South Lake Union Development News - Page 16

CityView Jim · May 9th, 2012, 08:28 PM

Great post!

Amazing how that primo spot (Mercer/Fairview) is yet to have planned development. Seems to cycle through furniture showrooms. Something better could go there though.

Rogue Linguist · May 10th, 2012, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMacherat

That small forest of stubbies is inspirational indeed and quite a surprise coming from the final South Lake Union Height and Density Environmental Impact Statement and Nothing Too Scary Please Tea Club.

Yeah. I like it primarily because it's a lot more daring than I expected from the "Nothing Too Scary/Taupe Breadboxes Only" Tea Club. Obviously I would like it to be even more daring.

BellevueBoy · May 10th, 2012, 06:09 PM

How's SLU in the evenings now? I imagine there's some pedestrians along Terry going to Brave Horse and Cactus but that's about it. I used to work down there and it was bustling during lunch but is a ghost town by 6pm. Kind of like all of downtown Seattle twenty years ago.

seapug · May 10th, 2012, 06:31 PM

It's ok. It's not completely dead like it was 3 years ago, but it's not bustling either. My parents bought a condo there, and it's been very interesting watching the neighborhood grow. The 1,200 + new apartments coming to the area should help.

SteveM · May 10th, 2012, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seapug

It's ok. It's not completely dead like it was 3 years ago, but it's not bustling either. My parents bought a condo there, and it's been very interesting watching the neighborhood grow. The 1,200 + new apartments coming to the area should help.

I'm not going to wring my hands over this too much, but it's a little disappointing how all the office space is clustered around Westlake and the residential is east of Fairview or west of 9th around Dexter. I suspect the residential/office dispersion adds to the lack of bustle -- office-oriented lunch spots are a moderate walk for a residentially-oriented dinner crowd.

On the plus side, the distances involved are pretty short. And anywhere with no residential upstairs has better music venue potential.

mhays · May 10th, 2012, 09:01 PM

A 157-unit project was proposed on the north side of Denny Park this week. Terry & John opens next year. The wave in Cascade (*) is coming in the next few years including the Stack House and low-income projects underway now. There's also one announced recently on Boren. Plus the ones on Dexter. Combined that's 2,000 units in this wave if they all happen, in maybe 300 acres.

Ok, that's a fraction of the unit count needed to contribute significantly to 300 acres being a busy area, even mixed with what's there now. Cascade will reach a decent residential density, but resident counts between Fairview, Denny, and Aurora will remain very low for the moment. But even scattered new buildings will be big steps in the right direction. And there's a ton more room for growth.

* The Cascade name is used differently by some people. During the Commons effort, it generally refered to the area between I-5, ramps, Fairview, and Denny.

BellevueBoy · May 10th, 2012, 10:28 PM

Are there any plans for the large empty blocks between Mercer and Valley? The side facing Valley are great sites for more residential units and/or an extension of South Lake Union Park.

Ruffhauser · May 10th, 2012, 11:41 PM

From todays DJC; the 157-apartment that mhays speaks of.

http://www.djc.com/news/re/12040809.html

157 apartments for S. Lake Union site
By JOURNAL STAFF
SEATTLE — MacFarlane Partners of San Francisco is moving forward with plans to build a 157-unit apartment building in South Lake Union.

The half-acre site, at 777 Thomas St., is at the southwest corner of Thomas Street and Eighth Avenue North, near Denny Park. MacFarlane, a developer and real estate investment manager, purchased the site for $6.25 million last December. Two commercial buildings totaling 21,600 square feet would be demolished.

The design for the new building calls for seven stories and includes nine live-work units. Underground parking for 93 vehicles is also planned.

Ankrom Moison is the architect.

MacFarlane told the DJC in January that it was looking to begin construction by the end of the year.

The city has scheduled the first early design guidance meeting for July 11.

What is there now? I'm pretty sure this is right.

image hosted on flickr

meku · May 11th, 2012, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BellevueBoy

Are there any plans for the large empty blocks between Mercer and Valley? The side facing Valley are great sites for more residential units and/or an extension of South Lake Union Park.

