CITY CENTER PLAZA (aka City Center Bellevue II)

http://www.equityoffice.com/images/200605235100722CityCenterPlaza352.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e324/Seattlefreeskier/Bellevue%20Development/CityCenterPlaza.jpg

26 story office building with 572,000 sft of office space with another 21,000 of ground floor retail and restaurants. Under Construction.

WOW NOT BAD! :)

Looks just like the older one they built, with a few changes. :)

^^ That's what I thought so. I noticed that Northwest region's major cities including Portland, Seattle and Bellevue are big fans of curved buildings since many new curved buildings are getting built lately...

I've ntoiced that too.
We all know of Houston style, CHicago Style buildings.. there should be a Northwest style buidling make.

^^ We already have Northwest region style.

So this is actually under construction? Has it bottomed out yet?

So this is actually under construction? Has it bottomed out yet?

Yes and yes. The crane went up about a month and a half ago. The core might be approaching street level soon, I haven't driven by lately.

That first render doesn't really do justice to the true quality of the building. :ohno:

Is the northwest building style known across the country like the others though?

I drove by about an hour ago. The core is definately above street level. Maybe one floor.

Is the northwest building style known across the country like the others though?

I am not sure... Chicago, New York, Altanta, Houston, San Diego, Las Vegas, Miami and some cities that I am not know of have curved buildings too but its not popular as Portland, Bellevue, and Seattle do.

Seattle-Bellevue-Portland are leading the way for the Northwest style as they should. Maybe it will be reknown around the nation someday.

^^ Maybe they're already known?

I don't know really. Never hear anyone talk about them.

Yeah same here.

No news in so long!! Drove by today and noticed steel above street level. Looks like a couple floors beginning in the SE corner.

Its definetly already going up with steel. You can even see the shape of the building on the South side.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f117/vvebmike/DSC00251-1.jpg

Lookn' good!

This thing seems to be going up fast. A year ago it was still a parking lot!

Awesome!!!! :cheers:

I saw the elevator core is up to about 10 or 11th floor. Impressive!

My favorite part about this project is the temporary contruction elevator is inside the shaft on this project, as opposed to the outside like other buildings I have seen in Bellevue.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f117/vvebmike/DSC00283.jpg

The crane on this one will be raising very soon, you can see the support for the stabilizer(?) towards the top of the core.

They are pouring the 20th floor it looks like now. This thing will top out in August at this speed (concrete core atleast)

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f117/vvebmike/th_DSC01428.jpg (http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f117/vvebmike/DSC01428.jpg)
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f117/vvebmike/th_DSC01420.jpg (http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f117/vvebmike/DSC01420.jpg)
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f117/vvebmike/th_DSC01414.jpg (http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f117/vvebmike/DSC01414.jpg)
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f117/vvebmike/th_DSC01413.jpg (http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f117/vvebmike/DSC01413.jpg)

I think this tower crane needs have serious inspecting because it is tilting right now.

The core scaffolding got bumped up again, and it looks like the crane will be raising up again within the next few days. Only 5-6 floors to go on the core and its topped out! This building is going up so incredibly fast. Any news on who is leasing it yet??

**I am still holding out for Google on this one**

This would be a great tower for Google....I405 frontage and a big GOOGLE Sign on the roof line slapping Microsoft in the face.:bash: I wonder how Google will be treated in these parts..:lurker:

At&t/Cingular possibly will become the tenant of this building. I heard that they're looking to relocate its headquarter in downtown Bellevue. Recently, they expressed their interest to sign the lease at The Braven but Microsoft took over it first. They're still looking around for office space to house their headquarters.

Last time I heard that Google already lost its interest in Bellevue and more interested to find the office space in downtown Seattle area.

Photos from 7-27-07 I'm in a rush so I did not downsize them.

http://aycu34.webshots.com/image/23113/2003545878513647960_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2003545878513647960)

http://aycu27.webshots.com/image/20146/2003580555225147749_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2003580555225147749)

One more that I wanted to add showing the Shotcrete.
http://aycu16.webshots.com/image/22895/2000798568831120774_rs.jpg (http://allyoucanupload.webshots.com/v/2000798568831120774)

^
Nice job. But I'm getting impatient for them to start putting the curtain wall on this thing. :D

I snapped these shots of Bellevue on the way home from my day in Seattle and Renton yesterday. :) You can see the new City Center Plaza being built.
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/332/ajmbellevue729073ov0.jpg

http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/18/ajmbellevue729072sb4.jpg

http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/8103/ajmbellevue72907jd6.jpg

http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/3772/ajmstudiosnetbellevuegrlh1.jpg

I love how its going to dominate the skyline from this angle.

I was at the transit center yesterday, and maybe it's just me but the base of this tower seemed pretty small compared to it's lot. Maybe they are planning on a huge courtyard style entry but it seemed like a waste...

Theres a huge plaza being constructed in the center of the block so as to preserve views for existing office tenants and keep the skyline from looking too cluttered.

^^

So much for density...

I think that plaza will eventually be the location of a future lowrise building.

^ Doubt it. They're putting in millions to design and build a huge public plaza. Downtown needs more open space.

Haven't had an update to this one in a while. Glass enclosing has begun! Looks like a couple floors and a nice greenish tint to the glass. This building is very prominent from 520 heading from Overlake Area.

http://eastsidebusinessjournal.com/20070916520/Dining/El-Gaucho-to-Open-In-Downtown-Bellevue.html

I know this article is not the newest, but it had a nice rendering of the new El Gaucho Restraunt. Its also on the front cover the October Print Edition.

I've always loved the atmosphere at the Belltown location. This design looks nice, but as is very different from there.

Today's DJC says Microsoft is gonna take all the space in this.

Great news for this project and the downtown Bellevue office market.

From the DJC:

Another big Bellevue lease for Microsoft

By LYNN PORTER

A source says Microsoft will take all the office space in the 571,000-square-foot City Center Plaza, due to be completed in July.



Hopefully this will mean that Beacon Capital will move forward with their next project.......a 450 foot tower across 110th from the Bravern.

Thats great news but I really hope they stop building 450 ft towers. Please raise the height limits PLEASE! The skyline is going to start looking really funny.

If Washington Square had their shit together, they would be ready to make a move on their office component.

Article from the Times.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2004385708_webcitycenter.html

Maybe it would have been easier if they just dedicated an entire superblock to Microsoft, so that way their offices would be even more consolidated...

...but still, great news for Bellevue and our regional economy :banana:

Y'know if it weren't for Microsoft, the Eastside would just be a bunch of nice but sleepy suburbs.

thank god.

Any idea why they still haven't taken down the crane on this project? The exterior has looked complete for over 2 months now. Regardless, this project looks like it should be done by early fall. I'm particularly looking forward to the new open space and the El Gaucho restaurant.

MSFT TI's (I suspect you knew that tho). I understand they are pretty extensive. I heard rumors that they were close to $300 SF.

I will see if i can come up with exactly what they are doing.

Any photos of the plaza section on this one? Was curious how this space looks next to the transit area.

Yeah! At long last the crane is finally being lowered!

Hopefully that means the El Gaucho is going to open soon
(please please please)

I noticed tonight that the top is lit up on the east side of the building. Looks good!

I really doubt El Gaucho will be opening this year. I heard a December opening was scheduled, but City Center Plaza has so much work left to do.

They're still putting up Ex[edia signs on tower 333 and that was supposed to be totally done by August. Just say a truck this evening with another Expedia sign hanging from the back ready to install over the building entrance.

Meh...the building looks cool. I was taking some pictures last week with a tripod and a D60 I had borrowed. The guards are really cranky at the parking lot next to the transit center. Don't take pics from there. :D

One thing Bellevue has to do. A MUST for proper growth. Remove the 450ft cap. At least, AT LEAST go to 500ft, but I'd go higher, it'd be more realistic in terms of developers, like Kemper would want to build.

I really doubt El Gaucho will be opening this year. I heard a December opening was scheduled, but City Center Plaza has so much work left to do.

They're still putting up Ex[edia signs on tower 333 and that was supposed to be totally done by August. Just say a truck this evening with another Expedia sign hanging from the back ready to install over the building entrance.
Actually a press release Thrusday says they will be open for Thanksgiving week!!

http://eastsidebusinessjournal.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2548&Itemid=2

Actually a press release Thrusday says they will be open for Thanksgiving week!!

http://eastsidebusinessjournal.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2548&Itemid=2


They will open for business Nov 25th!

Hard to believe, walking by it looks like the base of the building has some work - nevertheless, they have their priorities - steak and drinks, then finish the rest of the building!

As long as the draft coming through the gaping holes in the building (from the crane supports) don't make it into the restaurant, should be nice! :lol:

The restaurant will not be open for Thanksgiving weekend unless people plan on wearing hard hats and eating on the floor.

you're brilliant.

check downtownbellevue.com

or, just walk down there, sit down at the bar and get a few shots to bring you down to everyone else's level: Reality.

