Don't forget about fatburger!

We still got Jack in the Box! =)

Also Baja Fresh, too. Don't forget Panda Express in Bellevue Square and there are a few other fast foods scattered in that mall, too.

Also Baja Fresh, too. Don't forget Panda Express in Bellevue Square and there are a few other fast foods scattered in that mall, too.
Panda Express has since been long gone. The only fast food left in Bell Sq. is McDonalds and Orange Julius.

Panda's gone?! When did that happen?

the Panda left about a year ago, I heard it was busted for a Rat problem.

A year ago? I saw Panda Express like few months ago. *shrugs*

I called Bellevue Square and they confirmed that it had been closed for over a year, she thought closer to two.

Time flies when you are having fun eh sequoias? :)

I called Bellevue Square and they confirmed that it had been closed for over a year, she thought closer to two.

Time flies when you are having fun eh sequoias? :)

Maybe I wasn't paying attention and yeah time does flies when I have fun and such. :) Thanks for letting me know, though.

BTW - City Center Concrete Core topped out couple days ago, and they removed the forms. I still can not believe how fast this tower is going up. They are catching up to the Tower 333.

They also are dismantiling the crane for the Washington Square Northwestern Tower.

Bellevue Towers north tower crane was raised within the last few days, and the cladding has risen up to the 7th or 8th floor (didn't count).


Site Prep for the Hyatt continues to progress quickly as well, they are installing drainage it looks like at this point.

Few photos I took a couple days ago:

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f117/vvebmike/Bellevuedowntown.jpg

Picture below I had fun playing around with the buildings...I wanted to see what the sky line might look like in a year...I only changed 4 buildings.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f117/vvebmike/Playing.jpg

Bellevue Towers Diagram courtesy of Vasiliy Meshko from SSP

I find it funny how the Bellevue Towers just completely cover everything in the background hahahaha

Great picture! :)

My parents were in town for the weekend. We went to Bellevue and they were very impressed with Bellevue's booming skyline. They said they never see any city that builds so many skyscrapers at same time before.

The hole for Belcarra is going to be HUGE. I saw some digging today as I drove by. Also noticed that some bulldozers are on the Metro 112 site so that one could be starting any day now.

Is Belcarra condos?

Is Belcarra condos?

Nope. Apartments!

Dane I still don't get the difference between apartments and condos...

Dane I still don't get the difference between apartments and condos...

Apartments... You pay the rent and get nothing in return... You only can stay for month to month, six month or a year lease. You can re-lease it if you want to stay longer...

Condos... You buy it and pay mortage, HOA due monthly and annual tax... You can upgrade your condo... You get the money back when you sold your condo.

Ahhhhhhh okay so it's only the payment differences.

Apartments you rent. Condos you own. That's the simple description based on how people generally use the terms.

On the other hand, it's technically accurate to say an apartment is any sort of "flat", whether bought or rented. So you could say "rental apartment" and "condo" to avoid any confusion.

^^ There are some subtle differences in the building codes too. If the building is destined to be condos, they typically have to add more sound proofing between each unit, each unit will be set up with it's own water heater, etc.

I don't get that. You can convert an apartment into a condo, and they typically don't rip out walls.

^^ Some buildings do that but not always.

I am loving seeing the progress of this little gem! Bellevue is looking more and more dense by the week it seems!

Here is a shot from Sunday with City center Topped out.
http://aycu23.webshots.com/image/25142/2001528798255953573_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2001528798255953573)

http://aycu28.webshots.com/image/25147/2001597528523856504_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2001597528523856504)

bellevue is huge.

I don't think Bellevue is huge yet. It's growing, but it's not huge...YET. I don't see projects going up elsewhere like places along 148th or anywhere near Eastgate. In fact anywhere on the other side of 405 with the exception of Overlake is pretty much quiet. Is there a restriction on building there?

I'd like to see Bellevue annex the east side like Seattle did with all the towns over here. THEN it'd be huge, and then we'd have the Twin Cities on the lake (Like Oakland and San Fran, or Minneapolis and Saint Paul).

^
Seattle did not annex any incorporated towns. Neither will Bellevue.

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2007/08/27/daily8.html?jst=b_ln_hl

Downtown Bellevue condo tower planned
Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle) - 2:19 PM PDT Monday, August 27, 2007

A new 12-story, 242-unit condo tower will open in downtown Bellevue by the end of 2009, according to developers.

Tonsing Properties LLC of San Francisco and ProNet Capital LLC of Denver said they bought a one-acre site at 111th Avenue Northeast and Eighth Avenue Northeast for about $8 million to build the Vida project. Currently on the site are some small retail uses and some residential units.

Total development costs for the Vida project, which will also include 10,000 square feet of street-level retail space and four levels of underground parking, is $75 million, developers said.

Vida condo units will range in size from 450 square feet to 900 square feet, with the average size being 650 square feet.

"We are excited to bring something worldly to the Bellevue market," said Raymond Tonsing, president and CEO of Tonsing, in a statement.

Oh boy Bellevue getts a Moda!

Moda units average smaller than even the smallest Vida unit.

Whats on that location right now? that is really close to the Ashwood II and the Bravern correct? I don't see a lot of room on the map I am looking at.

Map Location (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=111th+Avenue+Northeast+and+Eighth+Avenue+Northeast&um=1&sa=N&tab=wl)

It's directly east of the Courtyard Marriott, wedged in between the hotel and a lowrise office building. There's a puppy store and a run down abandoned house currently on the site.

This block may be the most densely packed with different buildings after it's done, what do you guys think?

The first page of this thread needs to be updated. Many projects are missing.

Under Construction:
Belcarra
One Main Street
Metro 112
Meydenbauer Inn

Proposed:
Bellevue Plaza
Vida
Avalon @ NE 10th
Ventana
Bellevue @ Main

There's a few more with no renderings available yet but there should be renderings available for all the ones I listed.

Are you suggesting that One Main is under construction? I haven't heard that before.

One Main has been under construction for awhile, I live very close to it.

Here is a pic that is dated:

http://www.downtownbellevue.net/2007/06/new-main-street-construction.html

Oh, I was thinking Bellevue & Main. And I thought that was called 10020.

Oh, I was thinking Bellevue & Main. And I thought that was called 10020.

The address is at 10020 Main Street. The official name of the project is One Main Street.

http://www.OneMainStreet.com

The first page of this thread needs to be updated. Many projects are missing.

Under Construction:
Belcarra
One Main Street
Metro 112
Meydenbauer Inn

Proposed:
Bellevue Plaza
Vida
Avalon @ NE 10th
Ventana
Bellevue @ Main

There's a few more with no renderings available yet but there should be renderings available for all the ones I listed.
If you could post renderings to these in response to this post, that would make my job a bit easier.

I'm a bit leery of putting too many lowrise projects in that compilation - except maybe for a particularly notable one here and there (like Avalon Safeway). I dunno, it just seems there's potential to get carried away with posting a lot of little projects that are really no big deal. :dunno:

You might have a cutoff like "100 units, 100,000 sf, or 10 stories".

Wasn't there a project called the Avalon in Seattle that was never built? And I'd love to see the Bellevue Plaza go up soon :)

In Seattle, a developer called AvalonBay started a project then delayed it. It came back a few years later as M Street, by Opus, and was completed this summer. AvalonBay is currently building Avalon Meydenbauer, aka the new Safeway and housing project in Downtown Bellevue.

I think once apon a time Hotel 1 (2nd & Pine) was called Avalon. Thats what it was called at Emporis for some time but you know how they are.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...arriott29.html

Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Bellevue has room for more rooms
By Bibeka Shrestha
Seattle Times business reporter

Bellevue, get ready for another Marriott.

