Cornerspotted: The Old Seattle Municipal Building
Yesterday, we asked you to guess what this already-gone Seattle building being built in 1961 was. Kalakalot gets the gold star recognizing the old Seattle Municipal Building, which was otherwise known as City Hall.
Image: Wikimedia, Wikimedia
The Municipal Building was completed for $7 million in 1962 by Damm, Daum and Associates and J.N. MacCammon. Features of the 12-story building included a roof top garden and a then-modern telephone system called "Centrex." Often compared to a giant motel (or worse), the building was replaced onsite by the new City Hall in 2003 rather than go through costly renovations. To be fair, no one seems to miss it these days.
· Seattle City Halls [Seattle]
· Seattle City Halls [Seattle]
How Do 'High-Occupancy' Airbnb Rentals Affect Seattle Rents?
Recently, a lot of people have been laying the blame for Seattle's lack of affordability at the feet of Amazon. The real answer is more likely that Amazon is just one of many factors that play a role, but there's another company playing a part whose name starts with A that's probably worth mentioning: Airbnb. Seattle Weekly has a story out this week on the local accommodations company that's been a boon for homeowners in cities such as Seattle. According to data from Inside Airbnb, roughly 40 percent of Seattle's Airbnb units are "high-frequency vacation rentals," which means they're occupied by guests at least 172 nights a year. That comes out to about 2,711 units around Seattle. 2,711 residences that are effectively off the table to renters and potential homeowners looking for a place to live. Broken down by neighborhood, it's 377 units in Downtown, 229 in Queen Anne and 164 units in Ballard. Maybe that doesn't sound like a lot, but given the inventory issues around town in affordable units, it adds up. Just like with the Amazon arguments, there's a lot of gray area in the theory, but it's a reminder that when discussing Seattle's housing issues, the issue goes beyond "A" company.
· Airbnb Is Soaring in Seattle. Is It Causing Rent to Do the Same? [SW]
· How Amazon Swallowed Seattle [Gawker]
· Inside Airbnb [IA]
· Airbnb Is Soaring in Seattle. Is It Causing Rent to Do the Same? [SW]
· How Amazon Swallowed Seattle [Gawker]
· Inside Airbnb [IA]
4th & Columbia Skyscraper Coming Soon to Seattle Skyline
PSBJ is reporting that developer Crescent Heights has submitted plans to build a 1.2 million square-foot skyscraper at Fourth Avenue and Columbia Street, currently the home of Columbia Parking and another parking lot. While it's unknown how many stories the building would be, plans call for 840 residential units, 160,000 square feet of office space, 30,000 square feet of retail and 400 parking stalls, presumably underground. Add that to the other 106 projects currently planned or under construction around Seattle that will redefine the skyline as well as the city itself. In fact, this building will be just around the corner from Columbia Center as well as two other high-rises currently under development. LMN will be the architects on the project.
· Miami developer plans huge, new skyscraper in downtown Seattle[PSBJ]
· Miami developer plans huge, new skyscraper in downtown Seattle[PSBJ]
Double Your Pleasure With This Two-For-One $1.2M Loft
Originally in the Fix Madore Building at 1507 Western Avenue, there was a Unit 402 and a Unit 403. At some point, someone combined the two live/work loft spaces into one 1,540 square-foot mega-loft, which just hit the market asking $1.2M. Even though the space has been expanded and remodeled, it remains true to it's loft origins and includes one "bedroom" that's still dependent on your design creativity in order to exist. You do get the benefit to two full bathrooms, however, both featuring antique cabinets and stone sinks. The space itself is still perfectly brick and the high ceilings maintain the spacious feel no matter where you are. Triple-pane windows, which is a pretty good idea considering you're going to get a front-row view of the impending Pike Place Market extension to the waterfront. If you can deal with the construction now, this investment will pay off location-wise, let alone in terms of livability.
This $1.4M Escala Condo Has 50 Shades of PNW Artwork
If Christian Grey were into Pacific Northwest Native American artifacts and culture instead of, say, sex dungeons, this might be his Escala luxury condo instead. The southwest view from Unit 2304 is a stunner but whoever lives here (or staged it) has made sure they have plenty of interesting sights throughout the 1,607 square-foot condo as well. Totems, wood carvings, paintings, masks, statues...there's no skimping on the theme here. Of course, it's also an Escala condo so there's plenty of luxury amenities including a private elevator vestibule, private deck and everything that comes with living at Seattle's swankiest address. The seller is probably taking all that artwork with them but if you've got something leftover above the $1.39M price tag, see what they might take to keep the aesthetic in place. It'd be like living in a miniature Pacific Northwest art museum.
