I could've sworn there was a thread out there already for this project but I guess not. Anyways, I drove by today and saw that the fence has gone up and there were a bunch of construction equipment on site. Looks like they may have started drilling into the ground but I couldn't tell for sure since it was dark out. This is Schnitzer's second speculative project in downtown Seattle, the other one being the smaller 818 Stewart tower that is on the same block.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c316/ACN425/19188th.jpg

and if I recall correctly, Schnitzer also has the 5th and Madison office building planned to be built on spec.

^^I really wanted them to build the 5th & Marion condos but I guess a tall tower is a tall tower so how can I complain :dunno: Isnt this building suposed to be over 500 ft?

and if I recall correctly, Schnitzer also has the 5th and Madison office building planned to be built on spec.

Yeah, they have a proposal for a 40 story office tower at 505 Madison (east side of 5th between Madison and Marion). I believe they plan on breaking ground on that one next summer. The only rendering we've seen of that tower is on the Cityscape 2011 thing on the urbancondominiums site. Check it out.

That equipment has been there for months. I think they're just storing for their current project kitty korner on the same block. Can't imagine they would subject Cosmo residents to TWO SIMULTANEOUS construction projects right next door.

Then again, which is worse: 2 years of terrible noise or 4+ years of moderately irritating noise?

Put on your ear plugs during the construction. :)

I hear the sidewalk on 8th is closed and a shoring contractor is onsite. Also, their publicized start date was around now. Sounds like a 500' tower is starting.

is this the same block as the cosmo? which side?

Across the alley from Cosmo to the west.

It won't help Cosmo's resales. But actually if I lived on the west side of Cosmo I'd love it for eliminating any need for air conditioning and reducing my street noise once construction is over.

Here's the website:
http://www.1918eighth.com/

I don't think this will be 500'. More like 400'.

Probably in the middle to upper part of that range. Realistically it's probably 13' or 14' per floor. They redesigned it when the site was rezoned to 500'.

Seattle's office floor-to-floor heights have historically been compressed due to our height limits. But in this case, the 500' limit, with 34 floors, doesn't require driving the height down. Nor does floor area ratio really matter here. Going with taller floor-to-floor heights costs more to build in some regards, but it also makes the construction process easier (same with future renovations) and can mean higher rents.

I walked by after work. The sidewalk isn't closed, and no digging has happened. But I asked someone, and it starts Monday.

i don't know if it'll be 500' but in the rendering it is MUCH taller then the courthouse and the courthouse is 390'

More variables: I don't know if the 34 includes a phantom 13 or not. Also, what sort of mechanical penthouse is there. Third, is there a super-high first floor, or any other extra-height floors?

:ohno: As I've said before...what a BORING building, and it's gonna block great views of the courthouse. It's sad Schitzer can't come up with a better design than this...just a 60's box. Bleh!!!

it's not that bad it's just a building that does its job. doesn't look 60's at all to me they wouldn't use those materials in the 60's.

It looks kinda like IDX tower's color and design. Oh no, not another IDX tower rip off.

^ Yes, it is very IDX like. They're like twins.

^^ Yeah, definelatly!

http://www.1918eighth.com

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/3302/dscf1986uv2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Wow, they really are digging..............

well, i guess i don't hate the design, but it probably could have been a little more inspiring.

oh well, here is to good density an non-offensive buildings! :cheers:

Agree with that. On a (very) bright note, at least this will cover up one side of the Cosmopolitan base!

Drove by this one the other day. It STILL seems like they aren't doing anything on the 1918 site per se. That's where they are storing a lot of equipment. The digging is along side. I'm wondering if that is in connection with the 818 Stewart site or possibly something that may connect the two.

Usually, digging "along side" means installing piles. In other words, shoring before they excavate. The picture appears to show this.

Anyone know for sure the height of this project?

It's either 500' or a large percentage of it. The zone is 500'.

I believe I saw it was about 500 feet, but may have heard this second hand.

I saw the sign on the side of the building that was there before demo, it said 500

Man, I feel like if developers are building to the height limit, we should raise it:(

Man, I feel like if developers are building to the height limit, we should raise it:(

Yes! Please!

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/7140/450cosmopolitan02853sitzi5.jpg

Photo from Seattle PI

So this building will be only 18 feet (shorter than the length of a Chevy Suburban) away from the Cosmo. Is this the new way we will define Suburban Sprawl?

why was that picture in the PI?

link to the story?

He posted it in the Seattle Development News thread @ the top of the page.

Hey, I drove near this site today and saw a large crane on the road. Did anyone else drive BY the site? Is there a crane assembly happening already?!

This project is in full swing, it is slated for a 4Q 2009 finish. They have possibly landed some tenants for the building as well as their office project on 5th, which is reported to break ground later this year...

Exciting news! This better be one big crane!!!

Also do you think this tower will be visible from West Seattle/Alki?

Also do you think this tower will be visible from West Seattle/Alki?

Oh for sure.


I think I might check out the site after work.

It'll be a little taller than the Westin but at lower elevation and farther back. You'll see it from West Seattle but it won't stand out.