No sound plans yet, but I think most of us are hoping for some skinny residential towers to fill the blocks - a hotel would be great too. Generally, residential buildings should off-set the predominantly office type buildings (Amazon, UW and some other offices clustered in around south Westlake Ave) to the north of the new Mercer.

CityView Jim · May 11th, 2012, 03:28 AM

Be really nice if the ground floor levels (residential above) of those three blocks were restaurants and bars with ample plaza and outdoor seating. Kind of a restaurant row right across from the park. Imagine it on major weekends like the 4th of July!

meku · May 11th, 2012, 04:20 AM

That would be great, especially with Valley turned into a more of a residential street.

mhays · May 11th, 2012, 05:56 AM

I could dig that. It might do really well. Maybe that stretch could be a general tourist spot, or local tourist spot, given that locals might be the top market for MOHAI. Of course worker lunches would be a big part of it.

CityView Jim · May 11th, 2012, 06:05 PM

Speaking of dig, any work lately on 202 Westlake Seasun? I notice the street is closed between Westlake and Terry. but that may be for 975 John St Project.

Seasun · May 12th, 2012, 09:04 AM

There have been a few guys on the site this week whenever I look there. I still can't see why they closed the sidewalk and parking lane on Westlake.

CityView Jim · May 12th, 2012, 04:34 PM

Thanks for the update.

If there were something truly sinister going on as far as settlement or a void or something, I would think they would have to shut down the streetcar given its weight.

Hoping things pick up soon. This is one of my favorite projects for 'completing' Westlake Ave N.

Seasun · May 12th, 2012, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CityView Jim

Thanks for the update.

If there were something truly sinister going on as far as settlement or a void or something, I would think they would have to shut down the streetcar given its weight.

Hoping things pick up soon. This is one of my favorite projects for 'completing' Westlake Ave N.

Just walked by the site a minute ago and got a few words out of a guy when I casually asked what the deal was. There's a tieback (shoring) crew working this morning and basically they're getting a "fix" done so things should be getting going full speed soon.

LCIII · May 12th, 2012, 06:34 PM

Great news- thanks!

bgwah · May 12th, 2012, 09:14 PM

http://www.salon.com/2012/05/05/whol...buy/singleton/

Saw that posted on SSP. I guess it turned out to be true in SLU's case!

CityView Jim · May 12th, 2012, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgwah

http://www.salon.com/2012/05/05/whol...buy/singleton/

Saw that posted on SSP. I guess it turned out to be true in SLU's case!

Shall we give it 5 years for the Interbay Area? I'm skeptical.

CityView Jim · June 2nd, 2012, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seasun

Just walked by the site a minute ago and got a few words out of a guy when I casually asked what the deal was. There's a tieback (shoring) crew working this morning and basically they're getting a "fix" done so things should be getting going full speed soon.

Looks like this may be fully excavated (at a quick glance). Shouldn't we se a tower crane anyway??

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

May 9th, 2012, 08:28 PM	#301
CityView Jim Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,963 Likes (Received): 64	Great post! Amazing how that primo spot (Mercer/Fairview) is yet to have planned development. Seems to cycle through furniture showrooms. Something better could go there though.

May 10th, 2012, 06:09 PM	#303
BellevueBoy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,058 Likes (Received): 0	How's SLU in the evenings now? I imagine there's some pedestrians along Terry going to Brave Horse and Cactus but that's about it. I used to work down there and it was bustling during lunch but is a ghost town by 6pm. Kind of like all of downtown Seattle twenty years ago.

May 10th, 2012, 06:31 PM	#304
seapug Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: seattle Posts: 533 Likes (Received): 34	It's ok. It's not completely dead like it was 3 years ago, but it's not bustling either. My parents bought a condo there, and it's been very interesting watching the neighborhood grow. The 1,200 + new apartments coming to the area should help.