Seawall Project Delayed & Over Budget; New Amazon Lease
· Vision impossible, or why mayor's affordable housing plan is an uphill battle [PSBJ]
· Old-world charm in Laurelhurst [SPI]
· Get ready — Aurora Avenue's about to throw another curve [PSBJ]
· Regulation overkill? City wants to limit height of weeds [KOMO]
· Seattle seawall delayed, millions over budget [K5]
· Homebuilder Quadrant buys large swath of land in 'very hot' Redmond [PSBJ]
· Hookah lounges: not the problem Seattle faces [CC]
· Amazon plans to lease this new Seattle office building, source says[PSBJ]
· Old-world charm in Laurelhurst [SPI]
· Get ready — Aurora Avenue's about to throw another curve [PSBJ]
· Regulation overkill? City wants to limit height of weeds [KOMO]
· Seattle seawall delayed, millions over budget [K5]
· Homebuilder Quadrant buys large swath of land in 'very hot' Redmond [PSBJ]
· Hookah lounges: not the problem Seattle faces [CC]
· Amazon plans to lease this new Seattle office building, source says[PSBJ]
Kalakala Becoming Kirkland Art; What The Eastside Wants
· The queen of Capitol Hill is moving downtown [CHS]
· Closing Seattle Streets To Let Kids Play [KUOW]
· North access to Seattle tunnel mostly done, state DOT says [SPI]
· Ruling: $15 min. wage can be applied to Sea-Tac Airport workers [K5]
· Can Seattle legally force developers to fund affordable housing? [CC]
· Kirkland wants to turn pieces from Kalakala ferry into art [DJC]
· Bellevue office building sells for $39M [DJC]
· One last project before I-405 tolling can begin [MyN]
· What the Eastside Wants in ST3 [STB]
· Closing Seattle Streets To Let Kids Play [KUOW]
· North access to Seattle tunnel mostly done, state DOT says [SPI]
· Ruling: $15 min. wage can be applied to Sea-Tac Airport workers [K5]
· Can Seattle legally force developers to fund affordable housing? [CC]
· Kirkland wants to turn pieces from Kalakala ferry into art [DJC]
· Bellevue office building sells for $39M [DJC]
· One last project before I-405 tolling can begin [MyN]
· What the Eastside Wants in ST3 [STB]
Capitol Hill's EcoDistrict; Seattle Lanes Get 'Microsurfacing'
· King County fighting to maintain safe E Lake Sammamish Trail design[SBB]
· New Trolleys Hit the Streets Today [STB]
· Tacoma Considers Allowing More Density In Single-Family Neighborhoods [KPLU]
· Seattle area's jobless rate drops to 3.7 percent [ST]
· EcoDistrict growing into Hill's next big thing [CHS]
· City may push aside history, the poor in Pike Place & Pioneer Square[CC]
· 44 lane miles in Seattle will get 'microsurfacing' [DJC]
· Amazon could soon begin alcohol delivery, one-hour Prime Now service in Seattle [PSBJ]
· Construction starts on Gig Harbor's biggest project ever [PSBJ]
· New Trolleys Hit the Streets Today [STB]
· Tacoma Considers Allowing More Density In Single-Family Neighborhoods [KPLU]
· Seattle area's jobless rate drops to 3.7 percent [ST]
· EcoDistrict growing into Hill's next big thing [CHS]
· City may push aside history, the poor in Pike Place & Pioneer Square[CC]
· 44 lane miles in Seattle will get 'microsurfacing' [DJC]
· Amazon could soon begin alcohol delivery, one-hour Prime Now service in Seattle [PSBJ]
· Construction starts on Gig Harbor's biggest project ever [PSBJ]
Big Reveal: $3.2M For This 1521 Second Avenue Condo
Yesterday, we asked you to guess the asking price for this 2-BR, 1.75-bath luxury condo in Downtown Seattle's Fifteen Twenty-One Second Avenue building. Guesses ranged from $1.7M to $3.1M and it was the latter by farrahfan that earned the win. The actual asking price: $3.2M (plus $1,272 in HOA dues). Understandable as this 35th-floor unit probably puts in a nomination for best residential views in Seattle as it gets clear looks to the West, North and Northeast. Probably should have mentioned you get two parking spaces with this unit, which is a million-dollar offer in downtown by itself. So now that you know, does that asking price sound right to you?
POPULAR
What's the Value of a Good Seattle Apartment Building Name?
We tend to talk a lot about the big mixed-use development that's overtaking Seattle's downtown core a lot but there's another kind of development that's been just as popular around town: the good ol' fashion apartment building. Because there's so many going up, each one is trying everything and anything to catch your eye and attention. There's only so many rock walls and bike shops you can install so sometimes you have to rely one major factor to convince Seattleites that paying $1,600/month for your open 1-BR is their best option. The name of the building. It's something KUOW has been exploring for a few weeks and they sat down with Wexley School for Girls advertising agency founder Cal McAllister to run through a couple standouts to find out why they might have been chosen and if they actually do a good job telling the right story.