How much taller than the US Courthouse will it be?

110' I believe.

Was the crane put up?

If it is, it's just the stump. I drove by today and couldn't see anything. It's one deep hole!!

Crane went up on this yesterday :)

Found this: http://oxblue.com/pro/open/?webPath=sellen/1918eighth

Crane went up on this yesterday :)

Yay! Thanks for the news! :D

Found this: http://oxblue.com/pro/open/?webPath=sellen/1918eighth
And thanks for the camera link!

After over a month of laying the ironwork, today they are pouring the foundation for this bad boy!! Three pumpers working, but then this looks to be a 20-30 foot deep foundation pour.

anything new on this project? any word on how high it'll be exactly? on Cityscape it looks taller than the Qwest building.

Its supposed to be 500ft

Yup another 500 footer.

I'm putting this article with THIS building. Now I guess we know that this will likely be steel constructed.


Schnitzer's Seattle office building half-leased 6 months before completion
By Eric Pryne

Developer Schnitzer West says it has preleased half the office space at 818 Stewart, a 14-story downtown Seattle building that won't be finished for six months.

Commercial real-estate brokers say the deals signal demand for downtown office space remains strong and that Seattle remains a bright spot on the national commercial real-estate map.

"Any developer would be very pleased to have his building half-leased six months out," said Owen Rice, a broker with CB Richard Ellis who specializes in downtown.

Stuart Williams, a principal with Pacific Real Estate Partners, agreed. "It does say there is a demand for new product," he said.

818 Stewart is a 238,000-square-foot building going up at Ninth Avenue and Stewart Street.

Five floors — 73,000 square feet — have been leased to Avanade, a global information-technology consulting firm, and one of its corporate parents, Accenture, the world's largest consulting company.

The building will be the corporate headquarters for Avanade, a joint venture of Accenture and Microsoft. Avanade and Accenture's Seattle regional office are now in the World Trade Center complex on Elliott Avenue.

Other 818 Stewart tenants: First American Title Insurance, with 19,000 square feet; and Schnitzer West, which is moving its headquarters from Bellevue. It, too, will occupy about 19,000 square feet, managing investment partner Dan Ivanoff said.

"Our expectation is we're going to be 75 percent preleased pretty quickly," he said. "It's a pretty strong market."

Over the past five years, Seattle's growth in office-based employment has far outpaced growth in the supply of office space, Ivanoff said.

818 Stewart, scheduled to be completed in October, is the only new office building in the downtown area that will open this year. Next year, four will:

• Touchstone's 520,000-square-foot West 8th project, at Eighth Avenue and Westlake Avenue.

• Martin Selig's 260,000-square-foot Fifth and Yesler building.

• Schnitzer West's 660,000-square-foot 1918 Eighth building, on the same block as 818 Stewart.

• Vulcan's 2201 Westlake project, which will combine 300,000 square feet of office space with 135 condos.

None of the four has announced any large office tenants yet, but Rice said they should have little trouble filling up as their completion dates near.

Prospective tenants are touring the properties and weighing their options, he said.

"It's still a landlord's market."

818 Stewart's success is another indication that downtown is shifting north.

"Ten years ago, that wasn't considered an office location," Williams said. "Now it's a great location."

good article, thanks for posting.

Yay. Steel means fast construction.

Crazy fast!

I'm putting this article with THIS building. Now I guess we know that this will likely be steel constructed.


Schnitzer's Seattle office building half-leased 6 months before completion
By Eric Pryne

Developer Schnitzer West says it has preleased half the office space at 818 Stewart, a 14-story downtown Seattle building that won't be finished for six months.

Commercial real-estate brokers say the deals signal demand for downtown office space remains strong and that Seattle remains a bright spot on the national commercial real-estate map.

"Any developer would be very pleased to have his building half-leased six months out," said Owen Rice, a broker with CB Richard Ellis who specializes in downtown.

Stuart Williams, a principal with Pacific Real Estate Partners, agreed. "It does say there is a demand for new product," he said.

818 Stewart is a 238,000-square-foot building going up at Ninth Avenue and Stewart Street.

Five floors — 73,000 square feet — have been leased to Avanade, a global information-technology consulting firm, and one of its corporate parents, Accenture, the world's largest consulting company.

The building will be the corporate headquarters for Avanade, a joint venture of Accenture and Microsoft. Avanade and Accenture's Seattle regional office are now in the World Trade Center complex on Elliott Avenue.

Other 818 Stewart tenants: First American Title Insurance, with 19,000 square feet; and Schnitzer West, which is moving its headquarters from Bellevue. It, too, will occupy about 19,000 square feet, managing investment partner Dan Ivanoff said.

"Our expectation is we're going to be 75 percent preleased pretty quickly," he said. "It's a pretty strong market."

Over the past five years, Seattle's growth in office-based employment has far outpaced growth in the supply of office space, Ivanoff said.

818 Stewart, scheduled to be completed in October, is the only new office building in the downtown area that will open this year. Next year, four will:

• Touchstone's 520,000-square-foot West 8th project, at Eighth Avenue and Westlake Avenue.