HEI Hotels & Resorts, a Connecticut-based hotel developer, said Tuesday it plans to build a 14-floor, 378-room Marriott hotel in downtown Bellevue by 2010.

HEI's first hotel project in Washington state will be on a one-acre site on the southeast quadrant on 110th Avenue Northeast and Northeast Third Place. It will have 13,000 square feet of meeting space, a restaurant, fitness facility, indoor pool and a parking garage.

Lately, hoteliers have been flying into Bellevue on the tails of corporate giants such as Microsoft and Expedia that are expanding operations on the Eastside.

A Marriott Residence hotel is under construction near Interstate 405 at the Wilburton interchange, and it's been less than two years since two Marriott hotels opened in the area. A 251-room Courtyard hotel in downtown Bellevue and Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Kirkland debuted in December 2005.

Marriott is just one of the many hotel chains attracted to the area.

Three hotel projects are in the works in Bellevue, said Robert Derrick, economic development director for the city. Besides the Marriott Residence, a boutique hotel under construction in Eastgate will be completed by fall. Hyatt Regency Bellevue in the central business district is doubling its size with a new tower. Each hotel takes about 18 months to build, Derrick said.

Steve Gilbert, Bellevue's economic development manager, said the Bel-Red corridor and the Crossroads and Overlake areas on the east side of Bellevue hold potential for more hotels.

"I don't think we've come close to the bottom," Gilbert said. "We've got additional capacity here in Bellevue."

Russell Urban, senior vice president of development at HEI, said his company has been planning the Bellevue hotel development since last November.

"We're enthusiastic about it because Bellevue is such a dynamic and high-growth commercial market," Urban said.

HEI is also looking for opportunities in Seattle, including a potential project in South Lake Union, Urban said.

The planned Marriott hotel is designed for business travelers.

With Microsoft taking over about 1.4 million square feet of office space in Bellevue, Eddie Bauer moving its headquarters to downtown Bellevue and Expedia moving in, too, there's a demand for more meeting space, Gilbert said.

"Business leads to business," he said.

All this business might sometimes be a bit of an inconvenience, though.

Gilbert said a board meeting of his was pushed out of the Hyatt Regency Bellevue earlier this week. A news conference with President Bush took precedence.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/ABPub/2007/08/28/2003857791.gif

I'm happy to hear about the Marriott. Hotels are an important contributor to a downtown's vitality, arguably to a greater degree than housing. And it's more good density.

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2007/08/27/daily8.html?jst=b_ln_hl

Downtown Bellevue condo tower planned
Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle) - 2:19 PM PDT Monday, August 27, 2007

A new 12-story, 242-unit condo tower will open in downtown Bellevue by the end of 2009, according to developers.

Tonsing Properties LLC of San Francisco and ProNet Capital LLC of Denver said they bought a one-acre site at 111th Avenue Northeast and Eighth Avenue Northeast for about $8 million to build the Vida project. Currently on the site are some small retail uses and some residential units.

Total development costs for the Vida project, which will also include 10,000 square feet of street-level retail space and four levels of underground parking, is $75 million, developers said.

Vida condo units will range in size from 450 square feet to 900 square feet, with the average size being 650 square feet.

"We are excited to bring something worldly to the Bellevue market," said Raymond Tonsing, president and CEO of Tonsing, in a statement.


I'm looking forward to this place wiping clean that land. This property has been begging for development.

http://aycu05.webshots.com/image/25564/2005765632448460346_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2005765632448460346)

So if I'm not mistaken, this will be right next door to the Courtyard by Marriott. Nice fill!

Nice fill indeed, but with the Bravern across the street, and now this density, i wonder how far the backups getting off of 405 will be. In general I am stoked to see all the cranes, but traffic is going to be a serious issue. I hope they put in some bike lanes, it may be the only way to get around town in 5 years with the gridlock!

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/eastsidenews/2003860119_gallery30e.html

Projects add "cultural layer" to downtown Bellevue scene

By Ashley Bach
Seattle Times Eastside bureau

Bellevue has top-flight shopping, corporate giants and a low crime rate, but one thing it is not known for is art.

That may be changing, thanks to several new developments in the Ashwood neighborhood, in the northeast corner of downtown. The most recent example unfolded Wednesday night, with the opening of a 2,000-square-foot art-exhibition space on the ground floor of the 989 Elements apartment building.

The space, called Open Satellite, will host four artists a year, who will take turns living in a 21st-floor apartment while their exhibits are installed. Olga Koumoundouros, the inaugural artist, used mossy shingles from an abandoned single-family home across the street to create "A Roof Upended," a comment on the modern high-rises that are quickly filling up downtown Bellevue.

A handful of developers are helping to create a "cultural layer" in a city that is still relatively young — and it's first taking shape in and around the Ashwood neighborhood, according to city officials.

The exhibition space "anchors an organically developing cultural corridor in the downtown core," said Mary Pat Byrne, the city's art specialist. "It's all sort of unofficial and developer-inspired."

Bellevue developer John Su has long pushed to make Ashwood a cultural center and included Open Satellite in his building on 112th Avenue Northeast "to create community and opportunities for people to interact," said Linda Abe, Su's assistant development director.

Su is also planning 50,000 square feet of arts-related retail — galleries and studios — in an adjacent apartment building under construction, called Elements Too. The 274-unit building, set to open in fall 2008, will include a public plaza designed for arts-and-crafts shows and weekend fairs, Abe said.

A block away, the Houston-based Hanover Co. is including a black-box theater in its 1020 Tower apartment building, scheduled to open next year.

Developer Kemper Freeman has helped lead the charge for a 2,000-seat performing-arts center, to be built another block to the west. Organizers of the Performing Arts Center Eastside have raised about $22 million of their $160 million goal and hope to open in fall 2010.

Capping off the creative theme is the Bellevue Regional Library, next to Ashwood Park, a building that has won awards for its architecture and is a popular spot for readings and other literary activities.

The Eastside arts community stays connected with groups like the Eastside Arts Coalition, but demand for venues like Meydenbauer Center and the Kirkland Performance Center outstrips supply, Byrne said.

A primary obstacle to the arts community blossoming in Bellevue has been a lack of "places to do things," she said. "We don't have an infrastructure here."

Open Satellite and other projects will improve communication and bring artists together, said Abigail Guay, the space's exhibitions director. She said she's already talked to the Bellevue Arts Museum and organizers of the new performing-arts center.

"Everyone wants to work together to make [the community] bigger than the sum of its parts," Guay said.

Nice fill indeed, but with the Bravern across the street, and now this density, i wonder how far the backups getting off of 405 will be. In general I am stoked to see all the cranes, but traffic is going to be a serious issue. I hope they put in some bike lanes, it may be the only way to get around town in 5 years with the gridlock!

Apartments sometimes reduce traffic, if enough of the residents are people who used to commute to the same area but can now walk.

Also, this area has direct-access ramps from the bus mall to the HOV lanes.

I think, too, that Bellevue is getting a nice mix of housing and commercial. People who live in these new homes and apartments may likely work in these new office buildings, hotels, and retail.

Well, increased density and gridlock will be a problem, but then there's (hopefully) light rail, which I have to depend on you guys to vote for.

About arts...Bellevue needs a professional full-time symphony like Seattle Symphony. I'm a big fan of orchestras because I personally play violin in the Seattle Youth Orchestra. I would love to see a professional full-time symphony in Bellevue instead of a part-time amateur orchestra.

