Does the Elevated Park Stand a Chance Against Developers?
When it was announced that the Alaskan Way Viaduct would finally be coming down and be replaced with a tunnel, there was much rejoicing around Seattle. Okay, that may not be true, but most folks seemed to agree that the Viaduct needed to go before The Big One got rid of it for us. So it came as a bit of surprise when we first heard about the idea to turn a chunk of the viaduct into an elevated park not unlike Manhattan's High Line. It sounded like the the kind of thing that might disappear as soon as it was announced. And yet, here we are a year later getting ready to vote on the proposal on the next November ballot. People like Tom Douglas have thrown support behind the project but there's one group of individuals with a vested financial interest in seeing the viaduct go bye-bye who will likely to lobbying against it: Downtown Seattle's developers.$500 Belltown Apartments; Edith Macefield House Needs $
· Neighbors sue parents of Portage Bay girl who feeds crows [KIRO]
· Gridiron Condos Coming to Seattle's Pioneer Square [Redfin]
· Organization offers $500 apartments in Belltown [K5]
· The 'Up' house hasn't dodged the wrecking ball just yet [PSBJ]
· Brenda Hits a Snag, Tunneling to Resume Next Week [STB]
· Columbia Center seller's next big project is on Seattle's waterfront[PSBJ]
· Gridiron Condos Coming to Seattle's Pioneer Square [Redfin]
· Organization offers $500 apartments in Belltown [K5]
· The 'Up' house hasn't dodged the wrecking ball just yet [PSBJ]
· Brenda Hits a Snag, Tunneling to Resume Next Week [STB]
· Columbia Center seller's next big project is on Seattle's waterfront[PSBJ]
$6,400/Mo. Rental; Brick Buildings in Big Trouble in Big Quake
· City's old brick buildings could see huge damage in big quake [ST]
· What it looked like when E Pike was pedestrian only [CHS]
· Downtown Seattle development poses challenges, opportunities to art dealers [ST]
· Governor wants to beat Seattle tunnel contractor like a cheap mule[MyN]
· Blue Line Travel Times in 2023 [STB]
· The neighborhood numbers shaping Seattle's council races [CC]
· SLU apartments sell for $41M [DJC]
· $1.35M artsy Seattle loft condo was 'a citadel of culture' [PSBJ]
· $6,400 a month for a one-bedroom in South Lake Union? [PSBJ]
· What it looked like when E Pike was pedestrian only [CHS]
· Downtown Seattle development poses challenges, opportunities to art dealers [ST]
· Governor wants to beat Seattle tunnel contractor like a cheap mule[MyN]
· Blue Line Travel Times in 2023 [STB]
· The neighborhood numbers shaping Seattle's council races [CC]
· SLU apartments sell for $41M [DJC]
· $1.35M artsy Seattle loft condo was 'a citadel of culture' [PSBJ]
· $6,400 a month for a one-bedroom in South Lake Union? [PSBJ]
Five Properties Worth Buying Along Metro Bus Route 66
Seattle has buses. Use them! In which case you might as well find a place to live along a line. One line at a time. Here's the next one, selected at random for the fun of it.
Route 66 almost acts like it doesn't like the UW campus. It runs from Northgate, down Roosevelt, through the U District, but skips the campus on its way to downtown. That's okay. A lot of those folks probably spent enough years at the U already. Do riders get a discount for humming the tune, Route 66?
↑ If this is a flip, they flipped it well. Just about two years ago, this 3 bedroom, 1 bath, 1,570 square foot house sold for $370,000. Now, they're asking $695,000 for what appears to be a very clean and tidy 1955 rambler. It's empty, appears to have spotless walls and ceiling, and has a basement finished enough for an extra resident. Even the 4,356 square foot backyard is trimmed and landscaped with raised bedsand a trellis waiting for a new crop of greenery.
