Nice!

Here is a new shot from Yesterday.
http://aycu39.webshots.com/image/34718/2000719606405106764_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2000719606405106764)
http://aycu36.webshots.com/image/34275/2000792213536748627_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2000792213536748627)
http://aycu21.webshots.com/image/31220/2002548006864624567_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2002548006864624567)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2226/1850636999_3e4b852dd5.jpg

Awesome pictures! Thanks for sharing! Olive8 sure growing up so fast! Finally!

Looks like the hotel portion of the elevator core has topped out. Only a couple floors before the condo portion commences.

I passed that site today, I'm surprised how fast this construction process and it is rising faster than The Olivian. I really like the glass panels that are getting installed on Olive8. It is looking like it will be one of Seattle's most beautiful mixed uses skyscrapers! :)

I passed that site today, I'm surprised how fast this construction process and it is rising faster than The Olivian. I really like the glass panels that are getting installed on Olive8. It is looking like it will be one of Seattle's most beautiful mixed uses skyscrapers! :)

Thats understandable that its moving faster than the Olivian. The Olivian's floor plate fills the whole half block with many complex incuts. The Olive 8s floor plate is a quarter block square.

Thats understandable that its moving faster than the Olivian. The Olivian's floor plate fills the whole half block with many complex incuts. The Olive 8s floor plate is a quarter block square.

That made sense. A while ago, we were expecting that The Olivians would rise faster than Olive8 when they slowed down a bit for a while before they got faster on this project.

I used to think the olivian would rise much faster, but I am happy to be proven wrong.

I like the glass on o8, however, in all the marketing materials the ovals and white fritted glass are much more pronounced. I wonder if they were planning to be bolder but then someone chickened out. Maybe once the building is lit from within they will stand out more.
I still love the way its turning out.

Agree data, thought it would be more pronounced as well, although I think it will look quite nice once it is nicely backlit, finished off (vs. the current fireproofed I-beams you see) and cleaned up (at least every time I have been past, the glass is caked in dust). We'll see where the blue comes into play as well... cant wait to see more! :)

Then again, when was the last time a building actually ended up being/looking more spectacular than its rendering?

I think as Seattle condos go, it will be a nice addition since it is so modern, sleek and pronounced. Not bulky and awkward like most of the mid rise condos.

Check out the lastest web cam on this. This week they're pouring the top hotel floor (if I'm counting correctly). They've pulled back on the camera angle so now you can see more. Not only is Olive 8 working, but you can see across the street progress on Olivian Tower. You can also see 818 Stewart and in the distance even Mirabella.

http://216.163.80.83:8080/webcam.html

By the way, did anyone notice the tacky backlit MIRABELLA sign that I guess will eventually label the building. It's not up yet but is perched above a ped walkway or something. Tacky!!

By the way, did anyone notice the tacky backlit MIRABELLA sign that I guess will eventually label the building. It's not up yet but is perched above a ped walkway or something. Tacky!!

Maybe it's so the old folks can find their way home?

Maybe it's so the old folks can find their way home?

hahahahaha

just laughed out loud at work...

They never have to find their way home - if they're never let out!

Let the pummeling begin (humor intended).

TOO SOON!

Has anyone else seen the latest installed glass? They've started the hotel room levels. Looks like solid glass, but the panes are frosted white around the edges (like winter holiday-like). It really looks cool in my opinion.

By the way, they should be pouring the first residential floor the end of this week. The hotel floors are done!

So far it's not looking as blue as in the renderings. But it might be too early to tell.

I hate the windows, the white checkered board which will be formed is going to look gross. I walk past this site almost daily and I have not heard one good comment from any of my co-workers or bystanders....

i like it

Speaking of glass - the glass going on 1521 2nd Ave is really dark/reflective from what I've seen so far on alley side. Not just at the parking levels but it looks like even the first residential levels facing the Market. I'm really glad I don't live in a tinted glass building. Sometimes it's not so bad if it just looks dark and depressing from the outside but it really sucks if from the inside it's always an overcast day. We'll see how this develops.

I noticed the most recent renderings of Olive 8 show the hotel to be white but the condos are more blue. Like the balconies have glass railings.

I hate the windows, the white checkered board which will be formed is going to look gross. I walk past this site almost daily and I have not heard one good comment from any of my co-workers or bystanders....


too early to judge.....

Speaking of glass - the glass going on 1521 2nd Ave is really dark/reflective from what I've seen so far on alley side. Not just at the parking levels but it looks like even the first residential levels facing the Market. I'm really glad I don't live in a tinted glass building. Sometimes it's not so bad if it just looks dark and depressing from the outside but it really sucks if from the inside it's always an overcast day. We'll see how this develops.

I totaly disagree....I like tinted glass way better than clear or lightly tinted windows, it looks better and the curtains (or shades) are not as visible from the outside.....not to mention, it gives the building more of a presence...meridian and crisatlla are great examples...those builsings have character and stand out amongst other condo towers with run of the mill lighter tints...I work at two union square (dark blue tinted windows) and the glass does not erode the quality of the views at all, it actually makes for a very comfortable working environment....

AVA is actually opting for lighter colored windows unlike the rendering displays...AVA will not look nearly as good as it does in the rendering at completition....

Check out the lastest web cam on this. This week they're pouring the top hotel floor (if I'm counting correctly). They've pulled back on the camera angle so now you can see more. Not only is Olive 8 working, but you can see across the street progress on Olivian Tower. You can also see 818 Stewart and in the distance even Mirabella.

http://216.163.80.83:8080/webcam.html

By the way, did anyone notice the tacky backlit MIRABELLA sign that I guess will eventually label the building. It's not up yet but is perched above a ped walkway or something. Tacky!!

its smart marketing....you can't miss it when you drive/walk by...especially at night.....building the buzz.....

I'm happy with dark glass. It allows you to leave the blinds open during the day without people seeing in. (And witnessing my criminal activities of course!)