I'm not sure this city can support two major symphonies.

I'm a fan of classical music too, along with a lot of other types. But I've only been to the symphony a couple times, both using my company's season tickets which are awarded on a lottery.

Why would increased density be a problem. It works fine in Seattle.

I got a new update of photos from Bellevue in my Northwest Photo Journey. This update specializes on the construction projects in Bellevue. click my signature to view and be sure to leave a comment. ;)
http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/3329/ajmbellcard5qz3.jpg (http://usaspatriot.proboards38.com/index.cgi?board=places&action=display&thread=1187984896)

Some sample images.

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/3220/ajmbellevuetowergrownf8.jpg

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/4285/ajmbellditchis5.jpg

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/7264/ajmbellskylineparkasam3.jpg


Be sure to view all 40 plus images in update! :D You can comment as a guest too. :) Greatly appreciated.

I'm not sure this city can support two major symphonies.

I'm a fan of classical music too, along with a lot of other types. But I've only been to the symphony a couple times, both using my company's season tickets which are awarded on a lottery.

Yeah it'll cost too much. And classical music is dying... :( Hope Bellevue can start some arts revolution hahaha.

Well density problem, we all know what 405 is like during rush hour through Bellevue. And people going to work elsewhere will have a hard time getting onto 405 and if the ramps are metered and lines are long enough, they'll back up the streets. That's what I'm worried about. I think the streets in Bellevue are big enough and the signal timings are accurate enough to get traffic moving, but near the overpasses, I'm not so sure. I've seen traffic in the Highlands back up all the way up the hill trying to get on I-90.

If those 405 drivers didn't have to go as far, there wouldn't be as much traffic.

Yeah but areas around 405 will still be crowded. There's an expansion going on though. I heard one or two lanes in each direction.

my god it seems every Bellevue project has such massive excavation:

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/4285/ajmbellditchis5.jpg


nice pics patriot.

Here are some pictures of the new models at Washington Square....

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/RandyLucas425/DSC02560.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/RandyLucas425/DSC02559.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j73/RandyLucas425/DSC02557.jpg

^
Sweet!!!!! :banana:

I really like the new models of Wasquare. Wow there will be a lot of Retail space in there. I like the shape of the hotel tower. Just wish it was a bit taller.

According to the new PSBJ out today, the rumor has it that Yahoo! is about to sign a lease for 120,000 sq ft at One Twelth@Twelth - which is the office complex where CH2M Hill is located.

I didn't know there was that much space available there! Maybe someone is going to move out.

So much for our hopes for CCII.

The article also said that Research in Motion (RIM, the makers of Blackberry) are going to take half of the space in the Legacy I-90 office park in Eastgate. Not sure exactly which one that is.

The photo of the model shows some of the silliest building shapes I've seen in a long time. No discipline, just blobby plans and AutoCAD gone crazy. Don't copy Two Union Square but study how restrained yet cool and modern it is with as few geometries as possible. Or study Calatrava if you've just gotta have lots of curves - at least he's really smart about them and his sites have some organization that a visitor can get comfortable in. Bellevue can have this random desperate stuff all it wants.

WOW! I love the new model of Washington Square! I love some crazy shapes of skyscrapers! Get them built! :cheers:

the tallest tower needs a spire! otherwise well done!

I like the oval one. Mostly I'm excited about the density level.

That's one mighty development.

Well, increased density and gridlock will be a problem, but then there's (hopefully) light rail, which I have to depend on you guys to vote for.

About arts...Bellevue needs a professional full-time symphony like Seattle Symphony. I'm a big fan of orchestras because I personally play violin in the Seattle Youth Orchestra. I would love to see a professional full-time symphony in Bellevue instead of a part-time amateur orchestra.
http://www.bellevuephil.org/

Washington square looks great!

Yes I know about Bellevue Philharmonic, but that's a small community orchestra. I'm talking about a full-time paid orchestra like Seattle Symphony. I do not think it's going to happen anytime with Bellevue though. Like someone said before, it's always the arts that get the attention last, and it's always the the arts that gets squashed first in budget cuts. The sports teams get all the attention. Why does no one care about art? :ohno:

Washington square looks great!

Yes I know about Bellevue Philharmonic, but that's a small community orchestra. I'm talking about a full-time paid orchestra like Seattle Symphony. I do not think it's going to happen anytime with Bellevue though. Like someone said before, it's always the arts that get the attention last, and it's always the the arts that gets squashed first in budget cuts. The sports teams get all the attention. Why does no one care about art? :ohno:

I do care about art.

In my own obversation that City of Bellevue isn't really into art much as Seattle does. Bellevue does have some public artworks at around downtown area. Bellevue struggled to keep its art museum (BAM) open during low attendances. Please remember that, Bellevue is newer city and trying to catch up many things what US cities have. Last thing, Bellevue does have art event such as Craft & Art Walk. It is good start for City of Bellevue.

I meant to add, Bellevue doesn't have a full-sized arts community YET. There :) I hope Freeman's new renovation of Bellevue Square will attract some newcomers. We can't always look at buildings ya know. But PAC's coming, so I have my full support for that, but I don't think they announced when ground breaking date is.

Few more shots I took of Bellevue recently.

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/9170/ajmbellgrowcitymainwj8.jpg

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/6050/ajmeddiebauerdoneur4.jpg

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/8127/ajmwestinnorthbo6.jpg

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/4181/ajmbellcityplazaiifw0.jpg

Nice pictures. Thank you!

If I am not mistaken, the first one is Bellevue Towers and the last one is City Center, correct?

yep! :)

^^ Welcome to SSC! :cheers:

USAPatriot, Thanks for sharing the pictures! :)

Thanks and welcome Pablo!

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f117/vvebmike/DSC01707.jpg
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f117/vvebmike/DSC01716.jpg

Thats a great angle of the skyline. the bellevue Towers are going to dominate that view.

Where do you get those stunng views from Velciane?

119th Street, its right off of Coal Creek Parkway.

Bellevue towers are huge.

I can't wait to see the Bravern fill in that gap between 989 elements and the rest of the skyline.

Awesome pictures! :)

It is about time for Bellevue to get 600', 700', 800', and up towers just make Bellevue skyline bigger. :)

Awesome pictures! :)

It is about time for Bellevue to get 600', 700', 800', and up towers just make Bellevue skyline bigger. :)

I don't think we have any of those planned yet, but it would be nice wouldn't it? :)

I don't think we have any of those planned yet, but it would be nice wouldn't it? :)

Nope, there is no taller towers planned. Yes that would be nice! :)

^^ Welcome to SSC! :cheers:

USAPatriot, Thanks for sharing the pictures! :)

Thanks for the warm welcome guys! :banana:

Super talls would look so great in Bellevue :-)

Thanks for the warm welcome guys! :banana:

Super talls would look so great in Bellevue :-)

No problem! :) I agree! I don't think Bellevue or Seattle will see a supertall for at least five years or so from now.

No problem! :) I agree! I don't think Bellevue or Seattle will see a supertall for at least five years or so from now.

:ohno:

:ohno:

What? I'm being realistic here.

Some cool Photos(renderings) From European Tower Website!
Can not wait for this one to be built. Should go up fast once the Deep garage is done.
http://aycu21.webshots.com/image/25540/2005622255192336827_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2005622255192336827)
http://aycu39.webshots.com/image/25038/2005605392805262143_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2005605392805262143)
http://aycu03.webshots.com/image/27202/2005605694319624486_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2005605694319624486)

^^ Very interesting building... I only can see the difference is at the rooftop. I am not sure if I like it or not... I will hold my judgment until it get built.