Seattle's Columbia Center Sold For Whopping $711 Million
This news hit late Friday but it's worth noting today. Columbia Center, the 76-story skyscraper that tops the Seattle skyline, was sold last week to Hong Kong-based Gaw Capital Partners for $711 million. It's considered the third-biggest real estate transaction in region history. It also beats out the previous sale price as Beacon Capital Partnerspaid $621 million for the 1.5 million-square-foot tower in April 2007. While Asian investors have been buying up property in Puget Sound region for a while, this is the biggest deal so far and some think a sign of what's to come. Case in point, the Seattle Times also reports that Gaw also has a deal pending to purchase the 27-story Seattle Tower at 1218 Third Avenue.· Columbia Center sold to Hong Kong investors [ST]
· The Ten Tallest Buildings In Seattle [CS]
Image: Ivan Andreevich
Climb Atop the Smith Tower For the Changing of the Flag
You've either stared at the tippy-top of Seattle's iconic Smith Towerand wondered what it would be like to stand up there or you haven't. For those who haven't, you probably want to skip this video. For those who have, get ready to find out. Unico Properties, who owns the Smith Tower, recently uploaded a GoPro video featuring chief engineer Cory Jackson (and trusty assistant Moses) as he changes the American flag at the very top. You might notice that Jackson starts out in a cozy-looking room before ascending up the ladder. That would be penthouse where the very lucky Franklin family lives. As you probably guessed and now know, it's one hell of a view up there. Wanna give it a go?
Expedia Plans Campus Expansion; Viaduct Park Plan Support
· Commission hints at final Seattle Arena vote in Sept. [K5]
· Saturday could be Seattle's wettest since mid-April [ST]
· Expedia has long-term plan to vastly expand new campus [ST]
· Even with water worries, Volunteer Park Reservoir being considered for decommissioning [CHS]
· Single-family Seattle isn't as big as density boosters claim [CC]
· The Mystery of the Central District Surveillance Cameras [SLOG]
· Seattle restaurateur Tom Douglas supports viaduct park plan [PSBJ]
· ATF confirms surveillance cameras installed throughout Seattle [CC]
· Saturday could be Seattle's wettest since mid-April [ST]
· Expedia has long-term plan to vastly expand new campus [ST]
· Even with water worries, Volunteer Park Reservoir being considered for decommissioning [CHS]
· Single-family Seattle isn't as big as density boosters claim [CC]
· The Mystery of the Central District Surveillance Cameras [SLOG]
· Seattle restaurateur Tom Douglas supports viaduct park plan [PSBJ]
· ATF confirms surveillance cameras installed throughout Seattle [CC]
This Week in Strange, Weird & Terrible Seattle Real Estate Listing Photos
As the weekend approaches, let's take a look around the Seattle real estate listings to find some examples of the strange, the weird and just the plain terrible. (Come across one we missed? let us know…)
For those quiet, romantic evenings with just the two of you in the basement alone together...
Pedestrian Pilot Program; Smoking Ban Won't Affect Hempfest
· Younger, more diverse Seattle City Council may be ahead [ST]
· Crowdfunding helps finance Oak Harbor housing deal [DJC]
· Mapping the Nuclear Bombs in Seattle's Backyard [MJ]
· Y Student Center in Tacoma wins award [DJC]
· Pilot project to make 3 blocks of E Pike pedestrian-only starts Saturday night [CHS]
· Seattle rents on the rise, rank 8th in nation [MyN]
· Seattle's Smoking Ban In Parks Will Not Interfere With Hempfest[KPLU]
· Rainier Avenue South Begins Its Road Diet [KUOW]
· Bill Gates got a smokin' hot deal on rent in the Dexter Horton Building [PSBJ]
· Crowdfunding helps finance Oak Harbor housing deal [DJC]
· Mapping the Nuclear Bombs in Seattle's Backyard [MJ]
· Y Student Center in Tacoma wins award [DJC]
· Pilot project to make 3 blocks of E Pike pedestrian-only starts Saturday night [CHS]
· Seattle rents on the rise, rank 8th in nation [MyN]
· Seattle's Smoking Ban In Parks Will Not Interfere With Hempfest[KPLU]
· Rainier Avenue South Begins Its Road Diet [KUOW]
· Bill Gates got a smokin' hot deal on rent in the Dexter Horton Building [PSBJ]
POPULAR
Seattle's Historic Dexter Horton Building Back on the Market
Built in 1924 to pay tribute to one of Seattle's founding fathers, it seems the Dexter Horton Building at 710 2nd Avenue isn't one that many companies want to hold onto for too long. The Carlyle Group and Goodman Real Estate acquired it from the city in 2000 for $46 million. After an overhaul and refurbishment, they sold it to LaSalle Investment Management in 2006 for $81 million. Gerding Edlen bought it from them in 2013 just over $76.6 million. If they were keeping to the pattern, they'd sell it around 2019 or so. Instead, they're selling it right now after pumping $7.4 million in upgrades into the terra-cotta clad historic site. No word on asking price but the 336,500-square-foot building is currently 89 percent leased and currently home to companies such as Bill Gates' Corbis Corp., AOL and Vix Technology.