^
Yeah, but that's moot considering the multiple nanny-cams I've installed around your place. I'll PM you with the bank account number to which you can wire a hefty sum, lest said tapes end up in the hands of the polizei!

Anyway, back on topic, how's 'bout some update shots of this so-called "glass!" I'd love to see what it looks like.

I totaly disagree....I like tinted glass way better than clear or lightly tinted windows, it looks better and the curtains (or shades) are not as visible from the outside....

I completely agree with this. One thing I don't like much about Bellevue's Lincoln Square Tower is that you can see all the shades at all their various heights. it looks unorganized and almost trashy.

I also agree; the worst (best?) example of this shades/blinds ugliness is the Chase Tower in Lower Manhattan. It looks like some awful, 750 tall, blue/black/gray quilt. That being said, I do like the overall profile of Lincoln Tower in Bellevue, and it has enough tint to minimize the effect.

^
Yeah, but that's moot considering the multiple nanny-cams I've installed around your place. I'll PM you with the bank account number to which you can wire a hefty sum, lest said tapes end up in the hands of the polizei!

Anyway, back on topic, how's 'bout some update shots of this so-called "glass!" I'd love to see what it looks like.

Yeah, PM me with a bank account number! That's how I'll reel you in. As for the tapes, I'm simply baking a very, very large amount of...very small cakes.

On the glass issue, I don't mind the varied blinds and curtains. It makes a building look lived in.

Everyone keep in mind that the windows installed are those of the hotel rooms (predictably each with the same window coverings). I think they have something else in mind for the condos.

One of my co-workers said the new glass on Olive 8 reminded him of Mario(from nintendo)... "yeah come on over to my apartment and 'warp' to level 6"

=)

Anyone remember the tubes from that game?

it looks like they have now topped out the hotel floors.....anyone care to speculate when this builing will be prepared for occupancy?

my guess:
Summer 2009

Strange. 7:30pm and they are still pouring cement. This is the topping out of the hotel (or the bottoming up of the condos?).

By the way, I'm REALLY liking the look of the glass facading on the hotel rooms. Nothing like this in Seattle!!

And I'm going to go aggressive and say ready by end of 2008/start of 2009.

I'd say Summer,09.

Hah! If youre lucky.

I heard Olive 8 was on fire this afternoon. But its out now.

WHAT?!?!?!?!?

Well if it was it must have been small. Looking at the web cam the top floor is all lit up and they are working on it as of 9 tonight.

There were several blogs that reported the fire... Seattlest had "live" coverage of it.

http://seattlest.com/

OK I went by this today to check out the latest glass on the outside. And I have to officially proclaim I'm disappointed it doesn't look as blue as it did in the renderings. :(

The blue element comes into play on the condo floors and the street level canopies....it will be awhile before we see the blues.....

^
Yeah but even on the bottom floors in the rendering it looks pretty blue. But not when you go there to see it. :(

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b142/Dancer-2/Architecture1_big.jpg

there is more than one rendering....just wait it out......

I still say the white looks pretty sharp. Certainly not a dull boring gray building.

I recall the sales office had stated that the building would be quite a bit more white then the rendering above. If I rcall, there was an interview with the architect stating it was time for Seattle to have another iconic white building, like the Smith Tower... looks real good so far to me at least :)

I like the glass coverings with decorative circle-shaped openings; really adds something special to the overall building. Plus all the glass really makes the building look great; maybe if it's going to be as blue as in the rendering above, it would be really special.

Overall, I still like it.

there are vertical blue glass fins that have not yet been added to the hotel portion which will add more "blueness" to the project.

^
Well I hope you're right. I want blue. :(

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2083/2182381246_dcc7da2eec_o.jpg

Looking good! Can't wait to see the Ava start up too.

I just read this whole thread (well most of it). It's really interesting to go back to the beginning when we were all excited about this project. Then a few months in, we were all wondering what happened to the pace and progress. Funny how things change.

By my calculation, the hotel floors took about 3 months to complete. I would assume a topping out on this sometime this summer?

Last word I hear was that the hotel was due to open in November. I'm pretty sure the Four Seasons will open before all interior construction is finished on their condo units, but do you think that can happen with the Hyatt with so much more work to be done?

I don't understand the gradient on those glass panels. Ugly, imho. :ohno:

I went to my dentist today and his office looks down onto Olive 8 from the north. I like the windows so far. It's the blue I'm concerned about. I hope it's not as harsh as in the renderings. The two kinds of windows that are on so far are very subtle.

Once the lights come on in the lobby, the rendering will make more sense......The first 4 floors are going to take on a new look when the building is lit up.......

...I dunno, something tells me that O8 is gonna turn out a lot nicer than the render shows it to look.

That whole area will look great. I have high hopes for Olivian and AVA as well. Now, what to do with the block kitty korner from Olive 8!

There's a nice mixed-use brick building. The Greyhound station and parking lot on the other hand ought to be redeveloped.

agreed. if you have ever been inside that building you'd know just how badly that needs to happen. it seems like with little creative engineering the greyhound station could stay there too.

I believe Hedreen, the developer of Olive 8, owns the Greyhound lot as well as the lot that the current O8 sales center is on, and has plans to develop it at some point in the near future. I had heard it could be condos or office, but nothing has been determined yet. It will probably block some views from O8, so given that it is the same developer, hopefully they will try to be sensitive to that when they design the building.

^^^
confirmed, the greyhound station is going to be razed, I would not expet anything for 4-5 years though.....they are still considering their development options.....

Great news! That station is a rat trap.

I say move the bus station to SODO, somewhere near a light rail stop. It would fit in better down there.

I say move the bus station to SODO, somewhere near a light rail stop. It would fit in better down there.

Excellent idea.^^

How about near King Street Station. Always good to batch modes of transportation. I think it to be a natural.