Seattle Will Vote on Elevated Waterfront Park in August 2016
Seattle has big plans for the new and improved waterfront. A promenade along the seawall. A walkable connection between the waterfront and Pike Place Market. Dozens of new mixed-use developments with water views where the Alaskan Way Viaductonce stood. One thing Seattle doesn't currently have in it's plans is an elevated waterfront park that uses a portion of the viaduct to connect a walkway all the way down to CenturyLink Field. The city council officially rejected the elevated park plan on Monday, which means that it will now go to the August 2, 2016 primary ballot as I-123. The Park My Viaduct group wanted the vote to appear on the upcoming November ballot since voter turnout is much higher but they're pushing ahead with a campaign regardless. Standing in their way, aside from the city council, will be developerswho have already invested millions in a viaduct-less Seattle and don't want the elevated walkway blocking views from their new residences.· Seattle council rejects viaduct park, clearing way for 2016 vote [PSBJ]
· Does the Elevated Park Stand a Chance Against Developers? [CS]
How Much for This Fifteen Twenty-One Second Condo?
PriceSpotter is Curbed's asking price guessing game. We provide you with some details and pictures from a real estate listing, and you take a crack at the price in the comments. Tomorrow we reveal the answer. And hey, no cheating!
What Is It?: 2-BR, 1.75-bath luxury condo in Downtown Seattle
Home Square Footage: 1,890
Taxes: $18,307
The Skinny: Welcome to the 35th floor of Fifteen Twenty-One Second, one of Seattle's most sought-after luxury condo residences. Possibly THE most sough-after. This unit probably puts in a nomination for best residential views in Seattle as it gets clear looks to the West, North and Northeast. It's so fancy it has a clock over the television over the fireplace. Tons of amenities and lots of windows in just about every room to appreciate your place in town. So, how much do you think they're asking for it?
Home Square Footage: 1,890
Taxes: $18,307
The Skinny: Welcome to the 35th floor of Fifteen Twenty-One Second, one of Seattle's most sought-after luxury condo residences. Possibly THE most sough-after. This unit probably puts in a nomination for best residential views in Seattle as it gets clear looks to the West, North and Northeast. It's so fancy it has a clock over the television over the fireplace. Tons of amenities and lots of windows in just about every room to appreciate your place in town. So, how much do you think they're asking for it?
Seattle's Private Affordable Housing; Pot Shop Prices Drop
· This private affordable housing project is a Seattle first [PSBJ]
· Extra $20 million OK'd to finish East Link light-rail design [ST]
· Seattle needs to 'swing for the fences' to end homelessness [MyN]
· Seattle Pot Stores Owners Hang On As Weed Prices Fall [KUOW]
· Skyline gap closing between downtown, South Lake Union [K5]
· Legacy Homes of Washington founder lists Hunts Point home for $4.8M [PSBJ]
· See country house in the city: traditional touches with room for family living [ST]
· Extra $20 million OK'd to finish East Link light-rail design [ST]
· Seattle needs to 'swing for the fences' to end homelessness [MyN]
· Seattle Pot Stores Owners Hang On As Weed Prices Fall [KUOW]
· Skyline gap closing between downtown, South Lake Union [K5]
· Legacy Homes of Washington founder lists Hunts Point home for $4.8M [PSBJ]
· See country house in the city: traditional touches with room for family living [ST]
Downtown Seattle Condo Prices & Inventory Down in July
The Mark Company's latest Condominium Pricing Index is out and resale pricing experienced a slight one percent increase since last month in Downtown Seattle. New construction condo numbers actually took a hit as well, month over month. New Condo prices were down two percent to $757/square-foot from June. With only 26 units sold downtown in July, that number dropped 70 percent on the month (but is still up 63 percent from a year ago). While new construction inventory is still way up from last year (376 available units), that number is down six percent from June as well. Insignia is single-handedly keeping the numbers where they are with 228 available units. Luma also has 145 units while the Four Seasons Residences has just three available units. Right now, there's only 1.4 months of downtown Seattle condo inventory available, which is considered extremely low supply. Same old, same old.
· The Mark Company Trend Sheet [TMC]
· The Mark Company Trend Sheet [TMC]
Cornerspotted: The Renovated Collins Building Is New Again
Yesterday, we asked you to guess what this 19th century Seattle building is is and where it's located. Guess we gave you an easy one because we got a whole lot of folks who guessed correctly it's the Collins Building at 520 Second Avenue. We'll give it to bsl521 for getting it first.
Image: Wikimedia
Some say it was built in 1889, others say 1894. Either way, it's old. Among the Collins Building's initial tenants was the Seattle Public Library. Today, the ground-floor retail space is occupied by the Collins Pub while it's all office space upstairs. Other past tenants include Wilson's Modern Business College and Thomas Investment Co., though the sign in the photo above isn't real, it was added to the image after the fact.
· All Cornerspotter coverage [CS]
· All Cornerspotter coverage [CS]
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