· For sale: Downtown Seattle's landmark Dexter Horton Building [PSBJ]
· Seattle's historic Dexter Horton Building sold for $77M [ST]
· Regal Restoration [NREI]
· Mapping Seattle's Most Significant Terra Cotta Buildings [CS]
· For sale: Downtown Seattle's landmark Dexter Horton Building [PSBJ]
· Seattle's historic Dexter Horton Building sold for $77M [ST]
· Regal Restoration [NREI]
· Mapping Seattle's Most Significant Terra Cotta Buildings [CS]
Everett Courthouse Boondoggle; Inside Edith Macefield's House
· 'Boondoggle' courthouse in Everett may be wasting millions [KOMO]
· KIRO 7 investigates how squatters are manipulating the law to live rent free [KIRO]
· 12 Reasons Why Living in Seattle Is Great [Storage]
· Seattle Times Editorial is, shock, against rent control [ST]
· Deadly corridor getting facelift in South Seattle [MyN]
· Look Inside Edith Macefield's House Before It's Barged To Orcas Island [KUOW]
· 'Future hub' of Chinese culture breaks ground on Seattle' eastside[MyN]
· Sound Transit Likely to Expand Permit Parking [STB]
· In Ballard, Protesting A Tent City And Mourning A Tree [KUOW]
· Amazon angst: from traffic to housing, we're all worked up [ST]
· KIRO 7 investigates how squatters are manipulating the law to live rent free [KIRO]
· 12 Reasons Why Living in Seattle Is Great [Storage]
· Seattle Times Editorial is, shock, against rent control [ST]
· Deadly corridor getting facelift in South Seattle [MyN]
· Look Inside Edith Macefield's House Before It's Barged To Orcas Island [KUOW]
· 'Future hub' of Chinese culture breaks ground on Seattle' eastside[MyN]
· Sound Transit Likely to Expand Permit Parking [STB]
· In Ballard, Protesting A Tent City And Mourning A Tree [KUOW]
· Amazon angst: from traffic to housing, we're all worked up [ST]
Seattle Has Rats; New Ballard-to-Wallingford Sewer Tunnel
· Oh, rats! Seattle ranks No. 7 for rat sightings [ST]
· New mystery tenant lined up for Charlie's on Broadway space [CHS]
· Hundreds attend community meeting by proposed Market Street encampment site [MyB]
· Seattle planning to bore another tunnel under Ballard, Fremont and Wallingford [MyN]
· Making the Ballard Bridge Safe for Cyclists [SLOG]
· What will kickstart Northwest's earthquake preparations? [CC]
· City Council likely to send elevated viaduct park to voters even though it's 'inconsistent' with waterfront plan [PSBJ]
· The many forms of rage beneath "Seattle nice" [CC]
· New mystery tenant lined up for Charlie's on Broadway space [CHS]
· Hundreds attend community meeting by proposed Market Street encampment site [MyB]
· Seattle planning to bore another tunnel under Ballard, Fremont and Wallingford [MyN]
· Making the Ballard Bridge Safe for Cyclists [SLOG]
· What will kickstart Northwest's earthquake preparations? [CC]
· City Council likely to send elevated viaduct park to voters even though it's 'inconsistent' with waterfront plan [PSBJ]
· The many forms of rage beneath "Seattle nice" [CC]
Federal Reserve Building Solution? Put a High-Rise On it
Portland likes to "put a bird on it." Seattle likes to put a skyscraper on it. That's the plan from Martin Selig Real Estate, who won ownershipof the old Federal Reserve Building at 1015 Second Avenue following a public auction with a $16M bid in February. Instead of tearing down the four-story structure, Selig plans to build a 29-story tower right on top of it. Separating the old from the new would be a three-story winter garden with open space for people to walk around. Above that, the tower would rise to 470 feet and contain 533,000 square feet of office space. The big issue? The old Fed is on the National Register of Historic Places and they'll also have to get approval from Seattle's Landmarks Preservation Board. The roof of the building isn't considered historic, hence the ability to plan for alterations there. Selig also said that he has already rented out the space inside the original structure but is not saying who it is yet. Selig, along with architect Perkins + Will, contractor Lease Crutcher Lewis and structural engineer KPFF Consulting are hoping to begin construction in mid-2016.
Seattle Among Best Big Cities; Rainier Square Deal Sneaky?
· Did city cave to UW on Rainier Square development deal? [UW]
· Seattle Among Best Large Cities to Live in [WH]
· Seattle plans crackdown on indoor smoking lounges [ST]
· How much of Seattle's housing is affordable? No one knows for sure[CC]
· Seattle's "most dangerous street" will see changes, Murray announces [CC]
· Elevated waterfront park in the hot seat at Seattle City Council meeting [MyN]
· Drivers top fish in Seattle's new traffic plans [MyN]
· July Stats Preview: Stale Summer Edition [SB]
· Dwell Development is putting 3 houses on one lot in Ballard [DJC]
· Mack Urban goes big on first SLU apartment tower [PSBJ]
· SDOT seeks bids for Westlake cycle track [DJC]
· Oakwood, Mapletree branch out in Seattle by buying apartments [DJC]
· Seattle Among Best Large Cities to Live in [WH]
· Seattle plans crackdown on indoor smoking lounges [ST]
· How much of Seattle's housing is affordable? No one knows for sure[CC]
· Seattle's "most dangerous street" will see changes, Murray announces [CC]
· Elevated waterfront park in the hot seat at Seattle City Council meeting [MyN]
· Drivers top fish in Seattle's new traffic plans [MyN]
· July Stats Preview: Stale Summer Edition [SB]
· Dwell Development is putting 3 houses on one lot in Ballard [DJC]
· Mack Urban goes big on first SLU apartment tower [PSBJ]
· SDOT seeks bids for Westlake cycle track [DJC]
· Oakwood, Mapletree branch out in Seattle by buying apartments [DJC]
Five Properties Worth Buying Along Metro Bus Route 212
Seattle has buses. Use them! In which case you might as well find a place to live along a line. One line at a time. Here's the next one, selected at random for the fun of it.
No muss. No fuss. Just jump on the bus and there'll only be a stop or two on your way from Eastgate to Downtown Seattle. Route 212 doesn't get distracted with a lot of extra stops, but then, much of its route is the I-90 floating bridge so the bus might as well just move on through.
↑ With a price like $999,995, will the buyer offer $1,000,000 just to make writing out the check easier, or go to $999,999.99 just because they can? In any case, it is now $50,000 cheaper because they just chopped the price. This 3 bedroom, 3 bath house has 4,318 square feet, but the room that is most memorable may be the kitchen. It looks like it is laid out and lit for a celebrity chef who's about to perform for an in-house audience. The rest of the house is decorated in subtle earth tones, but it is the kitchen that shines. Wear your shades when you cook.
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