In other news, if you read the PI's weekly transportation article, it sounds like the north side of the Pine Street overpass might finally get a sidewalk. Imagine that...a huge pedestrian-commuter corridor building facilities for pedestrians on BOTH sides. Yes, the sarcasm is INTENTIONAL.

I'd love the Greyhound station to move close to King Street and Union Stations. It would be far more convenient for passengers. They also have pretty good freeway access if it's a bit south. Apparently some people in the neighborhood don't want the riff raff that comes with it though.

On the other hand, we should support viable bus service. That's the best long-distance "public transit" we have to a lot of smaller cities. If service was improved and expanded, it would be a lot more popular with middle-income people too. I'd use it.

I couldn't find the PI article. Do you have a link, Mhays?

Excellent idea.^^

Not only would it be an excellent idea to put it near light rail, the direct transit access ramps planned for the Spokane Street Viaduct rebuild would seriously benefit long-distance buses.

In the PI, look under "transportation" and find "pine street zigzag".

For Greyhound, I suspect they'd use Atlantic Street, not Spokane Street if it was around the stadiums.

In the PI, look under "transportation" and find "pine street zigzag".

For Greyhound, I suspect they'd use Atlantic Street, not Spokane Street if it was around the stadiums.

For north or eastbound, sure - but for southbound, given likely traffic, having access to the E3 Busway and (future) direct access ramps would be a big deal!

Personally, I think the best spot for a Greyhound station would be at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean...


I kid, I kid--but would anybody really miss their snail-paced service or any of the riff-raff that it brings to town?

How else would people travel cheaply? There's got to be a way.

i actually travel by bus to spokane whenever i go solo. saves the earth and i don't have to worry about being behind the wheel for 5 hours. however, it's much cheaper to drive if you have multiple people to pay gas.

the bus gets a bad rap but normal people use it too ;-)

still waiting on that bullet train...

Yeah I take the "shame train" to Spokane too. Quite convenient and they also lowered some of their rates last summer, I believe.

Haha a convenient bullet train linking Spokane to Seattle thereby increasing economic vitality of our two cities? I laugh.:bash:

Spokane would have to be five times as large for a bullet train to make sense. Or something like that.

What would be cool is a West Coast bullet train linking So CA to the Bay Area to the NW. Four stops only (LA, SF, Portland and Seattle). How fast can those puppies go?

A bullet train?! Thats exactly what we need to finally propel this country into the 20th century!!

would anybody really miss their snail-paced service or any of the riff-raff that it brings to town?

This is my least-favorite aspect of this board, the crapping on the lower and lower-middle classes that goes on here. People of all walks need transportation options. The train from Vancouver runs what, once a day? I've relied on Greyhound more than I've liked to in order to get back from Canada, and while I haven't savored the experience, at least it's been there when I haven't had the money to fly.

I think Vancouver might be two trains daily, and Portland five.

A TVG-type bullet train in the I-5 corridor would be ideal. But SF is a bit far. Trains do best in a certain range, which I think might be 100-500 miles. As that distance gets toward the top end, the benefits fall off. Of course, the actual figures are different now than they were pre-9/11, and they vary dramatically by construction cost for the line, how the stations are located within the cities, airline ticket prices, and so on.

Based on what little I think I understand, I'm guessing 120 mph service from Vancouver to Portland would be achievable with a reasonably-strong push. It might stop at Vancouver, Bellingham, Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, and Portland (maybe Everett and VanWA too?). Let a separate slower service go to several additional cities like Chehalis and so on. Let the "express" I'm describing go 7 or 8 times per day in each direction, with a similar number of "locals".

Buses should serve these same places as a cheaper alternative. And they should serve lots of routes the trains don't cover, like a circle around the Olympic Peninsula, the I-90 corridor, the Tri-Cities, and so on.

Isnt there a really fast train that takes the corridor to Vancouver, BC already? Ive seen it before but dont remember the details but that thing really takes off.


And yeah..Olive 8.

Spokane would have to be five times as large for a bullet train to make sense. Or something like that.

The same argument can be made for I-90. :)

Isnt there a really fast train that takes the corridor to Vancouver, BC already? Ive seen it before but dont remember the details but that thing really takes off.


And yeah..Olive 8.
No. I've taken the one train (Amtrak) from BC. It clippity clops along at regular speed. Maybe max speed of 50?

Im excited about the Leavenworth Amtrak station going in this fall. Ive talked to friends and it sounds like a city people would actually prefer taking rail to visit. Totally convenient especially in winter.

I like the way you think....

yeah something Euro about that...which is convenient since its Leavenworth.:cheers:

No. I've taken the one train (Amtrak) from BC. It clippity clops along at regular speed. Maybe max speed of 50?

Yeah, it takes about 4 hours each way with a bunch of stops. I really enjoyed if though. The views are much more impressive than taking 5 all the way up.

Im excited about the Leavenworth Amtrak station going in this fall. Ive talked to friends and it sounds like a city people would actually prefer taking rail to visit. Totally convenient especially in winter.

This is great news. Not having to drive on highway 2 is such a nice thought. I hate that highway.


btw, why is this in the Olive 8 thread lol

Personally, I think the best spot for a Greyhound station would be at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean...


I kid, I kid--but would anybody really miss their snail-paced service or any of the riff-raff that it brings to town?

Are you serious? When I visited family in south NJ last summer I was able to see NYC and Boston only because of those "snail-paced riff-raff" buses. I wish more people would use Greyhound. It's a great form of transportation.

I traveled about 8,000 miles on Greyhound in 1987. It was low-class but perfectly ok for an 18-year-old backpacker seeing the country. Actually Seattle's terminal stood out as a terrible one compared to a lot of much nicer ones around the country. Houston's was great for example.

Cool, but Olive 8, it's really lookin good!

Are you serious? When I visited family in south NJ last summer I was able to see NYC and Boston only because of those "snail-paced riff-raff" buses. I wish more people would use Greyhound. It's a great form of transportation.