That looks like a really cool building going up...it doesn't look to overpower the neighborhood like some other highrises might.

If I had the money, and I don't have the money, this would be the only place in DT Bellevue that I would buy a condo. You get the whole floor to yourself! That, to me is luxury!

If I had the money, and I don't have the money, this would be the only place in DT Bellevue that I would buy a condo. You get the whole floor to yourself! That, to me is luxury!
I'm really more of a 2- or 3-flat apartment guy, but this highrise really would be pretty swanky.

Nice location! Love the park across the street. What park is that by the way?

Its the King County Regional Library.

And the adjoining Ashwood Park. Complete with terrible drainage. I think they plan to renovate the field.

I noticed that the roads in Bellevue are all asphalt and the ones in Seattle are mainly concrete. I saw the 5-lane road by the Euro Tower rendering and that appears to be one of the few roads in Bellevue that is concrete. Is there a difference to using the two different types of materials?

Asphalt is cheaper, easier to repair, but doesn't last as long. Concrete will lost a long time, but it hell to repair, and more expensive. Also asphalt can be compressed over time, needed more repair. Ever notice how some spots on asphalt sink in?

Also, concrete needs a day to 'set' whereas asphalt can be driven on as soon as it's laid.

Asphalt is cheaper, easier to repair, but doesn't last as long. Concrete will lost a long time, but it hell to repair, and more expensive. Also asphalt can be compressed over time, needed more repair. Ever notice how some spots on asphalt sink in?

Also, concrete needs a day to 'set' whereas asphalt can be driven on as soon as it's laid.

So if Asphalt is cheaper and easier to repair, but it doesn't last as long, then would the cost of Asphalt+repair over time be as high as just laying down concrete once? I noticed that there is a place on WB I-90 carpool lane near the Eastgate Carpool offramp that has a sinkhole right under the overpass. But I feel Asphalt gives a smoother ride. Doesn't asphalt also absorb more energy and isn't as prone to cracks?

I am not an engineer so I don't know a whole lot about it. I imagine in the long run, yes, asphalt will end up costing more. And I think you are correct that asphalt is not as prone to cracking. Dont quote me on that! lol

I am not an engineer so I don't know a whole lot about it. I imagine in the long run, yes, asphalt will end up costing more. And I think you are correct that asphalt is not as prone to cracking. Dont quote me on that! lol

Hahaha I'm not sure, I only heard that concrete was more brittle. I've seen places where there are a whole bunch of random tar strips sprayed around concrete road surfaces. I'm assuming those are for repairing cracks lol

Some nice photo's from www.downtownbellevue.net
Great site for Info on Bellevue
Taken from Top of 333
http://aycu36.webshots.com/image/25875/2002006626350761044_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2002006626350761044)
http://aycu10.webshots.com/image/25209/2002071341546930466_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2002071341546930466)

Also on their blog is some juicy info of where Lucky Strike will be.

http://aycu06.webshots.com/image/27165/2004976870169561854_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2004976870169561854)

Wow, impressive view from up there. This is the first time I've seen it. I love the views from the skyscrapers in Bellevue. ;)

I don't know about you, but I love the second picture because I get excited when I'm looking from a skyscraper while I'm sandwiched between tall shiny buildings lol

For those who have been waiting, here are the Japan pictures I took. A little inspiration from the outside world. Something I believe Bellevue will look like in the future.

Convention Center. There was a Hitachi expo

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0243-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0244-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0238-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0232-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0231-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0228-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0225-1.jpg

Restaurant above convention center

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0224-1.jpg

A tour around it

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0223-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0222-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0221-1.jpg

Surroundings

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0219-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0211-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0209-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0208-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0200-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0199-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0198-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0246-1.jpg

Bellevue Plaza-ish?

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0197-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0196-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0195-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0194-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0189-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0187-1.jpg

Lots of rectangular buildings...(yawn)

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0179-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0177-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0161-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0160-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0157-1.jpg

On a tower...high tower

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0150-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0148-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0144-1.jpg

Yes that bridge cutting across is a freeway. 4 lanes, speed limit 80 km/h approximately 53 miles an hour.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0145-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0140-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0136-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0134-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0133-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0129-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0115-1.jpg

Hiroshima Museum

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0039-1.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0040-1.jpg

Original City Center from Hiroshima after nuking

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0042.jpg

Back to Tokyo

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0016-2.jpg

Tokyo City hall

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0029-1.jpg

Some other building

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0010.jpg

Tokyo Surroundings

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0266.jpg

The Yellow thing is a beer company logo...

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0269.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0263.jpg

Back to Tokyo (Notice the power lines on the bottom of the picture. Those are power lines for train pantographs.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0246.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0154.jpg

Tokyo Train Station

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h122/HAWC1506/Japan%202007/IMG_0174.jpg

Enjoy! I have pictures of the transit system on the ST2 part 2 thread.

OK HAWC, this is a thread about Bellevue, enough of the Japan pics. ;)

OK HAWC, this is a thread about Bellevue, enough of the Japan pics. ;)

Hahaha sorry. I got carried away. Just something I thought would be cool to share. Some people said they wanted to see it. Like...two months ago hahahaha I was only going to toss in a thing or two, but there was so much. Some parts do resemble a lot of Bellevue though. I think Bellevue will develop into that taste in a decade or so.

Tokyo is a fantastic, incredible city. It's one of those cities that I like more where there are fewer skyscrapers and narrower streets. Give me Shibuya over Shinjuku any day. And good pics.

I'm glad Bellevue and Seattle have lower height limits. Sure one or two supertalls would be great, but I've seen in New York where you look up and you can barely see the sky. I will stick with the blue :lol: We're lucky we still have room to expand :)

I'm glad Bellevue and Seattle have lower height limits. Sure one or two supertalls would be great, but I've seen in New York where you look up and you can barely see the sky. I will stick with the blue :lol: We're lucky we still have room to expand :)

Ooooohhh.... now you've gone and blasphemed this forum :ohno: :lol:

I agree, I like seattle's personal skyline.

Ooooohhh.... now you've gone and blasphemed this forum :ohno: :lol:

I agree, I like seattle's personal skyline.
lol :lol:

It works for Seattle, lots of natural beauty everywhere...I wouldn't want it to become a NYC either.

lol :lol:

It works for Seattle, lots of natural beauty everywhere...I wouldn't want it to become a NYC either.

:lol: Come on we're on the west, relax haha

HAWC1506,

I love the first half of Tokyo pictures. I can see Bellevue to have these type of development and architecture. I am glad Bellevue isn't so dense as Tokyo (No offensive to Tokyo).

BTW, I disagree about having one or two supertalls. I can see both Seattle and Bellevue to have a several of supertalls sometime in future.

HAWC1506,

I love the first half of Tokyo pictures. I can see Bellevue to have these type of development and architecture. I am glad Bellevue isn't so dense as Tokyo (No offensive to Tokyo).

BTW, I disagree about having one or two supertalls. I can see both Seattle and Bellevue to have a several of supertalls sometime in future.

Thank you! I surely hope Bellevue will never be as dense as Tokyo. Tokyo, I admire for its architecture and modernism, not for its layout. I can't blame Japan though, it's too small, but Bellevue there's more than enough room to expand. I don't mean one or two supertalls, just not so much crammed into one area that it blocks out the sky like New York. Let me rephrase it, I would like to see Bellevue and Seattle receive supertalls but have them spread out over a larger area.

I'm not sure supertalls plus narrow streets will be a good combination though, will it?

