
By JOURNAL STAFF

There will be a design charrette May 15 about a multi-million-dollar green retrofit for Town Hall Seattle on First Hill.

The historic Roman-revival-style building at 1119 Eighth Ave. was completed in 1922.

The charrette is part of a sustainability conference hosted by Cascadia Green Building Council and King County GreenTools called the 2013 Government Confluence. Attendees will include Salmon-Safe, FutureProof, Maul Foster & Alongi, Be the Change and the King County Historic Preservation Program.

It costs $50 to attend the Confluence, which runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Register at http://tiny.cc/iimoww/.

Officials from Town Hall said that the building is a Seattle landmark so things such as pews, stained glass windows and stairs can't be touched during the retrofit. The historic organ will need to be disassembled, removed and reinstalled.

No construction date has been set for the project, which is needed to reduce maintenance costs and better accommodate large events.

The nonprofit Town Hall bills itself as a community cultural center, offering music, lectures and world culture events.

The building was purchased in 1998 from the Fourth Church of Christ, Scientist.

It was constructed in two stages from 1916 to 1922 at the peak of the Christian Science movement, when the church could afford generous spaces and fine finishes.

The architect was George Foote Dunham of Portland, who also designed the Christian Science Church on Fraternity Row in Seattle's University District.

http://www.djc.com/stories/images/20130507/Town_Hall%20credit%20Steve%20Dubinsky_big.jpg

^ Are there plans to do anything with the surface parking that takes up most of that block?

Isn't it part of the church owned property? They were looking for developers to propose projects there last we heard.

^ Are there plans to do anything with the surface parking that takes up most of that block?

I put this up last July. I haven't heard anything new since.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=93217240&postcount=70

I put this up last July. I haven't heard anything new since.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=93217240&postcount=70

Thanks. I remember now. :)

What an extraordinary photo. I don't quite get the "why," but I'm sure glad we get to keep it. Do you suppose the relatively modest amount they must get for a "community cultural center, offering music, lectures and world culture events" is enough to keep the place up?

Lectures are generally in the $5 range, so not likely. They're generally supported through donations. Here are last year's largest funders:

$25,000 – 50,000

The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation
ArtsFund
The Boeing Company
Microsoft
Wyncote Foundation NW

$10,000 – 24,999

4Culture
Amazon.com
National Endowment for the Arts
The Peach Foundation
RealNetworks Foundation
Seattle Foundation
True-Brown Foundation

I'm listing them here to thank them because it's a beautiful building and wonderful resource. I wish I had time to attend some of the great lectures, and I highly recommend getting the Speakers' Forum podcast, which often rebroadcasts their lectures.

The Town Hall Seattle lecture series are pretty interesting. I'm going to the Eric Drexler (father of nanotechnology) lecture on Thursday.

See what you learn here? Thanks, I had no idea.

Don't think I've seen this one before, it's pretty big! http://web1.seattle.gov/dpd/luib/Notice.aspx?BID=815&NID=15253 30-story residential tower at the northeast corner of 8th & Columbia, with 287 residential units and 234 parking spaces. I think that makes it a little bit taller than the few-year-old building across the street to the south? Also, I get that they don't want retail on all the side streets in that area, but can't they at least put in a coffee shop and convenience store on the ground floor? There is not a whole lot of retail within a close walking distance of this building, especially when you consider the steep hills in the area... Maybe that's why they included so many parking spaces.

I looked for "Columbia & 8th LLC." No luck. Found this though,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T95RtTM_25c

Guess we can look forward to a lot more of that in the future :) Great steep site!

Don't think I've seen this one before, it's pretty big! http://web1.seattle.gov/dpd/luib/Notice.aspx?BID=815&NID=15253 30-story residential tower at the northeast corner of 8th & Columbia, with 287 residential units and 234 parking spaces. I think that makes it a little bit taller than the few-year-old building across the street to the south? Also, I get that they don't want retail on all the side streets in that area, but can't they at least put in a coffee shop and convenience store on the ground floor? There is not a whole lot of retail within a close walking distance of this building, especially when you consider the steep hills in the area... Maybe that's why they included so many parking spaces.

This is one of the 3 First Hill residential high-rises proposed by Alecta. They've already had an EDG (http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3013479AgendaID4249.pdf)in March (Weber Thompson is the architect).

I posted this in March. You just have to scroll up a bit to see it.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=100805755&postcount=176

From todays DJC.

http://www.djc.com/news/re/12053125.html

May 17, 2013

Trammell expands First Hill project
By JOURNAL STAFF

SEATTLE — Trammell Crow filed plans with the city to expand a former Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center on First Hill.

The developer purchased the site, at 1124 Columbia St., in January. It announced at the time that it planned to renovate the 37-year-old building and add an eighth floor.

New plans show that Trammell Crow wants to build a new seven-story building instead of the single-story addition to the existing building. The new medical office building would also have underground parking for 410 vehicles.

Janet Donelson, a vice president at Trammell Crow, said the company still plans to renovate the existing building.

CollinsWoerman is the architect.

The city has tentatively scheduled an early design guidance meeting for 6:30 p.m. June 5 at Seattle University's Admissions and Alumni Building, at 824 12th Ave.

Okay, at the risk of stepping in it, again, I'm confused. Are there indeed TWO new 30-srory apartment buildings planned for 8th, one at Seneca and one at Columbia? If so, I can't find a page for the latter one. Both would be fun in winter.

Yes, two on eighth, one has started at Seneca, the other one is closer to St. James Cathedral. Meku's post #188 has the EDG up for the tower not yet under construction by the Cathedral.

Thank you CH! I was thinking that one would start the sprinkling of our two hills with delicate tall flowers that I'm hoping for, but two is so much better. Plus it makes the knifing of the freeway through dt even more awesome. (my opinion)

If this proposed project meets zoning requirements I can't see this effort making much of a difference.
http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2013/05/first-hill-group-tries-to-scale-back-24-story-apartment-building/?fb_source=pubv1

If this proposed project meets zoning requirements I can't see this effort making much of a difference.
http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2013/05/first-hill-group-tries-to-scale-back-24-story-apartment-building/?fb_source=pubv1

I hate NIMBYs. Just - categorically. :mad2:

Fucking hate them all.

As long as we keep building, keep expanding our transit options and keep letting minorities move to our city, they'll be so outnumbered that they will be completely irrelevant. Then they will move to spokane and Boise and stop them from ever making any progress.

Lol did you see the comments to that article? The guy who wrote the letter complaining lives in First Hill Plaza, the high-rise down the block...

..

Is public comment on appeals such as this one possible? It'd be nice to have a formal way of expressing support for projects past the usual comment deadline.