I am serious. I've taken Greyhound many times--and my main complaint was that it turned a normally 3 hour trip (by car) into a 10 hour trip. I can understand its appeal however, and it definitely serves a purpose, but I could still go the rest of my life without ever taking another Greyhound. But that's just me. I'm one of those types that prefers to get to my destination as quickly as possible.

On a different note, I'd love to see a Portland, Seattle, Vancouver Maglev line (with eventual extension clear to San Diego) someday.

So yeah... olive 8....

I am serious. I've taken Greyhound many times--and my main complaint was that it turned a normally 3 hour trip (by car) into a 10 hour trip. I can understand its appeal however, and it definitely serves a purpose, but I could still go the rest of my life without ever taking another Greyhound. But that's just me. I'm one of those types that prefers to get to my destination as quickly as possible.

On a different note, I'd love to see a Portland, Seattle, Vancouver Maglev line (with eventual extension clear to San Diego) someday.


I agree with your whole post....it took me 12 hours to get from Pullman to Seattle once when I was back in college....

So yeah... olive 8....

Indeed. Poured the 20th floor last night :D

From today:

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h17/seasun_01/2008-01-19O8view.jpg

Looks like one mistaken vertical bar of white frit near the corner:

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h17/seasun_01/2008-01-19O8.jpg

That window pattern looks like a cartoon or something. Well, I suppose at least it's different. Will reserve judgment until it's done.

God, I'm loving this!! The windows are different! Finally something new!

Really good-looking. The 'olive' pattern isn't showing up so well, at least from this angle in this light. But overall..it looks better than the rendering!

the olive effect begins when the lights come on......

I'm definitely a fan!!

I like it a lot.

its....weird. like someone said, it looks like a cartoon or something

and that one window out of place is funny....

I'm sure the window was put in place just to close the gap. Probably there is a lot of broken glass that needs to be replaced as they go. I would think they would replace it later. But I think the Blue Glazing Glass above will look sharp.

Those white window frostings look like the green tubes from Super Mario Brothers. Save the princess!

Maybe the architects were trying to draw some local inspiration, and discovered that Nintendo of America is headquarted a few miles across the lake? :)

It more reminds me of the waterpipes bit of Sim City. Each of those grids is now properly watered and powered now :D

Those white window frostings look like the green tubes from Super Mario Brothers. Save the princess!

ha! thats exactly it

I am serious. I've taken Greyhound many times--and my main complaint was that it turned a normally 3 hour trip (by car) into a 10 hour trip. I can understand its appeal however, and it definitely serves a purpose, but I could still go the rest of my life without ever taking another Greyhound. But that's just me. I'm one of those types that prefers to get to my destination as quickly as possible.

On a different note, I'd love to see a Portland, Seattle, Vancouver Maglev line (with eventual extension clear to San Diego) someday.

Maybe it should be extended all the way south to Tijuana or Ensenada, which have a lot of ties with "Anglo" northern cities.

It more reminds me of the waterpipes bit of Sim City. Each of those grids is now properly watered and powered now :D
I wonder if I'm the only other person in this forum that knows EXACTLY what you mean!

I wonder if I'm the only other person in this forum that knows EXACTLY what you mean!

Nope! :lol:

I wonder if I'm the only other person in this forum that knows EXACTLY what you mean!

I used to put my water lines in SC just like that so during an earth quake or other issue - my city would have water...

That was an awesome game.


Btw - I looked for that glass in the picture that was out of place, and it is now replaced. Also look for the crane to be lifted again soon.

On a different note, I'd love to see a Portland, Seattle, Vancouver Maglev line (with eventual extension clear to San Diego) someday.

Support incremental upgrades of what we've got, and you will eventually get full HSR. The Amtrak Cascades long range plan could really use some help.

I love the glass facades! They're SEXY!

OK, the hotel opening has been slated for December and moveins to the condos will START in January.

Interesting article notes buyers can now get guaranteed pricing of their purchased units. Basically if a unit similar to yours is later offered at a lower price, you will also receive that discounted price. Saavy move to keep unit sales steady.


http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/realestatenews/archives/131815.asp

OK, the hotel opening has been slated for December and moveins to the condos will START in January.

Interesting article notes buyers can now get guaranteed pricing of their purchased units. Basically if a unit similar to yours is later offered at a lower price, you will also receive that discounted price. Saavy move to keep unit sales steady.


http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/realestatenews/archives/131815.asp


eh, im on floor 27 and imy guess is that i wont be moving in until may/june 2009

january is VERY aggressive

Probably so. I noticed they were careful to use the word 'start' which means they only need a couple units move-in-ready to honor that. It's still good news, I think.

January my ass.....they are only on floor 24 of 39 as of today. Once it tops out, they will need another year to complete it and start move ins....

I won't be moving in to my 23rd floor unit until the late spring/summer/fall of 2009.....

January my ass.....they are only on floor 24 of 39 as of today. Once it tops out, they will need another year to complete it and start move ins....

I won't be moving in to my 23rd floor unit until the late spring/summer/fall of 2009.....

you might be right, but I tend to disagree. Like you said, there are 15 floors yet to be poured, but the building doesnt need to be topped out for interior work to progress. I walk by the site daily, and the interior work is progressing rapidly, almost ever other day I see plumbing on an entire floor I did not previously, as well as framing. Not to mention it is not uncommon to see workers at the site as late as 10 pm and working on saturdays and sundays. I think they really want that target.
( my opinion is colored with some wishful thinking )

I posted an example of this with the Trump Tower in Chicago, they had their grand opening of their restaurant on the 16th floor and they are still pouring concrete for the last few floors, so it is possible.

good luck

I posted an example of this with the Trump Tower in Chicago, they had their grand opening of their restaurant on the 16th floor and they are still pouring concrete for the last few floors, so it is possible.