I dont think supertalls would look good in the Seattle area at all! With your height restrictions, many of the buildings are very small compared to other cities...adding one giant one would look out of place and lame.

I dont think supertalls would look good in the Seattle area at all! With your height restrictions, many of the buildings are very small compared to other cities...adding one giant one would look out of place and lame.

Yeah something like this

http://www.chinapage.com/photo/whistler/taipei101.jpg

Looks very weird. I don't think Seattle has gotten to the point where it needs supertalls yet.

lol, exactly. Cool photo though.

That is fine example of bad planning of one supertall stick up out of nowhere and messed up the skyline. By the way, its still rad picture! :)

Seattle have a bunch of taller towers but not tall as supertalls. I can see Seattle to have two or three supertalls (around 1,200', 1,400', and 1,600') just few blocks apart from each other. I can see Bellevue to have just one supertall (around 1,200') but Bellevue need add some taller buildings like 700' and up surround a supertall. That will help balance Bellevue skyline better.

I dont think supertalls would look good in the Seattle area at all! With your height restrictions, many of the buildings are very small compared to other cities...adding one giant one would look out of place and lame.

It depends on design. Some designs could make Seattle/Bellevue look bad and messed up. Some designs can make Seattle/Bellevue look fantastic!

It depends on design. Some designs could make Seattle/Bellevue look bad and messed up. Some designs can make Seattle/Bellevue look fantastic!

It will still look a little weird to have one stick shooting up though. If you blend it in with buildings that increases in height all the way to the super tall then that might look better.

It will still look a little weird to have one stick shooting up though. If you blend it in with buildings that increases in height all the way to the super tall then that might look better.

That's what I tried to say. :nuts:

That's what I tried to say. :nuts:

Ahhh design of the city layout, not the building itself, gotcha :lol:

Ahhh design of the city layout, not the building itself, gotcha :lol:

:lol: :lol: :lol: Yeah

You guys may think Bellevue Towers is Huge now...but it is not even half way up yet.

I can't wait to see it when it's done!

Bellevue's skyline in the distance from the Space Needle last night (9/8/07)

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h17/seasun_01/20070908needlebellevue.jpg

Bellevue's skyline in the distance from the Space Needle last night (9/8/07)

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h17/seasun_01/20070908needlebellevue.jpg

Someday I hope the skyline will extend across the side of Lake WA.

Blast it Seasun, if you'd gone up the Space Needle an hour earlier we could have had a mini forum meet!

Someday I hope the skyline will extend across the side of Lake WA.

lol, that would be interesting.

Legacy Partners has applied for Design Review for their new apartment tower at the Sea Garden site at the NE corner of NE 2nd and 106th. The preliminary name for the project is "Bellevue Tower" (how original). The architect is EDI Architecture. You can check out some of their other projects here: http://www.ediarchitecture.com/multifamily/multifamily.html

In other news, I have a friend who works at corporate for a Bel Square tenant. She told me that Kemper has signed Saks along with some other high end retailers to preliminary agreements to take up space in their future developments (The Bellevue and Lincoln Square II). They will make formal announcements in the next six months regarding prospective tenants and designs for these projects. Exciting stuff.

^^ oh boy oh boy oh boy! :banana:

Wait so there will be a Bellevue Towers and Bellevue Tower?!

EDi looks like it designs pretty boring buildings....

I am surprised that no one post the new rendering of new development in Bellevue. I can't spell this development name... It started with "E". It looks like crazy skyscraper to me but I love it. If no one here know what I talk about... I will try to find the rendering and post it here when I have chance.

Wow, EDi's buildings are AWFUL! They couldn't be more bulkier if they had to be. I hope you get something better!

Does anyone know what the project is currently under construction at Eastgate area in Bellevue close by I-90? I saw 4 cranes over there in same area.

microsoft? ^

Microsoft's campus is on SR 520 corridor. I don't know if it is Microsoft expanding in Eastgate area. It could be some business park expansion of some kind.

Microsoft is leasing an entire project being built by Schnitzer. This is part of the 1,300,000 sf of Bellevue leases they announced a few months ago.

Microsoft is leasing an entire project being built by Schnitzer. This is part of the 1,300,000 sf of Bellevue leases they announced a few months ago.

That is wayyy crazy...Big Mike's invading Bellevue.

Whoa, 1.3 million of sq ft. Is it built with 4 lowrises or midrises in Eastgate?

It's three buildings in Eastgate, all around 7 stories, plus the Bravern project in Downtown Bellevue. The figure doesn't include Eddie Bauer Tauer, the recent Seattle leases, or the ongoing expansions in Redmond.

I am surprised that no one post the new rendering of new development in Bellevue. I can't spell this development name... It started with "E". It looks like crazy skyscraper to me but I love it. If no one here know what I talk about... I will try to find the rendering and post it here when I have chance.

No idea what you're talking about. The only new highrise in Bellevue I can think of that starts with an E is the European Tower. Where'd you see this rendering?

It's three buildings in Eastgate, all around 7 stories, plus the Bravern project in Downtown Bellevue. The figure doesn't include Eddie Bauer Tauer, the recent Seattle leases, or the ongoing expansions in Redmond.

ahh, thanks! I dunno why there are 4 cranes, it should be 3 cranes. maybe one of the building is bigger than the 2 others?

I am surprised that no one post the new rendering of new development in Bellevue. I can't spell this development name... It started with "E". It looks like crazy skyscraper to me but I love it. If no one here know what I talk about... I will try to find the rendering and post it here when I have chance.

If your thinking about European Tower, then go back to page 43 and you will see the images I found. But this tower is not very crazy. Maybe your thinking of something else?

Nope that is not European Tower. I tried to find it on Seattle Times Newspaper but I couldn't find it. :( It was on Seattle Times Newspaper a several weeks ago. It has an unique shape as "arrow" building with four major support columns from ground level to roof top. At roof top is really different than the rest of the building. It looks like flat shelter that cover the rooftop. Anyone knows what I talk about?

I thought we talked about "Elements Too" in Ashwood before?

Rendering here:

http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=tuelets04&date=20070904&query=elements+too

I'm all for buildings that people will remember - for one reason or another.

I thought we talked about "Elements Too" in Ashwood before?

Rendering here:

http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=tuelets04&date=20070904&query=elements+too

Yes that's one! Thanks! :) I don't think we talked about that development before.

Elements Too was formerly known as Ashwood Commons II. It's on the first page of this thread. It's the second phase of the 989 Elements project that was completed last year by Su Development.

Elements Too was formerly known as Ashwood Commons II. It's on the first page of this thread. It's the second phase of the 989 Elements project that was completed last year by Su Development.

I didn't know that. I thought it was new development.

I was going down 405 today and I noticed that right beside the exit 12 off-ramp going southbound, there's a project going up. Anyone have a clue what that is?

"Exit 12"? Gonna hafta speak "pedestrian from Seattle". I don't know exit numbers.

But if you're talking about just south of Downtown Bellevue, there's a hotel in the 250-room range going up.

"Exit 12"? Gonna hafta speak "pedestrian from Seattle". I don't know exit numbers.

But if you're talking about just south of Downtown Bellevue, there's a hotel in the 250-room range going up.

Sorry I didn't get a good look at the sign to see the street name. But that hotel might be it. Thanks!

I just read in the PSBJ that El Gaucho will be opening a new restaurant in Bellevue at City Center Plaza. Along with the new restaurants that will open at the nearby Bravern, there's going to be a growing critical mass of upscale restaurants in that area.