• Martin Selig's 260,000-square-foot Fifth and Yesler building.

• Schnitzer West's 660,000-square-foot 1918 Eighth building, on the same block as 818 Stewart.

• Vulcan's 2201 Westlake project, which will combine 300,000 square feet of office space with 135 condos.

None of the four has announced any large office tenants yet, but Rice said they should have little trouble filling up as their completion dates near.

Prospective tenants are touring the properties and weighing their options, he said.

"It's still a landlord's market."

818 Stewart's success is another indication that downtown is shifting north.

"Ten years ago, that wasn't considered an office location," Williams said. "Now it's a great location."

I work for Accenture so I'm very thrilled about this move. It's going to be a major upgrade over our current offices at the WTC although I will definitely miss the view. Too bad we're not moving to 8th and Virginia instead but I'll take it!

I have another 'question for anyone in the know.' Do I have too many?!

Are they going to remove that big pile of dirt under the trailers to the right side? Was it left there to keep the Cosmo from tipping over? Love to know why, what, and if.

http://oxblue.com/pro/open/?webPath=sellen/1918eighth

I'm really excited about this tower!!!!

this pocket of downtown is going to look sick in 2 years......plus AVA is still in the pipeline....

Downtown crawling north. Remember when it ended at Westlake Center? Then came the Nordstrom Headquarters, Metropolitan Apartments, The Federal Courthouse, The Life Sciences Building, and The Cosmo.

But this time, far more than 5 hi-rises in the next ten years.

An office building.

It'll be a little taller than the Westin but at lower elevation and farther back. You'll see it from West Seattle but it won't stand out.

Where do you get your harmoniously onceptual and practical apprehension of construction and architecture? I only wish I could predict how this building would look from afar. I would simply say, "office stick on a skyline", based on its renderings. Enough alliteration, at least. Reminds me of sticking sticks of butter into the butter pump at the local cinema where I work.

Where do you get your harmoniously onceptual and practical apprehension of construction and architecture? I only wish I could predict how this building would look from afar. I would simply say, "office stick on a skyline", based on its renderings. Enough alliteration, at least. Reminds me of sticking sticks of butter into the butter pump at the local cinema where I work.
And another piece of the puzzle falls into place. But seriously, don't let a building ruin your day. Find joy in life (and your job) and you'll live longer and happier.

Mail me the nickel you owe me.

I have another 'question for anyone in the know.' Do I have too many?!

Are they going to remove that big pile of dirt under the trailers to the right side? Was it left there to keep the Cosmo from tipping over? Love to know why, what, and if.

http://oxblue.com/pro/open/?webPath=sellen/1918eighth

When they reach the top of the hole, they will then excavate that portion back down to the bottom. They had to do a benched excavation due to the close proximity of the cosmo building and utilities in the alley.

^^Thats kinda cool. I had always assumed they would just leave it like that.

ha. There's a mayflower moving van in the webcam right now at the cosmo's loading dock. I wonder if somebody saw how close this building is going to be from their window and decided; "f that, i'm out. peace!"

Check out current for sale prices in the Cosmopolitan (where the moving van was) I think you'll see some of the best prices downtown if you can't/don't want to pay more AND don't mind looking at the side of another building.

I'd seriously consider that if I wasn't buying somewhere else. It'll be one of the quietest places around, the lack of view isn't a problem for me, and the neighborhood is improving quickly.

The core is really rising fast!

Wow the core has really shot up quick on this one.

Nice! Any possibility that someone could provide pictures? Considering that this is currently the tallest building in the city under construction, I'm surprised what little attention we've been giving this project.

Nice! Any possibility that someone could provide pictures? Considering that this is currently the tallest building in the city under construction, I'm surprised what little attention we've been giving this project.
You can watch progress here:

http://oxblue.com/pro/open/?webPath=sellen/1918eighth

^
This is going up real fast! The core is already notably higher than it was when I first checked out that link on the 12th.

It seems obvious that this will be steel construction so it will probably go as fast as West 8th is. To be honest, West 8th's dig seemed to take forever while this one went pretty quickly. Good news is that as the elevator core rises (and they wait to start steel until it tops out core-wise, they can be finishing the other half of the parking garage.

Notice, too, that the camera has moved up again!
http://oxblue.com/pro/open/?webPath=sellen/1918eighth

Nice! Any possibility that someone could provide pictures? Considering that this is currently the tallest building in the city under construction, I'm surprised what little attention we've been giving this project.

I think there is not a lot of enthusiasm for this one. It's a basic, boring ole skyscraper..boxy, flat topped, yawn.....:ohno:

^
Yeah, the lack of enthusiasm about the design is no big surprise (IDX in box form), just the same, it's a 500 footer going up in an area that could definitely use one.

Yes, its height makes a "fringe CBD" neighborhood feel like "core CBD".

I think this building will turn out much better looking then the renders give it credit... look at its sister tower next to it. I love the design and colors.

^^

I'm excited about this building. I think it will look great too!!

Yea this one has been growing on it. I guess I like it now because it will look so massive in contrast to the surrounding area.