I have seen it before in Vancouver B.C. I went there two years ago, I saw one retailer (I forgot the name of it) opened at the street level but the condo tower haven't top out yet.

you might be right, but I tend to disagree. .... Not to mention it is not uncommon to see workers at the site as late as 10 pm and working on saturdays and sundays.

I'm pretty sure that on Super Bowl Sunday I saw the O8 crane working away on something - I thought it was noteworthy because it's rare to have a jobsite open on that day! They are pouring the OT into the project by the looks of it.

I believe it's common to open 6 months after that floor was poured. January sounds reasonable.

By Eric Pryne

Seattle Times business reporter

Related

Archive | The year of the condo in downtown Seattle

In another sign the downtown Seattle condo market has slowed, the developer of the new Olive 8 hotel/condo project is offering prospective buyers a novel guarantee in a bid to boost sales.

It's a variation on the old retail slogan: "We won't be undersold!"

Here's how it works: If someone buys an Olive 8 condo now, and later someone else pays less for a unit in the building with the same floor plan, developer R.C. Hedreen will knock the first buyer's price down to the lower amount at closing.

"We're trying to get people to step up and buy some condos," David Thyer, Hedreen's president, said Wednesday.

"People worry that this isn't the best time to buy. We believe it is."

But Thyer also acknowledged the downtown condo market is "cool or somewhat stagnant."

Olive 8, under construction at Eighth Avenue and Olive Way, will feature 230 high-end condos on 22 floors atop a 17-story Hyatt hotel.

The hotel is to open in December, and condo owners are expected to start moving early next year.

A year ago, Hedreen had sold 175 of the 230 units. Since then, Thyer said, it has sold less than 10.

He attributed the drop-off to fears of recession and the national and regional real-estate downturn.

But he also warned that those waiting for downtown condo prices to drop may have a long wait.

Relatively few buildings are scheduled for completion over the next year, Thyer said.

Prices for projects farther back in the pipeline are likely to rise as construction costs increase, he said, and not every announced project will be built.

Olive 8 is likely to raise prices rather than reduce them, Thyer said.

Remaining condos in the building start at $750,000. Most of the unsold inventory comprises pricier, two-bedroom units.

Jeff Sanford, an analyst at Gardner Johnson, a Seattle real-estate consulting firm, called Olive 8's guarantee a marketing move.

"They're trying to instill confidence in the people who have already bought and the people who are still looking," he said.

Jack Mitchell, of John Paul Mitchell Associates, who has sold downtown condos for more than 30 years, said some prospective buyers at new projects are holding back because they're not certain they could sell their current homes quickly.

Eric Pryne: 206-464-2231 or epryne@seattletimes.com

hope you guys are right.....I'm ready and willing to take bets.....

Wow, I can't believe it's that close to completion. Awesome!

I Drove by on Valentines day nut didn't see the olive shaped holes in the lower part of the building???

I Drove by on Valentines day nut didn't see the olive shaped holes in the lower part of the building???
How fast were you driving?! They're more visible during the day if that makes a difference.

There are little fins on vertical mullions that relate to the rolling olive frits in the glass. The patterned glass versus clear is pretty hard to see in any lighting day or night from my experience. The fins are very noticeable in certain conditions like this. Kind of cool - anyone who notices the little shadow lines will probably wonder why they're there and then look more closely and notice the patterned glass.

Oh yeah - the misplaced white vertical bar is still in place at the right corner of this photo - you just can't see it with the sunlight.

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h17/seasun_01/2008-02-21O8.jpg

I keep thinking the glass at Olive 8 is really, really dusty.

once the building is finished and lit up, the olives will really be obvious

And once the glass is cleaned!!

^Yea it looks pretty dirty, but I'm in love with this tower thus far. It's really gonna stand out in the skyline.

It's a shame it will be hidden from view from so many other buildings near by. Cool of it were on the waterfront.

^^ Yeah I think its would be nice if it located just next to Waterfront. It will be somewhat visible from Capital Hill/First Hill neighborhoods when AVA and The Olivian gets built.

Hey guys, I just wanted to provide an update with a couple of new shots from this afternoon:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2188/2349338482_7fc267c04f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bensch/2349338482/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2413/2349338048_8bffc649d7_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bensch/2349338048/)

I'm really liking that glass.

gap filler :cool:

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/2306/img17011vs3.jpg

Hey Rainier isn't this thing blocking the view from your window at work? ;)

I don't work there anymore thank god! ;)

Ugggh! They started the glasswork on the residential portion this week. Someone tell me I'm wrong. It looks like the smokey dark glass seen on recent office building projects. I thought it was going to be a bit brighter. I'm sure it will look better when they add the blue balconies.

I love the sort of 'busy' look of the buildings in Belltown. All the balconies, it's kind of cool.

Yeah I'm not sure about this, it's pretty disjointed from the hotel glass. Seems like it needs a transition.

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/6410/img2829hk0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I saw the new condo-level glass on this a few days ago and it still isn't as blue as I hoped it would be. :(

The renderings make the balconies REALLY blue. Maybe that is where all the color will come from.

Olive 8 updated their web site to include a bunch of info about their green features, including what will supposedly be the largest green roof in downtown Seattle. Wasn't even aware this would have a green roof, so that is pretty cool.

I agree the condo level glass looks a bit off to me so far. Looking at the rendering again, it does seem fairly close though in that the condo levels have gray glass w/ the blue coming from the balconies. Will have to wait and see... but I do agree it seems to need something to help the transition from hotel to condo.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2384/2403777808_59b9f31bab.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2022/2403779062_e89d89305a.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3164/2403777016_d60d140802.jpg

I walked down Howell yesterday. That's the best view because it shows all three of those projects in a line.

On the initial renderings it looked like the curved facade of the Olivian would be facing east...but it looks like the curve is facing Olive 8. Not as interesting from Cap. Hill or I-5.

The core is close to topping out soon isnt it?

The core is close to topping out soon isnt it?
I think 8 more levels to go. Core has about 4 if I'm counting right.

I took this from the top of the elevator shaft of Mosler yesterday

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b142/Dancer-2/IMG_0910.jpg

Great view! Your so lucky.

Looks like they raised the construction crane for what may be the last time this morning.

I believe they have several more floors to go.

8 if I'm counting right.

Nice photo Dancer!

I was counting that they are about to do the pour for 33. 18th is the amenities deck, so count from there on the webcam and correct me if Im wrong...

Same as my counting. Should pour the roof on June 5th if that's the case.

Some recent photos showing the glass work for the condo floors underway. They are up to 34 now! :)

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k199/blackc5photos/100_1231.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k199/blackc5photos/100_1233.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k199/blackc5photos/100_1232.jpg

Two more. Sorry for the bad lighting on this one:

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k199/blackc5photos/100_1228.jpg

Hotel interior well under way:

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k199/blackc5photos/100_1229.jpg

Enjoy!

Thanks for the pics. I'm surprised the transistion between hotel and condo glass isn't better detailed. It's like the pipe motif of the hotel glass just gets chopped off at the first condo floor. If the vertical pipes ended in a "T" at the first condo floor and not a chopped off "+" it seems like it would have looked a little more classy. Oh well.

Thanks for the pics. I'm surprised the transistion between hotel and condo glass isn't better detailed. It's like the pipe motif of the hotel glass just gets chopped off at the first condo floor. If the vertical pipes ended in a "T" at the first condo floor and not a chopped off "+" it seems like it would have looked a little more classy. Oh well.

i was thinking the exact same thing, i noticed it on the transition from the lower floors to the "pipes" as well. it just looks incomplete.

i'm sure they'll do something to fix it...

Like before... Its probably just temp glass and will be replaced later. I really like the glass.

i was thinking the exact same thing, i noticed it on the transition from the lower floors to the "pipes" as well. it just looks incomplete.

i'm sure they'll do something to fix it...

I think it's much more kick-ass the way it is!

Its starting to take on a sort of ice cubish look, in that its so angular and rigid, but so fluid and translucent.... Anyone else know what Im saying?

I really like the high reflective quality of the windows on the residential portion. It make a great contrast to the two types of glass used on the floors below. I am dreading however the blue balconies. I hoping that they are a lot more subtle than what is featured in the renderings. They were the reason I decided not to buy there.

I hope the blue balconies are very pronounced....I think it will set the building off along with the roof line, awnings, and blue accent fins on the facade....must admit, this is turning out to be a very creative building....It honestly didn't meet my excepctation at the first 18 floors but now I'm very impressed with the current results.....

^^I agree with you on that!

Hello all....its been over a year since I've visited this forum. Glad you are all still here and excited about O8.

Is anyone else going to the hardhat tour today? I'll take some picture and post them if no one else does.

See you there!

I had to go downtown today to get a new memory card for my camera so even though it is a crappy day I thought I would snap a few shots anyway.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b142/Dancer-2/PICT0003.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b142/Dancer-2/PICT0014-2.jpg

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b142/Dancer-2/PICT0020-1.jpg

I took the onsite buyer tour on Saturday...went up to the 27th floor...views are better than expected despite being so close to the qwest building.....very surprised.....the whole place looks great.....contractor confimed with profound confidence that the hotel will open by Christmas.....

i was up there too, pretty impressed with the views. those western views are beautiful. was also suprised that you could see the cascades from the 27th floor...

i wish i would have taken my camera. any of you guys snap pics?

i can't see the hotel opening by december.

I have some photos and will add them later this evening. Overall I was very impressed with the tour - both in terms of everything they showed us, as well as the great (better than expected) views. The 18th floor amenity area is going be pretty awesome I think, and I was happy to see that both the pool and fitness areas were larger than I expected. All in all it seems like they are really striving for a top-quality building!

amenty area will be ok...would have been WAY better on the roof. imagine the views out to the sound...

im excited to see the lobby areas. stone walls with wood paneled ceilings.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b142/Dancer-2/PICT0020-1.jpg


Wow! Civic Square is done already?!?! :nuts:

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b142/Dancer-2/PICT0020-1.jpg


actually, thats a great picture to show where they want to put that 19 unit 440 footer.

http://noisetank.com/hugeasscity/2008/03/02/so-un-seattle/

http://noisetank.com/hugeasscity/images/trophy_building.jpg

Where NW trophy is in the picture?

wouldn't that be amazing!

The base is as tall as the hotel! What would be inside??

Here are the promised photos from the O8 hardhat tour. I have some photos of other projects U/C that I took from O8 and will post those in their individual threads.

Views from the amenity deck on the 18th floor:

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k199/blackc5photos/100_1255.jpg

Looking down at the future green roof on top of the base:

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k199/blackc5photos/100_1249.jpg

Again from the amenity area:

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k199/blackc5photos/100_1261.jpg

Views from the 27th floor, towards Lake Union:

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k199/blackc5photos/100_1268.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k199/blackc5photos/100_1270.jpg

Views from 27th towards the west:

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k199/blackc5photos/100_1289.jpg

And views to the south:

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k199/blackc5photos/100_1294.jpg

And the east (Cascades a bit washed out in the bg, Olivian crane in the foreground):

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k199/blackc5photos/100_1273.jpg

Lastly, looking down back towards Greyhound station and the future hotel site:

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k199/blackc5photos/100_1305.jpg

18th floor construction:

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k199/blackc5photos/100_1263.jpg

27th floor construction:

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k199/blackc5photos/100_1285.jpg

Hotel interior construction (3rd floor if I recall):

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k199/blackc5photos/100_1320.jpg

Stunning.

Thanks for the pictures.

Good golly that's cool.

Those views are amazing!

Wow nice job blackc5 :cheers1: Do you know if there will be roof access when its done? Those would be some pretty incredible shots.

roof access....serioulsy doubt it.