Wow! It looks really nice! Nothing like the Belltown one, but still an elegant representation.

Drove by yesterday and the plaza is really a nice space. For me this one was a real sleeper what a nice surprise. I can see some fun activities taking place there when the weather allows. when Bravern is open across the street and all its people that whole area is going to be quite something

I love the top iluminated. Great addition for Bellevue.

It turned out to be a real not normal building. The grounds around it are nice too.

Now lets see Bellevue rid of their 450foot limit cap on buildings. Do it before the office/retail economy comes to a slow down!

^^ Economy already slow down. lol

Just wanted to say that I went to El Gaucho the other night. To be honest, I prefer the one in Seattle for atmosphere. But the building is beautiful. It's kinda cool that there is a central park-type setting in the middle of this superblock surrounded by the towers. Go to El Gaucho for happy hour and check it out!

Park in the garage for free with validation, but remember to exit on level C and not A (unless you have a Microsoft parking pass!). Felt like a dork trying to get out the way I came in (on 110th) for 10 minutes.

It's kinda cool that there is a central park-type setting in the middle of this superblock surrounded by the towers. Go to El Gaucho for happy hour and check it out!


It is very cool & nice, especially for users of the transit center.

Is that a piece of land owned by the developer? If so it is a genuinely generous design to provide some open & green space to office workers.

I love the top iluminated. Great addition for Bellevue.

Is it illuminated? I see a giant Microsoft sign, the top floor is well-lit because it's going to be a cafe.

does it appear to you guys that the recent additions to dt Bellevue have surpassed Seattle in terms of quality and design? I often wished Bellevue Towers was in Seattle instead of Bellevue, City Center is beautiful, Ashwood Commons a bit unusual but more "aspiring" than Aspira (sorry guys, I just hate that building), Bravern is a bit on the safe side but I like how it relates to the bordering streets, oh, and Washington Square is not bad either (love the Vancouver style podium townhouses). Even the Hines apartment projects are interesting to look at, more so than what's going on in Seattle. Everything also fits in so nicely to their surroundings. Seattle's building design as of late is, well, trying. Doesn't fit well in its block (Cosmo, 1918, Olive 8), doesn't relate well into its surrounding, and just plain ugly. What's going on? Does Bellevue have better design committee/process? Someone tell me! BTW, Aspira is by Hines too, right? Why so much difference between their projects in Bellevue and their project in Seattle? You wouldn't think they are works by the same company.

I think the difference is that Seattle has more of a need to harmonize with the existing surroundings whereas Bellevue has the opportunity to develop whole blocks.

Pic of the plaza behind el gaucho.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2483/3787062895_2d57172e8d_b.jpg

does it appear to you guys that the recent additions to dt Bellevue have surpassed Seattle in terms of quality and design? I often wished Bellevue Towers was in Seattle instead of Bellevue, City Center is beautiful, Ashwood Commons a bit unusual but more "aspiring" than Aspira (sorry guys, I just hate that building), Bravern is a bit on the safe side but I like how it relates to the bordering streets, oh, and Washington Square is not bad either (love the Vancouver style podium townhouses). Even the Hines apartment projects are interesting to look at, more so than what's going on in Seattle. Everything also fits in so nicely to their surroundings. Seattle's building design as of late is, well, trying. Doesn't fit well in its block (Cosmo, 1918, Olive 8), doesn't relate well into its surrounding, and just plain ugly. What's going on? Does Bellevue have better design committee/process? Someone tell me! BTW, Aspira is by Hines too, right? Why so much difference between their projects in Bellevue and their project in Seattle? You wouldn't think they are works by the same company.

Mmm I actually have to defend Seattle on this one.

Bellevue has better city planning & parks (they spent a lot of money on parks which we all support), Seattle is extremely frustrating in this aspect.

But buildings in Bellevue are still kinda on the safe side in my mind, the shining exceptions being Bellevue Towers and Elements Too. All the new condos along 10th St look the same, boxy & glassy NW style.

Seattle's new developments have some interestingly different designs (Olive 8, Aspira, Escala, 1521, Four Seasons, Mosler), admittedly some of them didn't work out but I think it's nice that they tried.

All of the Vulcan properties tend to be boring though.

Beacon Capital has sold CCP
http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2010/07/12/daily1.html

Not sure if this is good or bad for the prospects of them moving forward with 10833 NE 8th anytime soon. I'm thinking it's bad. =/