That with West 8th and 818 Stewart are good steps in moving downtown north (or starting a satellite business core).

I am pretty excited to see this moving forward also, although I do feel for the Cosmo owners... That said, I am hopeful it will look better than the renderings - at least 818 Stewart so far is looking pretty good, and I like that they are incorporating some ground floor public areas into this block.


Oh, and don't forget the plan for the 51-story hotel planned for where the Greyhound station is - this will be a nicely tall area once that is completed :)

I am hopeful it will look better than the renderings -

Huh, I think the renderings make it look great. I have been a fan since I first saw it lol.

It looks better in this rendering than in the one posted on the first page:

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/416/8thandvirginiadf6.jpg

It really dwarfs the Cosmo.

Which building is in front of the 1918, and in between the courthouse and 818?

A condo they were considering way back then.

Too bad that's not what's being built!

That cute condo was being designed by NBBJ. but we could all see that. *L* Looks like a small Two Union Square.

From 06/18...

http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/9676/19188th200806181tf2.jpg

http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/169/19188th200806182la1.jpg

http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/4192/19188th200806183iz0.jpg

This core is rising almost as fast as West 8th did. Probably could be topped out by the end of the year.

Any of the construction guys know the name of the bracing system that is being used to support the shoring?

core is past the 5th floor

They are working on the 7th floor currently, and looking at the webcam - they are ready to bump the crane.

Also does anyone know what the giant raised platform on the 3rd floor (right side) is for? I have never seen this setup before.

Why I like Seattle in the summer:
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h17/seasun_01/2008-07-071024.jpg
from the oxblue camera (10:24 pm image from tonight)

Imagine the same shot in 1 year... Would you even see the space needle or sky? =)

Btw - I still really like this tower.

Also if you look at the picture from the 7th at 8:43 - you can see the really tall supports for the platform I was asking about. =)

In 6 months you'll have the peek-a-boo view you see now! But not much sky.

Great picture!

Glad they moved the cam so you can at least for now see 3 projects at the same time, now if they would just do that at the Bravern .........pan back so you can see more of the project

Found this: http://oxblue.com/pro/open/?webPath=sellen/1918eighth

Great camera view!!!

Nice they moved the camera! =)

Almost time to bump the crane up again, this core is going up quick.

I could just imagine those residents at the Cosmo seeing the day their view disappears inch closer and closer as this tower continues to rise. I feel for them but you can't stop progress.

Will this be all steel like West 8th and 818 Stewart? If so this thing will fly up.

It is indeed steel and may go even faster as it has a smaller floor plate. The thing is that they still have to complete the other half of the below grade parking. That may take a while and I doubt any steel will rise before then!

And 818 Stewart wasn't steel.

That camera is awesome. This is my favourite of the buildings going up.

Tower Crane went "Bump" =)

Can anyone give a ground level update? Looks like the parking has reached street level on the western half. Have they started to do anything on the eastern lower half?

from 7/19
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3213/2683129353_7899df2711_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3267/2683943280_31b252f699_b.jpg

Once the 17th is finished setting in the next few days, this tower core will be halfway done! =)

Also - did you notice this building has a 13th floor, they didnt skip it on the core like other buildings normally do.

Once the 17th is finished setting in the next few days, this tower core will be halfway done! =)

Also - did you notice this building has a 13th floor, they didnt skip it on the core like other buildings normally do.

Isn't usually only residential buildings that skip the 13th?

They didn't skip it on West 8th either. I think those markings are just for during construction anyway.

They skipped the 13th on the Bellevue City Center Project and based on a dicussion on the forum, I thought it was unussual to have a 13th floor.

They skipped the 13th on the Bellevue City Center Project and based on a dicussion on the forum, I thought it was unussual to have a 13th floor.

You may be right. When I live in the University plaza there was no 13th floor.

They didn't skip it on West 8th either. I think those markings are just for during construction anyway.

Look at page 4 of the West 8th thread...they skipped 13.

Look at page 4 of the West 8th thread...they skipped 13.
Oops! I stand corrected. Wonder which building I was thinking of then. Perhaps I was just trying to dispense with a third discussion of the dreaded 13th floor yada yada yada.

Thats fine, you could have just said that... =)

Thats fine, you could have just said that... =)

Well, I've been to office buildings (empire state building comes to mind) that have a thirteenth floor. So does the federal building I used to work in. I dunno I guess maybe it's up to the developer.

21st floor of the core is being poured, that leaves 13 more floors to go. Also the crane should be bumping up again in the next day or so (again!).

I would be interested in some ground shots... I wonder whats going on with the bracing and other half of the parking sections that need to be completed.

21st floor of the core is being poured, that leaves 13 more floors to go. Also the crane should be bumping up again in the next day or so (again!).

I would be interested in some ground shots... I wonder whats going on with the bracing and other half of the parking sections that need to be completed.
Your wish is granted! Drove by and they had tower crane parts on site. Looks like about a 30-40' bump.

This is very exciting!! :D

Looks like they're doing the crane bump today. Went by there this morning and one of the pieces was being lifted up.