Cool. Since El Gaucho is my favorite hand out spot. I remember last year the people at the dt location were saying they're opening one in Bellevue. This will definately bring dt Bellevue's nightlife up a notch or two.

I was wonder why they pulled out of Wa Square. At least they are still opening.

Sorry I didn't get a good look at the sign to see the street name. But that hotel might be it. Thanks!

I believe it's going to be a Marriott hotel. I remember reading about that in the Seattle Times. They were talking about new hotels opening in the Downtown Bellevue area.

Yeah I googled it and found it. Thanks! Haha love the one Taiwan no China thing.

Its a marriott garden suites/inn thing.

Hey which building is the one that's topping out right now? Not just the elevator shaft, but the actual steel around it as well (don't know the term for that).

bellevue city center II^

I'm loving city center II. The glass is starting to work it's way up too. Should look great once it's all done.

I'm loving city center II. The glass is starting to work it's way up too. Should look great once it's all done.

AHHH i haven't even seen the glass yet, actually I haven't set foot in Bellevue for quite a while...I probably should go look around...

I just posted some new pictures in the "Come Check Out Downtown Bellevue Washington " thread...

I just posted some new pictures in the "Come Check Out Downtown Bellevue Washington " thread...

Ah I didn't know that thread existed either, hahaha thanks :lol:

So no new development planned for Bellevue in last 8 days?

So no new development planned for Bellevue in last 8 days?

Boring week isn't it?

Boring week isn't it?

I figured.

Did you seriously expect a bunch of new proposals in a span of a week? Don't hold your breath for new major proposals in downtown Bellevue, there's enough stuff in the pipeline now to maintain the feverish construction rate for the next 2-3 years. It's not like there hasn't been any news regarding Bellevue lately, just in the last week El Gaucho announced they'll be taking up space at City Center Plaza and Jimmy Choo will be opening their first Northwest boutique at The Bravern.

Well just think: There were probably several development applications for additions to garages, new quickie-marts and a few tear-downs in Bellevue this week. :D

Did you seriously expect a bunch of new proposals in a span of a week? Don't hold your breath for new major proposals in downtown Bellevue, there's enough stuff in the pipeline now to maintain the feverish construction rate for the next 2-3 years. It's not like there hasn't been any news regarding Bellevue lately, just in the last week El Gaucho announced they'll be taking up space at City Center Plaza and Jimmy Choo will be opening their first Northwest boutique at The Bravern.

Haha no. I was expecting at least ONE new development while I was gone. :) I came back and only saw a several posts than compared to another threads that happen to be more active than this thread. Look at Seattle, they bought up a several new developments while I was gone for 8 days. So yeah this thread is pretty quiet for a while.

Well just think: There were probably several development applications for additions to garages, new quickie-marts and a few tear-downs in Bellevue this week. :D

:lol:

Man nothing ever happens on weekends...

Go to the Olive8 webcam (Seattle). This is the only major cosntruction site where I see activity on the weekends. I think it's because they are so far behind. There's your activity, though!!

Hey is there anything going on near the Eating Factory? Last time I went there they were digging up the area behind it. Of course this was like...last year, who knows what's there now?

Hey is there anything going on near the Eating Factory? Last time I went there they were digging up the area behind it. Of course this was like...last year, who knows what's there now?

Uhh...that's a little project called Washington Square. Ever heard about it?

"Eating factory"?! Now that sounds appetizing.

Uhh...that's a little project called Washington Square. Ever heard about it?

OHHHH so THAT'S where WA square is okay okay thanks :) By the way, does anyone have the sales number for Bellevue Tower 1? And when does the 2nd one go on sale?

I heard something like 70% for tower 1 and tower 2 has started sales already (or maybe only available to those that have registered).

"Eating factory"?! Now that sounds appetizing.

Uh off topic, The Eating Factory is a Japanese buffet similar to Todai that was open in Bellevue from at least the early 1990s to maybe 2004. Because of Washington Square, the restaurant closed and the owners moved their restaurant to Northgate Mall (as part of the mall's expansion plan), now known as Blue Fin Japanese Buffet, now open next to JCPenney.

I love Todai. But Eating Factory just sounds like you go strap on a feedbag or something.

^^ Hahaha, I just checked Google! I didn't realize they had been closed for so long! Time flies...But why why why why why why why NORTHGATE???!?!?!??!!?!??!?! It was one of the best restaurants in Bellevue!!!

Ah here's an article quote:

"Homes in the 42-story north tower are currently available for reservations and are about 75% filled. South tower homes are expected to be released this Fall. Homes are priced from the $500,000’s for studios to over $2 million, averaging well over $600/sq ft. Homes priced over $1.2 million come with two parking spaces and homeowner dues are expected to be $.50/sq ft. Occupancy is anticipated for 2009."

Also I just found that the bellevue tower website has a construction site camera updated every day. http://www.bellevuetowers.com/

For the record, both Bellevue Towers and Washington Square each have their own threads. Seems everyone is dumping into this one, but more info is available there. You just have to look a bit harder to find these threads.

Also, as far as web cams, I've found the following on active Seattle projects: 4 Seasons http://lewisbuilds.oxblue.com/cam1/, Olive 8 http://216.163.80.83:8080/webcam.html, 1521 2nd http://www.1521progress.com/webcam_live.php, Enso http://sellen.oxblue.com/1/, Rollins Street http://vulcan.oxblue.com/rollins/, Veer Lofts http://vulcan.oxblue.com/veer/, and Swedish Orthopedic Building http://sellen.oxblue.com/soi/. And in Bellevue: Bellevue Towers http://www.bellevuetowers.com/and the Bravern http://68.178.124.204/index.html?size=1&mode=2.

Panel's big plans for a big space: Bel-Red Corridor

By Ashley Bach

Seattle Times Eastside bureau

Information

Final report of Bel-Red Corridor Steering Committee:

www.ci.bellevue.wa.us
More Eastside News

Muckleshoots to own iconic Salish Lodge

Chilifest will spice up life at Bothell funeral home

Panel's big plans for a big space: Bel-Red Corridor

Snoqualmie Valley School Board candidates agree on need for bond

State Patrol: Collisions increase with rain

Temporary judge removed from cases

After two years of work, a Bellevue city steering committee has unveiled an ambitious plan for the Bel-Red Corridor that includes high-rise buildings around light-rail stations, an arts district and possibly a recreational sports complex.

City Council members, who discussed the plan Monday night, said a flurry of requests had come in from residents in and around Bellevue for ballfields in the corridor. Others have voiced concern that some of the planned buildings would be too tall.

The 900-acre corridor, just east of downtown, is full of aging warehouses, retail space and office parks — and is probably the city's last chance to make development changes over such a large area.

This has led city officials to dream about projects that wouldn't be conceivable anywhere else. The sports complex being discussed could include an aquatic center, several ballfields and a community facility for indoor sports, such as soccer or basketball.

"This is probably the only place where you can have that scale and scope," said Parks Director Patrick Foran.

The steering committee wants an additional 4.5 million square feet of commercial space and 5,000 housing units over the 25 years.

The council isn't expected to sign off on a final plan until next spring or summer.

Over the next four or five months, the city's boards and commissions will consider how to implement the plan, which offers only a blueprint for the corridor.

Some highlights of the committee's plan:

• Two large clusters of mixed-use development around light-rail stations at 122nd and 130th avenues northeast. At 122nd, development would include housing but would focus on office space; at 130th, construction would include housing and service-oriented businesses, with a pedestrian-oriented retail street.

Smaller clusters would also be built near stations at Overlake Hospital Medical Center in Bellevue; and at 152nd Avenue Northeast, near the Overlake area of Redmond.

Buildings would be up to 150 feet tall, or about 12 stories, in the clusters at 122nd and 130th avenues and at Overlake Hospital. Building heights would probably be capped at about 60 feet elsewhere in the corridor.

• Extension or widening of several streets, including Northeast 16th and 10th streets; 116th, 120th, 124th avenues northeast; and 136th Place Northeast.

• An arts district, with studio and rehearsal space, built around 136th Place, near the Pacific Northwest Ballet school.

The plan assumes that voters will approve an Eastside light-rail line as part of a "Roads & Transit" measure on the Nov. 6 ballot. If the measure fails, Bellevue city officials may have to rework the plan, though many of the changes could work with another kind of transit, such as a rapid bus line, the committee said.

Ashley Bach: 206-464-2567 or abach@seattletimes.com

^^ one more reason to vote for light rail right there. hooray for transit oriented development!

http://www.ci.bellevue.wa.us/pdf/PCD/Bel-Red_Corridor_Final_Report.pdf

Better than what I was expecting.

More highrises outside downtown Bellevue, that's really weird for a city that size. Make that 3 areas with skyscrapers....downtown, factoria and bel-red corridor (in the planning stages)

That's exciting news for Bellevue! :) More and more high rise developments for Bellevue! :)

That's exciting news for Bellevue! :) More and more high rise developments for Bellevue! :)

Only if Proposition 1 (Roads and Transit) passes. "Bus Rapid Transit" won't cut it, it was only added to the report because of certain large landowners' opposition to rail.

I don't think if Prop 1 fails that they will need to modify the vision that much. Just plop in 1 or 2 'transit' centers and keep the rest.

I don't think if Prop 1 fails that they will need to modify the vision that much. Just plop in 1 or 2 'transit' centers and keep the rest.

I think the traffic congestion grades east of Bellevue would drop drastically with that kind of development if there were no new transit right of way. They couldn't meet county traffic limits without it - most of those arterials are already clogged for part of the day.

Bel-Red is definitely one of the most exciting developments going on right now in the greater Seattle area. I hope they get a light rail connection, tons of potential there for something really cool!

I found this rendering of One Main Street at seattlecondosandlofts.com. (http://www.seattlecondosandlofts.com/)

http://seattlecondosandlofts.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/onemainstreet.jpg

Here's the project website: http://onemainstreet.com/

Thanks BBoy, that is better looking then the rendering I remember seeing before.

It reminds me of Wa. Square with the brick on the street like that.

Thanks BBoy, that is better looking then the rendering I remember seeing before.

It reminds me of Wa. Square with the brick on the street like that.

Brick on the street as in street made of bricks?

Facade made of brick at street level.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/335150_yahoo12.html

October 11, 2007 3:39 p.m. PT
Yahoo signs big office lease in Bellevue
By TODD BISHOP
P-I REPORTER

Yahoo Inc. has leased a large chunk of office space in downtown Bellevue -- giving itself enough room for 500 to 600 employees a short drive from rival Microsoft Corp.'s headquarters.

The long-rumored lease agreement, at the One Twelfth @ Twelfth complex, was finalized earlier this week, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. Yahoo, of Sunnyvale, Calif., will take four floors in the Bellevue complex's East building.

It won't be a subtle presence: The lease gives Yahoo the right to put its logo on the building, which is visible from Interstate 405.

The presence should put Yahoo in a better position to recruit engineers in the Seattle region. Google has followed a similar strategy with offices in Kirkland and Fremont, attracting a large number of Microsoft employees and University of Washington computer-science graduates.

In establishing the office, Yahoo may be "making a show of force, if you will," said economist Dick Conway, co-publisher of the Puget Sound Economic Forecaster. He pointed out that it would be easier for a rival to lure Microsoft employees and others from the region to a branch office here, rather than requiring them to relocate to the Bay Area.

One of Yahoo's recent hires in the region was a longtime Microsoft employee, Korby Parnell, who took a job as a senior product manager on the Yahoo Platforms & Technology team. Parnell said previously that he plans to remain in the Seattle region.

Up to this point, Yahoo had a relatively small presence in the region, with only a handful of employees. A Yahoo spokeswoman declined to comment on the lease Thursday afternoon, saying the company is in a quiet period before its quarterly earnings release next week.

The Yahoo lease is for 115,000 square feet on floors three through six of the building, at Northeast 12th Street and 112th Avenue Northeast, said the person familiar with the deal. That's slightly less space than the company had originally been rumored to be leasing.

Yahoo is expected to move into one floor within 90 days, and it will take possession of the rest of the floors in stages over the next year.

In the meantime, Yahoo is also leasing 15,000 square feet of temporary space in another building in the same Bellevue complex, to give itself extra room.

The broader Yahoo lease is the latest in a series of big real estate moves by technology giants in the Seattle region, and on the Eastside in particular.

Microsoft leased two Bellevue complexes in April. That will give the software company room for an additional 4,000 employees, in addition to the more than 35,000 it already employs in the region. Subsequently, the company announced plans to expand in Seattle, as well.

And in August, Google confirmed plans to lease a 195,000-square-foot, three-building campus under development in Kirkland. The Mountain View, Calif., search giant, which expanded to Kirkland in 2004, already employs more than 400 people at a separate location in the Eastside city.

^^^ Dammit Bond! I was just going to post this story :gaah:

http://bp2.blogger.com/_s4aJXdEQ3p8/Rw3Yxhn9CxI/AAAAAAAAAn8/rLIia0Ggo7Q/s1600/IMG_0894.jpg

http://bp0.blogger.com/_s4aJXdEQ3p8/Rw3YuBn9CwI/AAAAAAAAAn0/fFuOJVLwpmU/s1600/IMG_0893.jpg

http://bp0.blogger.com/_s4aJXdEQ3p8/Rw3Y_Bn9CyI/AAAAAAAAAoE/JBUHrEDSif8/s1600/IMG_0896.jpg

http://www.downtownbellevue.net/

^
Y'know, I almost wish they would make one of those towers shorter. I'm gonna get tired of all these towers which are about the same height.

Some updates needed for the first page:

Eddie Bauer Tower is complete
One Main Street is u/c
Add Metro 112 to list of u/c, here's a rendering

http://bp0.blogger.com/_s4aJXdEQ3p8/RqT_aKheEBI/AAAAAAAAASM/zDUALX3AyaQ/s1600/142_lg2_Metro-112_02.jpg

^
Done!

Don't know how I missed the Eddie Bauer Tauer of Flauer Pauer for so long.

What's the status on Metro 112? Are they in demo or actually digging?

^ They've finished clearing the site and appear to be digging now

^ They've finished clearing the site and appear to be digging now

How tall's this tower?

I think it's 13 stories, but that's stairstepping up the hill. The tall part is at the top of the hill on 111th I think, and it's about 10 stories from the street.

I think it's 13 stories, but that's stairstepping up the hill. The tall part is at the top of the hill on 111th I think, and it's about 10 stories from the street.

It's built on a hill?

^
Y'know, I almost wish they would make one of those towers shorter. I'm gonna get tired of all these towers which are about the same height.

I agree completely with you. They can make it taller too. :)

^
Y'know, I almost wish they would make one of those towers shorter. I'm gonna get tired of all these towers which are about the same height.

Blasphemy!! They should make the towers taller, of course. :) Although I'm not sure what towers you are specifically talking about.

Blasphemy!! They should make the towers taller, of course. :) Although I'm not sure what towers you are specifically talking about.
I was talking about the 2 planned towers where the Safeway and Bartell's are now.