May 10th, 2012, 09:01 PM	#306
mhays Journeyman Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 8,380 Likes (Received): 119	A 157-unit project was proposed on the north side of Denny Park this week. Terry & John opens next year. The wave in Cascade () is coming in the next few years including the Stack House and low-income projects underway now. There's also one announced recently on Boren. Plus the ones on Dexter. Combined that's 2,000 units in this wave if they all happen, in maybe 300 acres. Ok, that's a fraction of the unit count needed to contribute significantly to 300 acres being a busy area, even mixed with what's there now. Cascade will reach a decent residential density, but resident counts between Fairview, Denny, and Aurora will remain very low for the moment. But even scattered new buildings will be big steps in the right direction. And there's a ton more room for growth. The Cascade name is used differently by some people. During the Commons effort, it generally refered to the area between I-5, ramps, Fairview, and Denny.

May 10th, 2012, 10:28 PM	#307
BellevueBoy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,058 Likes (Received): 0	Are there any plans for the large empty blocks between Mercer and Valley? The side facing Valley are great sites for more residential units and/or an extension of South Lake Union Park.

May 10th, 2012, 11:41 PM	#308
Ruffhauser Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: North Belltown Posts: 1,352 Likes (Received): 217	From todays DJC; the 157-apartment that mhays speaks of. http://www.djc.com/news/re/12040809.html 157 apartments for S. Lake Union site By JOURNAL STAFF SEATTLE — MacFarlane Partners of San Francisco is moving forward with plans to build a 157-unit apartment building in South Lake Union. The half-acre site, at 777 Thomas St., is at the southwest corner of Thomas Street and Eighth Avenue North, near Denny Park. MacFarlane, a developer and real estate investment manager, purchased the site for $6.25 million last December. Two commercial buildings totaling 21,600 square feet would be demolished. The design for the new building calls for seven stories and includes nine live-work units. Underground parking for 93 vehicles is also planned. Ankrom Moison is the architect. MacFarlane told the DJC in January that it was looking to begin construction by the end of the year. The city has scheduled the first early design guidance meeting for July 11. What is there now? I'm pretty sure this is right. image hosted on flickr

May 11th, 2012, 03:28 AM	#310
CityView Jim Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,963 Likes (Received): 64	Be really nice if the ground floor levels (residential above) of those three blocks were restaurants and bars with ample plaza and outdoor seating. Kind of a restaurant row right across from the park. Imagine it on major weekends like the 4th of July!

May 11th, 2012, 04:20 AM	#311
meku Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 985 Likes (Received): 15	That would be great, especially with Valley turned into a more of a residential street.

May 11th, 2012, 05:56 AM	#312
mhays Journeyman Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 8,380 Likes (Received): 119	I could dig that. It might do really well. Maybe that stretch could be a general tourist spot, or local tourist spot, given that locals might be the top market for MOHAI. Of course worker lunches would be a big part of it.

May 11th, 2012, 06:05 PM	#313
CityView Jim Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,963 Likes (Received): 64	Speaking of dig, any work lately on 202 Westlake Seasun? I notice the street is closed between Westlake and Terry. but that may be for 975 John St Project.

May 12th, 2012, 09:04 AM	#314
Seasun Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 2,558 Likes (Received): 43	There have been a few guys on the site this week whenever I look there. I still can't see why they closed the sidewalk and parking lane on Westlake.

May 12th, 2012, 04:34 PM	#315
CityView Jim Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,963 Likes (Received): 64	Thanks for the update. If there were something truly sinister going on as far as settlement or a void or something, I would think they would have to shut down the streetcar given its weight. Hoping things pick up soon. This is one of my favorite projects for 'completing' Westlake Ave N.

May 12th, 2012, 06:34 PM	#317
LCIII Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 2,870 Likes (Received): 64	Great news- thanks!

May 12th, 2012, 09:14 PM	#318
bgwah honk!!! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Kirkland, WA Posts: 1,748 Likes (Received): 77	http://www.salon.com/2012/05/05/whol...buy/singleton/ Saw that posted on SSP. I guess it turned out to be true in SLU's case!