Looking at the cam today it looks like the east half of the garage is about 2 levels from street level. If that is right they will be ready for steel long before they finish the core.

Jebus, wasn;t this thing a hole in the ground yesterday?

One question for the pros (or at least someone who knows) What do they do with the wood shoring as they progress up in the holes. Is it left to rot underground, do they remove it as they go up? What happens to it?

Wow, this went up fast... This is a 500 footer, right?

One question for the pros (or at least someone who knows) What do they do with the wood shoring as they progress up in the holes. Is it left to rot underground, do they remove it as they go up? What happens to it?

Shoring systems (wood lagging and steel piles or soil nailed shotcrete walls, etc) are left in place to rot far into the future except - at least in Seattle - if the shoring is in the public right-of-way (sidewalk, alley, etc) then the shoring has to be removed down to 4 feet below grade - I'm pretty sure that's the current measurement. This removal requirement protects the interests of the public to keep the sidewalk zones clear for utility installations.

From 08/22:

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/3238/19188th200808221bi4.jpg

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/7715/19188th200808222ni1.jpg

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/3991/19188th200808223ez8.jpg

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/1662/19188th200808224wv1.jpg

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/9971/19188th200808225ia1.jpg

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/9443/19188th200808226yj3.jpg

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/7330/19188th200808227qt7.jpg

In the last picture, are those support braces? How far along on the parking levels are they on this side (if anyone knows).

Crane bump in the next day or so... this core is rising fast!

Now taller than the Cosmo. They'll probably move the camera back a bit too as the top is out of the current shot.

crane bump!!!

Green shows how much more of the core needs to be built:

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f117/vvebmike/1918.jpg

They are currently pouring the 27th floor and have 7 more floors to go, plus the roof structure.

This is going to be a giant when completed!

I feel so sorry for those who live in the cosmopolitan. Every time i look at the web-cam its so exciting to see how tall the 1918 core is getting.... but then you either see a depressing shadow dwarfing over the Cosmo or cant get over the fact how much taller the tower is going to be. I have to say that its quite interesting to see the height difference of residential vs. office. (9ftvs.15ft ceilings)

Check out the 1918's web-cam at night! 1918's mini-me has added a up-light feature to make a very romantic mood light.... just right.. blinding people's eyes at cosmo... :bash:

http://oxblue.com/pro/open/?webPath=sellen/1918eighth

This is going to be a giant when completed!

The internet appears to be full of misinformation about this. I see varying counts of 37 floors, 34 floors, 32 floors.

Is it going to be 500 feet tall? less? oh well.

It's going to be 500feet regardless of floor count I think....

already looking taller than anything in "midtown"!

Is this area really referred to as "midtown"? Personally, I like that term better than the "Denny Regrade" neighborhood.

There is something sort of artificial about changing neighborhood names, but I think Midtown is a good name. Especially if an office cluster pops up there that's geographically divided from downtown by the retail district. It's also a geographically appropriate name now that our city core has grown towards the north. Downtown really is downtown and Midtown really is midtown.

I'm not as crazy about renaming Lower Queen Anne the 'uptown'. Let's keep QA and LQA and SLU the way they are.

Is this area really referred to as "midtown"? Personally, I like that term better than the "Denny Regrade" neighborhood.

It's Denny Triangle. The Denny Regrade is the Belltown area where Denny Hill once stood.

I like Denny Triangle far more than Midtown. It has more character and is more unique to Seattle. Let's leave midtown to NYC and be our own city. Just my 2 cents.

I like Denny Triangle too. It was a committee-chosen name too, in the 90s, but it's more personalized. I'm still not sure whether it goes to just Westlake or all the way to 6th. Once the Clise land gets built I'll probably consider that part of Belltown (aka the Denny Regrade), and the area east of Westlake as the Denny Triangle.

"Midtown" doesn't say anything. I've heard it used by Escala too I think.

I've lived twice on Lower Queen Anne, and I'll call it Uptown when they pry LQA from my cold dead hands. It's also boring and trite.

I've found myself saying "West Edge" a few times. This collection of neighborhoods didn't have a name previously. The part of First Avenue I work on seems to deserve something other than "First between the Market and Pioneer Square."

"Downtown" is far too subjective to mean much in terms of boundaries. Everyone can draw their own map, and be right to the extent they follow some sort of logic.

I like Denny Triangle too. It was a committee-chosen name too, in the 90s, but it's more personalized. I'm still not sure whether it goes to just Westlake or all the way to 6th. Once the Clise land gets built I'll probably consider that part of Belltown (aka the Denny Regrade), and the area east of Westlake as the Denny Triangle.

"Midtown" doesn't say anything. I've heard it used by Escala too I think.

I've lived twice on Lower Queen Anne, and I'll call it Uptown when they pry LQA from my cold dead hands. It's also boring and trite.

I've found myself saying "West Edge" a few times. This collection of neighborhoods didn't have a name previously. The part of First Avenue I work on seems to deserve something other than "First between the Market and Pioneer Square."

"Downtown" is far too subjective to mean much in terms of boundaries. Everyone can draw their own map, and be right to the extent they follow some sort of logic.