No roof access. I asked the JTL employee that took us on the tour. He said it will be a "green" roof, which will decrease runoff etc, but it will not be accessible to residents.

I won't be posting my pictures since the pictures above are much better than my PDA camera.

Yeah, roof access would have been nice. That is one of the few things I would change about O8 as a future resident if I could. The views from up there will be quite spectacular, so it is too bad they won't be shared. That said, I was pleased with the deck on the 18th floor. It was a lot bigger than I had thought it would be after looking at from the webcam. Definitely all the news about the various wood ceilings and details throughout the hotel and the cool porte cochere features was an added plus as well.

Lately there has been much talk of peoples views being blocked by development. Like many people on this forum, i am buying a condo downtown ( in olive8 ). I know my view may change, or be blocked, and that is fine, but out of curiousity does anyone know the chances of lets say... oh... the paramount hotel being demolished to make way for a taller building. I know a building was razed to make way for the new wamu tower. I am sure it boils down to the economics of it, but does anyone know how often that kind of thing happens, or what might make it appealing for a developer to go that route?

Lately there has been much talk of peoples views being blocked by development. Like many people on this forum, i am buying a condo downtown ( in olive8 ). I know my view may change, or be blocked, and that is fine, but out of curiousity does anyone know the chances of lets say... oh... the paramount hotel being demolished to make way for a taller building. I know a building was razed to make way for the new wamu tower. I am sure it boils down to the economics of it, but does anyone know how often that kind of thing happens, or what might make it appealing for a developer to go that route?

Well at Olive 8 you have a few that could go up. The Greyhound site hotel, Ava and that vacant lot to the west of the Paramount.

The paramount and the Camlin are classics...they are going nowhere..it would be criminal to raze those historic buildings...plan on AVA and the site that Securtiy Properties owns to hinder your views if you are looking south/east.....

I'm actually look forward to AVA filling in the block....I like the NYC type view....

I like the 6th photo, it shows where Heron/Pagota towers will be.

The paramount and the Camlin are classics...they are going nowhere..it would be criminal to raze those historic buildings...plan on AVA and the site that Securtiy Properties owns to hinder your views if you are looking south/east.....

I'm actually look forward to AVA filling in the block....I like the NYC type view....
Not the Paramount Theater, the Paramount Hotel. That thing just went up within the last 10 years. I doubt it will be replaced (or built upon) anytime soon. However, across Pine from the Paramount Hotel is a now vacant lot cleared to make way for a 40ish story residential tower. Don't remember details or what its current/future status is.

BB do you recall?

ooooooohhh......excuse me.....now I got it.....and that is going nowhere either......dragonfish is on the ground floor of the hotel...that is not a bad little hotel.....

I love the rooftop deck at Cosmopolitan. It has an amazing view from the 36th (30 something...) floor.

I really want to be the first to point out that the elevator core should be topped out sometime next week! (at least from my vantage point here)

Are you accounting for the core probably extending two floors above the highest occupied floor? I just want to make sure you're not disappointed next week. I'd expect that these elevators need about two floors of "overrun" space in the core before the elevator machine room floor and then a steel framed elevator machine room roof will top if off.

Just some photos of a project we all love to watch-

(from a few days ago)

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn165/citruspastels/olive8-2.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn165/citruspastels/olive8.jpg

That area is becoming so beautiful.

the ice cube tower...

Just some photos of a project we all love to watch-

(from a few days ago)

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn165/citruspastels/olive8-2.jpg

That area is becoming so beautiful.

I edited this slightly to show the location of the misplaced window.

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/7639/olive82by0.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2393/2500862460_f7a7cfdbcb_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3180/2500041121_57d731956e_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3055/2500870704_51d8776666_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2285/2500035843_00439d97df_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3285/2500035137_63dccef643_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3020/2500032275_4f1983f7b0_b.jpg

Great pics! You make it look very tall.

looks like it only has one more floor and the roof to go....

Great shots! What a beauty.

Looking good! Really glad they added the three additional floors on this so the condo section is proportionally taller than the hotel portion, rather than real close to 50/50. Cant wait to start seeing some blue on there, although I have a feeling that will come real close to the end of the exterior work.

it looks so gray in those pictues yet in person has a very green tint to it

The core is topped out, the forms where gone when I looked at it from work today.

This is an interesting building. It looks SOOOOOOO much better in the sun than in the clouds.

The only thing I don't like is the transfer from the condos to hotels. I don't understand why it was designed this way. The building has the appearance of 2 boxy buildings stacked on top of each other.

This is an interesting building. It looks SOOOOOOO much better in the sun than in the clouds.

The only thing I don't like is the transfer from the condos to hotels. I don't understand why it was designed this way. The building has the appearance of 2 boxy buildings stacked on top of each other.


I hope they do something to smooth out that transfer, it just looks incomplete how it stands now

what about the transfer form the first 4 to the hotel rooms, it looks like a big gap......

If you look at the renders.... I almost think something is going to go "over" the windows like a giant screen or something...

I was in Seattle this morning, waiting for the ol' 594 down on Jackson. Lots going on there!

Nice shot, no? I like that crazy neon sign thing.

http://img363.imageshack.us/img363/1618/olive81vk2.jpg

Always gotta have the greenery. It's kind of cropped off the top, but it looks like the core is 1-2 floors ahead of the actual floors.

http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/4350/olive82uc1.jpg

What is this building in front of Olive 8? Yeah, the one with the short crane.
http://img60.imageshack.us/img60/278/olive83tq9.jpg

B&W is always cool! So, I think the building to the left is the same as the one in front above. I didn't see any signage for it, but since I was waiting for the bus I don't think exploring would have been a good idea...
http://img391.imageshack.us/img391/5905/olive84rg1.jpg

That is the Olivian.

That is the Olivian.

Really?
Hmmm, interesting. Thanks!

You know, I'm really impressed with the Olive 8 website! Unlike a lot of these upcoming projects that just sit there (website-wise), this one always seems to have something new every time I visit it.

Just checked out the very detailed floor plans for the hotel lobby and spa/fitness floors. If they build and appoint it they way they've designed, you'll be very lucky as a tenant - or as a hotel guest!

The restaurant doesn't look like anything special. But there's a port cochere (sp?) that just happens to be 'olive' shaped (pretty cool!) as is the mezzanine above it. That mezzanine is where all the spa treatment rooms are. I counted a dozen included a spa room for two (how romantic!). Pretty impressive weight room, too. It's not just a couple treadmills cycles and a universal. Full his and hers locker room and private saunas and steam rooms, too. No walking back to your unit or hotel room dripping. Several machines that face out for views down to the street.

I'm a bit curious though that it appears hotel guests appear to have full access to the whole floor and vice versa. I believe there is a separate amenities area for residents only with a terrace up where the hotel ends. I didn't see any floor plan of that common area. Maybe next time I check back, though!

I agree, the site is being nicely updated. There are some construction update photos added every month or so as well. There is a floor plan at the sales center for the 18th floor amenities area. Hopefully they can add it to the site as well.

Oh, and I do believe this one is topped out - can anyone confirm?

Also - the web came seems to have been down for the last few days. Not sure if they are moving it or just having technical problems. I am really looking forward to seeing how the remainder of the condo glass looks. The more they add, the better it looks IMHO!

Yeah, this and Escala's web cams have had issues for a while now.

That mezzanine is where all the spa treatment rooms are. I counted a dozen included a spa room for two (how romantic!).

They're probably cashing in on the market segment opened up since Tubs closed.

(Yes, I'm joking -- there's no question in my mind that the Olive 8 demographic doesn't overlap with the Tubs demographic.)

They're probably cashing in on the market segment opened up since Tubs closed.

(Yes, I'm joking -- there's no question in my mind that the Olive 8 demographic doesn't overlap with the Tubs demographic.)
LOL. I got it!!! :)

The O8 webcam is back up. Escala's seems dead yet... Definitely O8 is topped out except perhaps the mechanical. If you look closely you can note that the 38th and 39th floors have the extra 2 feet of ceiling height.

Oh, also, on their web site, under Construction Updates, there is a nice time lapse video. It could be a bit more compressed though as it runs probably almost 10 minutes...

The Olive 8 as of Saturday, June 28.

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg130/wglove35/Downtown/IMG_0353.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg130/wglove35/Downtown/IMG_0368.jpg

The Olives aren't showing up very well yet.
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg130/wglove35/Downtown/IMG_0369.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg130/wglove35/Downtown/IMG_0376.jpg

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg130/wglove35/Downtown/IMG_0378.jpg

This shows the transfer from hotel to condo and the proximity of Olive 8 to the neighboring tower.
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg130/wglove35/Downtown/IMG_0380.jpg

Double post.

excellent pictures, thank you for sharing!

how many more stories till the olivian is topped out?

IMO, the Olivian is starting to out shine Olive 8.

According to an article in the Seattle PI work will be slowed at Olive 8 and other projects due to a fire-sprinkler installers' strike: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008029688_webfiresprinkler02.html. Let's hope this doesn't last too long.

due to a fire-sprinkler installers' strike:

There is a fire-sprinkler installers union?

http://www.olive8.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp

That ad/site won't be winning over any prospective guests. Androids maybe.

That ad/site won't be winning over any prospective guests. Androids maybe.


The Hyatt at Olive 8: "We're different cuz...um...well its a box shape..but i guess that doesnt- hmm...did you see the olives outside?"

lets wait and see what we have when its complete before we start judging....

lets wait and see what we have when its complete before we start judging....

You're probably right. But I think it's going to look pretty bland and cheesy. I'm actually more disappointed with this tower the further along it gets.

Wait til they add all the blue!! And they start furnishing the hotel lobby/restaurant etc.

the building won't establish itself until the roof, balconies, and most importantly the lights are turned on.......I think the rectangle tower design serves it just fine given that the building is hidden pretty damn well by the qwest building......if it had 1521's location I would have expected a more dramatic footprint and shape....

Does anyone know if the strike is over. Did they stop all construction or just the installation of sprinklers because i saw a whole lot of workers today?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3034/2659902528_fb49dfb698_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3015/2659072113_47b6928347_b.jpg

Does anyone know if the strike is over.

It ended today...

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/370523_union12.html

Awesome!

I really like the skin of this tower. The color glass is great. I do wish the shape was more exciting, but to bad.

8/8/8 event is cancelled :(

^^

What was that event supposed to be?

they say because of safety and city codes but it sounds alot more like delays to me....this one is still a ways off.....June 2009 sounds more realistic to me.....

ticks me off when they blame it on the fire marshall

do they actually think we're stupid enough to buy the "its the fire marshalls fault" excuse? and they wonder why we don't trust them....

well........... at least the Olympics will start on time.........on 8/8/08......... you would think they could get one building here on time

The fire marshall thing sounds realistic to me.

Sounds realistic, I agree. I had wondered when this was first announced how the heck they planned to have a party with hundreds of people inside a mostly unfinished building, likely littered with a wide variety of construction materials, tools, etc.

that is one of the raseons they are not having it.....they hoped they would be further down the road at this point...makes little difference at this point though.....

I was walking in Downtown recently, and I realized how far Olive 8 is from the "actual" core of Downtown, or is it just me?

its two blocks east of pacific place...not exactly far from the core...

pretty close actually.....its also right in the mix of the new downtown where all the development is going on right now....

It is definitly getting harder to define the "core".

I don't look at Pacific Place as the core...I prefer to think or DOC1 as the core. Pacific Place a little north of the core.

There is however a lot of momentum around the Olive8 area.

It might not be the main core, but it's definitely "core plus" territory.