I actually don't care if they make one of the towers taller than currently planned, or one shorter than currently planned, as long as they have differential heights. It's just gonna get boring with all these towers the same height.

One question, height limits change in different areas right? Like the limit in central central DT is going to be different than let's say...beyond Bel-square? Yes? no?

One question, height limits change in different areas right? Like the limit in central central DT is going to be different than let's say...beyond Bel-square? Yes? no?
http://www.ci.bellevue.wa.us/zoning_map.htm

^^Ah thank you very much. I still don't find the height limits though. Unless those zoning designation are supposed to say something...I don't understand that...oh well I'll find out sooner or later :) But thanks anyway.

I passed City Center today. They seem to have put up glass panels for at least 10 floors now from where I could see (Southbound 405). Looking great :)

There's a building going up in Eastgate, not the one with four cranes near the Volkswagen/Subaru dealer, but another one that's just off to the right of WB I-90 after you pass the Park and Ride. I recall two of them still covered. Any idea what those are?

The one right next to the park and ride is a new hotel. I dont recall the name but theres info on it in the archives at downtownbellevue.net

The one right next to the park and ride is a new hotel. I dont recall the name but theres info on it in the archives at downtownbellevue.net

Another hotel??? Hmmm but this one's kinda out in the middle of nowhere...

Well, its right in the middle of all those office parks. Theres actually quite a bit of demand in that area as there are hundreds of business travelers every week in that Eastgate area.

One question, height limits change in different areas right? Like the limit in central central DT is going to be different than let's say...beyond Bel-square? Yes? no?
To answer simply, yes.

Height limits even differ in Downtown, from the 405 corridor to Bellevue Way.

We need to make a petition, or somehow get Bellevue's attention and tell them to raise height limits if possible.

We need to make a petition, or somehow get Bellevue's attention and tell them to raise height limits if possible.

For some reason, does it seem like redevelopment plans for cities all over the area include a slight increase in height limits instead of a dramatic increase? Seattle's growing rapidly, and to stop sprawl, we need denser, taller buildings, especially for our city centers.

For some reason, does it seem like redevelopment plans for cities all over the area include a slight increase in height limits instead of a dramatic increase? Seattle's growing rapidly, and to stop sprawl, we need denser, taller buildings, especially for our city centers.

Seattle streets are not very wide though. If we have two humungo buildings on both sides, it kinda takes out the sky...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/pwright1/seattle6/oct152007289Medium.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v453/pwright1/seattle6/oct152007288Medium.jpg

Great shots! Look at Bellevue towers go!

Seattle streets are not very wide though. If we have two humungo buildings on both sides, it kinda takes out the sky...

I like it that way.

pwright, thanks for the pictures! Love the never-before-seen SE shot.

Seattle streets are not very wide though. If we have two humungo buildings on both sides, it kinda takes out the sky...

I actually meant the Seattle metropolitan area in general, not just Seattle. Already-developed "sprawl cities" (such as Everett, Lynnwood, Bothell, Monroe, Marysville, Issaquah, Redmond, etc.) should consider raising height limits to stop sprawl from reaching further and further from Seattle.

Love the pictures, by the way! :)

Haven't been to Bellevue in more than two years, really should go there sometime.

Love the shots!

Mhays, you don't like the sky? lol

I like the warming cocoon of buildings all around me, turning the street into a public living room... Also I generally go to the shady side.

I visited New York in December for maybe the fourth time. It wasn't impressing me all that much until the last day, when I took a long walk that included a few miles of Madison Avenue. Nice narrow street with tall buildings along much of its length. Heaven.

Hahaha sounds cool. I haven't actually experienced the "cocoon" yet. But I've always admired Bellevue for the open space.

Hahaha sounds cool. I haven't actually experienced the "cocoon" yet. But I've always admired Bellevue for the open space.

I think you have to have some balance. Endless trenches or cocoons of buildings can be too much sometimes. Awesome update shots pwright1!

I like the warming cocoon of buildings all around me, turning the street into a public living room... Also I generally go to the shady side.

I visited New York in December for maybe the fourth time. It wasn't impressing me all that much until the last day, when I took a long walk that included a few miles of Madison Avenue. Nice narrow street with tall buildings along much of its length. Heaven.

I agree with you. I love rows of tall buildings. It shows the success of the city I live in. I like open space too but this entire region is open space...

I agree with you. I love rows of tall buildings. It shows the success of the city I live in. I like open space too but this entire region is open space...

Hmmmm I would like Seattle to be the cocoon but I like Bellevue to remain a little more...well...open and environmental-friendly I guess. I agree with Akira, too much can be a little overwhelming. There needs to be a break somewhere. I've noticed that in some big cities like New York, the most places that you don't have huge cocoons are pretty bum, like areas of Queens and some more run-down area. I certainly hope Seattle's not going in that direction. I've seen enough graffiti on our bridges as it is.

Huge densities don't correspond to graffiti. Graffiti goes to places that get unused at night.

graffitis always occups anywhere no matter how busy or quiet area is.

I agree with Crazyaboutcities....I have seen graffitis in busy areas, so it doesn't matter at all. They even do that on trains in very busy New York City.

I agree with Crazyaboutcities....I have seen graffitis in busy areas, so it doesn't matter at all. They even do that on trains in very busy New York City.

Exactly!

Isn't there a law on Graffiti? I normally don't see graffiti on more upscale buildings. It's mostly on older brick-made buildings.

Isn't there a law on Graffiti? I normally don't see graffiti on more upscale buildings. It's mostly on older brick-made buildings.

Like Pioneer Square?

Isn't there a law on Graffiti? I normally don't see graffiti on more upscale buildings. It's mostly on older brick-made buildings.

I have. I seen it on Pacific Place, Washington Mutual Tower, and Two Union Square complex before.

I there was ever graffiti in DT Bellevue I am sure that you'd hear about it on the news.

I there was ever graffiti in DT Bellevue I am sure that you'd hear about it on the news.

Or Kemper Freeman would do something about it.

^^ haha yeah he'd make it headline news. Isn't there a law on Graffiti? A law that isn't enforced?

Anyways, saw the news today, Puget Sound energy is going private and one of the employees there said they would need power "for two cities the size of Seattle" in a couple years. That's a big statement right there. Are we really growing that fast?

Downtown is growing very rapidly. Not neccisarily faster than downtown Seattle, but still fast as hell. The city, in general, isnt growing very fast at all.

Ness Crane is removing the tower crane at Tower 333 today (Saturday) with their 300t lattice truck crane. This crane has a total of 472' of vertical reach with it's full luffing boom attached.

^^ haha yeah he'd make it headline news. Isn't there a law on Graffiti? A law that isn't enforced?

Anyways, saw the news today, Puget Sound energy is going private and one of the employees there said they would need power "for two cities the size of Seattle" in a couple years. That's a big statement right there. Are we really growing that fast?

I think so. It is seen like it is not on the cops' top priorities to bust taggers. Graffiti don't hurt people but only vandal to properties.

Downtown is growing very rapidly. Not neccisarily faster than downtown Seattle, but still fast as hell. The city, in general, isnt growing very fast at all.

Eh, Downtown Bellevue has enough projects in the works to triple its population. I don't think Seattle is growing that fast...

Eh, Downtown Bellevue has enough projects in the works to triple its population. I don't think Seattle is growing that fast...

Well Bellevue has a smaller population than Seattle so it's probably not fair to say that Bellevue has enough projects to triple the population. To triple Seattle's population would probably require growth many times faster than Bellevue's.