No, they all have strict and precise definitons -created by me -and any alternative definition is wrong because of a set of arbitrary rules I've defined!

:bow:

Ok, got you mokocoko.

Quick question on this end of town:

With the recent economic downturn, how are these places doing for leasing (These places being West 8th, 1918 8th, 818 Stewart, Enso, etc)? Are they still basically empty, or do they have a number of tenants lined up? I know I heard a couple times about the possibility of Microsuck...err Microsoft snatching up all of the Enso office space. How are they doing?

Ok, got you mokocoko.

I didn't mean it that way at all, I was just trying to be funny.

I know!

818-is at least 50% leased...it's just about complete.....turned out very good IMO....
Enso-100% leased
West 8th-????
1918-????

office/retail leasing market is slowing down for sure.....

Drove by 818 the other morning and it looked open! Sidewalks cleared. Lights on. People moving about in the lobby. Might be prepping for a preview/party/event or something.

It has to be getting very close to the steel portion.......not sure where they are at with the garage but only a few more floors for the core......any guesses as to when

818-is at least 50% leased...it's just about complete.....turned out very good IMO....
Enso-100% leased
West 8th-????
1918-????

office/retail leasing market is slowing down for sure.....
Microsoft's upcoming hiring freeze is going to effect the Seattle Office space market big time.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008227096_microsofthiring04.html

not really.......it is a hiring freeze....they are not backing out of their leasses and sub leasing their current space....they just won't be leasing anything in addition to the millions of square feet that they have absorbed this year...........

not really.......it is a hiring freeze....they are not backing out of their leasses and sub leasing their current space....they just won't be leasing anything in addition to the millions of square feet that they have absorbed this year...........

hiring freeze means planned growth is going down.

I work at Group Health and we had a publicized hiring freeze this year just after we moved into SLU. It lasted like 3 months or so while things got rearranged and verrrry slightly downsized and now everything's back to normal growth wise. Dont worry about it.

We should be seeing the crane bump up again in the next day or so... Hurray!

Sections are being added now. I also see that the 1521 crane is finally making its way farther down this morning - it's been on hold through the recent windy weather.

I was thinking that 1918's jump upward today will be the last one for quite some time Seattle. Other cranes will be installed but I can't think of another project that is really going to start in the near future that will require intermediate jumps due to height. Am I not thinking of one in Seattle? Is Bellevue in the same position or are there projects there that still have jumps to do?

hiring freeze means planned growth is going down.

no kidding???? It also means they are hiring only a select basis.....MSFT was not expected to be looking for any new space beyond what they have already committed to.....this is not a detriment to the office market....it means that they won't be swalloming up office space like king kong anymore.......it would be unreasonabe to think that kind of growth is sustainable...........MSFT has done wonders for the office markets of bellevue and seattle over the last several yrs....

I just remembered that Turner's Aspira on Stewart probably requires at least one jump.

I was thinking that 1918's jump upward today will be the last one for quite some time Seattle. Other cranes will be installed but I can't think of another project that is really going to start in the near future that will require intermediate jumps due to height. Am I not thinking of one in Seattle? Is Bellevue in the same position or are there projects there that still have jumps to do?

In terms of current projects, Bellevue has four towers in the 20+ story range that are in their early phases of construction -- two residentials at Bravern, the taller tower by AvalonBay, and the Hyatt expansion. I don't know how tall their cranes are though.

I just remembered that Turner's Aspira on Stewart probably requires at least one jump.
Also, Escala. If they would just raise to the full height, but they plod along at about 5-7 stories above the current working level and raise the crane(s) about every other month - or so it has gone the last year or so.

So easy to forget Escala at the pace it goes at. It'll be right on time for the next boom.

slow and steady win the race?

I guess the final answer on this is that it will be 36 stories (per the Schnitzer website). Makes sense since they are already on floor 35. This is one tall mother!!

I can see it from my apartment window in Fremont. It is impacting Seattle skyline now.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3212/2943104205_cf4aa981d4_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3063/2943979662_eaf53317d2_b.jpg

This building and West 8th are really noticeable from my apartment in Wallingford. I like, I like, it makes us look denser. And as we all know, denser=better:)

This building and West 8th are really noticeable from my apartment in Wallingford. I like, I like, it makes us look denser. And as we all know, denser=better:)

Sweet. Any photos?

I've driven 5 a couple times this week. 1918 8th is going to have a good impact on the north skyline!!!

any idea what restaurants or retail is going on the street level?

I've driven 5 a couple times this week. 1918 8th is going to have a good impact on the north skyline!!!

Has it topped out? IT doens't look much taller than Olive 8

Sweet. Any photos?

I took a couple, but I have a really poor quality camera and there's these power lines in the way. I wish I wasn't so poor, so I could go buy a Nikon D40, but alas.:lol:

It's at a lower elevation than Olive 8, but my guess is it's around 30 or 40 feet taller, in the 490-500' range.

looks like the core has topped off at 36 floors.

I was on the ferry to and from Bainbridge today. 1918 isn't going to be huge from Elliott Bay or Bainbridge, but it definitely sticks out a little, and interrupts the "ramp" skyline.

From yesterday:

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k199/blackc5photos/100_2330.jpg

Damn! Great shot! I can't get enough of that blue.

Hey Blackc5, any shots of the ground level work being done?

Sorry, I didnt get any on Sunday. I should be near again on Thurs and will try to take a few shots if I can.

Super! I'm eager to see the steel rising. Looks like in a little over a week the steel on the 5th/Yesler project is about half way up if not more.

From yesterday:

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k199/blackc5photos/100_2330.jpg

Awesome shot!!!

I don't remember seeing a tower core rise that high without anything else going up yet. Pretty cool looking.

^^ lol maybe its on hold, but oops we built the core already :lol:

oh that would be a nightmare if they put it on hold and just left the core!!!

WaMu probaby rose higher ahead of its steel. But yeah it's pretty tall.

^^ That is true. I remember that.

YEAH!!

Check out today's camera. They moved it to feature the base where you can see a big pile of STEEL!!

http://oxblue.com/pro/open/?webPath=sellen/1918eighth

yep, steel work shouldnt take long at all.

But it STILL looks like they haven't finished the below grade on the eastern side. Am I wrong?

It Watermark torn down yet?

It Watermark torn down yet?
No. But the credit union moved operations next door to 818 Stewart. I'm pretty sure that building will sit vacant for a year or more.

On another note, steel is rising on 1918!

No. But the credit union moved operations next door to 818 Stewart. I'm pretty sure that building will sit vacant for a year or more.

After the condo proposal for that site died, there was a new proposal for an 11 story addition to 1918 8th ave. I believe it was 800 stewart or something like that.

This is exciting........... to finally see the first of steel going up.. it would appear that yes they are done with the eastern side as this is where the first girders are standing along with the ones on the north side:banana:

Interesting. I've never seen escalators installed so early on a project. Check out 11/22/08 at 10:46am and you can see the 2nd one being lowered into place.

http://oxblue.com/pro/open/?webPath=sellen/1918eighth

^^ Sometime escalators are hard to install when buildings are already built. It is much easier to install it when it is under construction.

I remember seeing the escalators installed in WAMU and thinking the same thing. it makes sense though.

Interesting. I've never seen escalators installed so early on a project. Check out 11/22/08 at 10:46am and you can see the 2nd one being lowered into place.

http://oxblue.com/pro/open/?webPath=sellen/1918eighth

Cool find Jim!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3241/3061547769_3db6c916bb_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3281/3061550425_8fb38f9995_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3031/3061548463_660dde6a37_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3208/3062389704_9c6d96226c_b.jpg

Thank you for posting the pictures! =)

It seems like this one will be pretty small floor space wise compared to other office towers.

I'd say the floorplates will be pretty normal. Assuming it's 35 office floors and 650,000 sf, that would be about 18,500 sf per floor.

from black friday

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3145/3068844621_5ca65b2b9d_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3183/3069675516_6e3f77e859_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3219/3068838471_867c3e63d5_b.jpg

Walking out of the Hurricane Cafe tonight I was thinking how awesome and imposing downtown looks like from the Regrade now. Its a wall of towers. Also 1918's elevator core going straight up into the clouds looked really eerie.

http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo17/ryanfrazier86/013.jpg<p>
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo17/ryanfrazier86/Photo-0033.jpg<p>
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo17/ryanfrazier86/011.jpg<p>
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo17/ryanfrazier86/010.jpg<p>
Just some pictures from on top of the core...

wow........thanks for those shots..........hope you will be taking more. It is great to get these from someone actually on the job

Oh snap! Nice pics and welcome to the forum!

Thanks for the welcome! I'm no longer on that job due to the core being completed. I wish I would have known about this forum a long time ago because I would have been taking pictures like no other. I'll try to see if any of the guys I worked with have any pics to post. Here's one my buddy took.
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo17/ryanfrazier86/l_aa221662900044f7899f1d4f7bffe43d.jpg

^^ Awesome shots! Welcome to SCC! :cheers:

Woo!!! Cool pictures! Welcome to SCC, I'm also from South Hill!!

SSC ;)

Woo!!! Cool pictures! Welcome to SCC, I'm also from South Hill!!

Woo! Spokane Community College! Woo Spokane's South Hill!

Those are some great shots. I think we all have been wanting to see some pics from the construction workers. Welcome to the forum!

The steel is moving', and i must say the floor plates look very tiny. I'm surprised the width of the elevator core didn't fade off as it went up like West & 8th.

"Honey I'm off to work.......8hrs later....... I'm home, today was such a exhausting day, luckily we have these amazing views of the city, What the f*$&^, were the view go" ........ A gift from 1918, Happy holiday's Residence of the Cosmopolitan.

This would suck so much!

Guess it makes up for it in number of floors with like 8 more then west 8th. But yeah lol cosmo, the massive core must already be annoying, now it will be completely eclipsed!

All will know sooner than later the effects. This thing should have steel completed by the end of February. They look to be doing a couple floors every 5 days.

From Capitol Hill its looking like with 1918 and Escala, etc. that "midtown" is like an entirely seperate downtown from the Financial District. And way more filled-in. Pretty cool.

From Capitol Hill its looking like with 1918 and Escala, etc. that "midtown" is like an entirely seperate downtown from the Financial District. And way more filled-in. Pretty cool.

Yeah, if you look at this shot I took from the top of capitol hill, you can see the separation of this buildings from the others:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3193/3090850223_a09a7c82e1_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3157/3090719663_52bfe42644_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3152/3090778643_579cb70d6b_b.jpg
Sorry the photos suck, I'm still learning to use the camera :(

^^ No, you did great this time! :)

I can see what you mean about towers being separated from each other. I also like it when towers are spread out around downtown Seattle. It give developers opportunities to infill more and more towers to make downtown Seattle look much bigger.

Yea its like we have the Financial District, then another bunch south of the Retail Core and then Midtown.

dec 31st

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3247/3158965646_ee17ec5fe9_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3103/3158133143_64f5e4d5bb_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3107/3158964894_4e786aa7a1_b.jpg

^^ WOW! Iron part is raising faster now! I think it might top out by end of this month.

^^ WOW! Iron part is raising faster now! I think it might top out by end of this month.

I hope so the building should have topped out a little while back. The steel has been too slow. I have heard open ended industry speculation that this building is either a) trying to stretch their construction financing or b) in trouble....but who knows.

When was it supposed to have topped out?

They are up to 17 from the webcam, looks like some of the cladding is being put on the bottom as well.

Looks like they will have half of the steel work done by the end of the week since they are working on 17 and 18 now, seems to be moving quickly.

Anyone a Cosmopolitan Resident on the 1918 side??? how's the noise level?

I'm sure the newly installed blaring construction lights must give a nice ambiance at night.

When was it supposed to have topped out?

I never saw a specific date but the steel should only take a few weeks not mutilple months.

(This is one of the buildings along with West8 and 5th and Yesler that I believe are leading the race toward bankruptcy)

I never saw a specific date but the steel should only take a few weeks not mutilple months.

(This is one of the buildings along with West8 and 5th and Yesler that I believe are leading the race toward bankruptcy)

I thought 5th and Yesler was Martin Selig who has fairly deep pockets and could wait out the real estate collaspe.

I'm think he'll appreciate that kind remark.

I thought 5th and Yesler was Martin Selig who has fairly deep pockets and could wait out the real estate collaspe.
Wasn't that building supposed to be a city employee building?

Wasn't that building supposed to be a city employee building?

Martin Selig is rich but his pockets are not that deep. He is no stranger to developing projects that go banbkrupt (Columbia Tower and Met Park).

5th and Yestler is a spec office project. It sits next to the newly constructed Chinook building, which is County building...you might be confusing those. Last I heard 5th and Yesler was persuing the EPA as a tenant...

I don't think it will ever top out this month since it is rising little more slowly right now.

By the end of March is my bet.

By the end of March is my bet.

For the steel only, or steel and cladding?

Steel only. Probably mid to late March given current pace. Cladding seems to be a slightly slower pace as is the cement-floor pouring.

Seems they are doing 2 floors every 5 or 6 days. they are about to complete 21 and 22 so that leaves 14 more........7 more weeks? Mid to late March seems about right

Looks like as of this morning, 1918 is now taller than the Cosmo. I guess everyone now can get used to their new view! I didn't realize that 1918 was wider than the Cosmo. No peek-abooing around it.

Looks like as of this morning, 1918 is now taller than the Cosmo. I guess everyone now can get used to their new view! I didn't realize that 1918 was wider than the Cosmo. No peek-abooing around it.

I noticed that as well. When the steel finally got as high as Cosmo the building looks like it's going to be pretty big. Still not as big as some of the goliaths, but big.

It's sexy, even though it's a box, I like it.

And the amazing thing, driving into Seattle from the south along the viaduct, you can still only see the central core. No steel visible yet (at least of a few days ago) from that vantage.

01/26

http://i43.tinypic.com/oshbw9.jpg

01/30

http://i42.tinypic.com/2rgezhl.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/rbgqqv.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/6863rm.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/2vcdv81.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/29qnty8.jpg

http://i42.tinypic.com/2e3vjoy.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/2v9u1c5.jpg

01/31

http://i44.tinypic.com/wwk8hu.jpg

Anyone know why ironwork has halted on this project? They were running along so nicely, but I haven't seen any height added in over 2 weeks.

^^ I wondering about that too.

Why rush??? What's to worry about' the weather getting warmer and there are no future tenants to fill the building...:nuts:

The windows started going up on this one today!

The general speculation is that the developer is slowing the project to extend their construction financing....

OK, so it wasn't glass going up but rather facade. Good news though. I saw more steel being hauled up to the top. Work restarted in that department?

yup, two more floors added. I was starting to get a little concerned when it looked like work had stopped.

From what ive read on a few blogs, there are rumblings that they may finish the exterior, but leave floors unfinished that they cant sell.

Not to spread any unfounded rumors or anything :angel: