SEATTLE | Downtown Projects: Completed, U/C, Proposed/Approved

[Aleks]

Originally Posted by alki

Oct 2, 2013, 7:22pm PDT

Major redevelopment planned for Rainier Square in downtown Seattle (slide show)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/n....html?page=all

I always wondered why they didn't fix up that place, it seems like a good opportunity to refine that part part of downtown. I'm glad NBBJ is adding to Seattle architecture, hopefully they can come up with something at least interesting.

There's a bit of ambiguity in that complex and personally I think Rainier Tower has a bit of class. Its base would allow for a kick ass Apple store and all the blinding lights wouldn't ruin The 5th, the tower entrances and LV will remain!

[alki]

Originally Posted by Aleks

I always wondered why they didn't fix up that place, it seems like a good opportunity to refine that part part of downtown. I'm glad NBBJ is adding to Seattle architecture, hopefully they can come up with something at least interesting.

I've always wondered why the site was underdeveloped and why they were allowing it to get very dated.

I also didn't realize that NBBJ is as big and as active in the world as it is.

There's a bit of ambiguity in that complex and personally I think Rainier Tower has a bit of class. Its base would allow for a kick ass Apple store and all the blinding lights wouldn't ruin The 5th, the tower entrances and LV will remain!

Yeah, there are a lot of opportunities to make that site more dynamic and have it plug in more with what's happening on Pike and points north. They can pull from the Westlake area as well as the office crowd up towards City Hall.

[cactus22minus1]

Amazon's bio-domes have passed the design review board:

http://www.theverge.com/2013/10/24/5...board-approval

Lots of renderings of the updated design that I hadn't seen before in the above article as well as the official PDF: http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/G...endaID4582.pdf

[alki]

Originally Posted by cactus22minus1

Amazon's bio-domes have passed the design review board:

http://www.theverge.com/2013/10/24/5...board-approval

Lots of renderings of the updated design that I hadn't seen before in the above article as well as the official PDF: http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/G...endaID4582.pdf

Thanks for posting these updates......I am really glad Amazon is locating its headquarters DT.........but not at all impressed with its design. The geodesic domes look like they belong in Seattle Center or the Arboretum, not on a busy DT street. The office tower looks like an uninspired, rectangular wafer set on its short side. One whole side.........facing Blauchard I believe.......has two garage cutouts and no retail. The entrance to the bldg is from the courtyard like some insular, 1970s complex. The facade treatment of the office tower is slightly interested. The domes are supposed to have some retail but its hard to see how are deliveries will be made.

I was hoping that the planning board would help soften the worst aspects of the complex but that doesn't seem to be happening. Apparently Bezos has great vision when growing his business but zero, zilch, nada in developing/designing a headquarters complex. And yes, I know, any city would kill to have Amazon move its headquarters to its DT area but I am very disappointed.

Please, someone..........walk me back from the ledge.

[cactus22minus1]

I'm with you in towers' design themselves: very uninspired, too wide on certain angles. Design has never been a thing Amazon really focuses on, and it continues to show in their own home.

However... I'm a huge fan of the domes. From the street-level, this will add a very exciting alternative to a boring plaza that every other office building has. I think it carries on the idea of daring low-rise architecture that stopped with the central library before the recession hit. It will inspire others to consider that Seattle can do better than more-of-what's-to-be-expected.

I would rather have an interesting street level feature like this than the reverse: a more daring tower, but conservative streetscape/plaza that adds nothing to the area.

[alki]

Originally Posted by cactus22minus1

I'm with you in towers' design themselves: very uninspired, too wide on certain angles. Design has never been a thing Amazon really focuses on, and it continues to show in their own home.

However... I'm a huge fan of the domes. From the street-level, this will add a very exciting alternative to a boring plaza that every other office building has. I think it carries on the idea of daring low-rise architecture that stopped with the central library before the recession hit. It will inspire others to consider that Seattle can do better than more-of-what's-to-be-expected.

I would rather have an interesting street level feature like this than the reverse: a more daring tower, but conservative streetscape/plaza that adds nothing to the area.

I guess I would have preferred no plaza at all. Most new projects in Seattle no longer have plazas. They build right out to the street. I will reserve judgment on the domes but I think they will prove to be a disappointment too.

I guess I can see what this could have been.............a much bigger contribution to the DT skyline and its urban fabric.

[cactus22minus1]

I think we can blame the general thick/wide massing on the zoning not being quite high enough in the area. Same thing with the Greyhound lot hotel proposal. I feel the city should have allowed Amazon, for a fee, build higher which would have resulted in a more attractive thinner design even if bland on the details.

I have the same beef with some of these ~7 story neighborhood developments popping up everywhere. The zoning is too short so to get the desired return, devs eat up an entire block(removing all character in a large area) in order to squeeze enough units in. And clearly, we aren't keeping up with demand, yet anyway. I wish 10-14 was happening on Capitol Hill.. with restrictions/incentives to encourage taking smaller plots.

Sorry, I know I went on a tangent there.

[alki]

Originally Posted by cactus22minus1

I have the same beef with some of these ~7 story neighborhood developments popping up everywhere. The zoning is too short so to get the desired return, devs eat up an entire block(removing all character in a large area) in order to squeeze enough units in. And clearly, we aren't keeping up with demand, yet anyway. I wish 10-14 was happening on Capitol Hill.. with restrictions/incentives to encourage taking smaller plots.

I guess I am pretty comfortable with the 6-7 story height limit along Broadway and other commercial streets outside of DT. If you remember, just ten years ago most of Broadway was 1-2 stories so the move to 6-7 stories is a pretty significant bump up. And I like the urban wall developing along Broadway. Now I agree with you when it comes to DT and DT adjacent areas like S. Union.

Sorry, I know I went on a tangent there.

No worries. I am good at ranting too.

[alki]

Century-old building will become a 4-star hotel in Seattle's Belltown



Marc Stiles

Staff Writer- Puget Sound Business JournalEmail | Twitter

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants officials announced Thursday that they'll open a four-star hotel next year in a century-old building at Second and Virginia in downtown Seattle.

read more..............

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/n...-belltown.html

[alki]

Does anyone know if there is an ongoing feud between Hedreen and the City? Their development across from the CC has been delayed again.......the City wants a study done. Is this because the hotel workers won't be union? In the meantime, Hedreen is talking about downsizing the project. Not cool IMO.

[alki]

Developers plan to start building First Hill condo tower next year

Lowe Enterprises Investors of Los Angeles and Swedish pension fund Alecta plan to start building this Seattle condo project next year. The site is at 1321 Seneca St. on First Hill.


Marc Stiles

Staff Writer- Puget Sound Business JournalEmail | Twitter



http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/n...-building.html

[alki]

Another shot of the revived residential bldg that I posted last week.

Great looking bldg:

[Vashon118]

815 Pine


815 Pine 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr


815 Pine 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr

225 Cedar


225 Cedar 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr


225 Cedar 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr


225 Cedar 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr


225 Cedar 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr

802 Seneca


802 Seneca 2013-10-19 by planet_lb, on Flickr


802 Seneca 2013-10-19 by planet_lb, on Flickr


802 Seneca 2013-10-19 by planet_lb, on Flickr


802 Seneca 2013-10-19 by planet_lb, on Flickr


802 Seneca 2013-10-19 by planet_lb, on Flickr


802 Seneca 2013-10-19 by planet_lb, on Flickr


802 Seneca 2013-10-19 by planet_lb, on Flickr

2021 7th Ave


2021 7th Ave 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr


2021 7th Ave 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr


2021 7th Ave 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr


2021 7th Ave 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr

2030 8th


2030 8th 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr

2720 4th Ave


2720 4th Ave 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr


2720 4th Ave 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr


2720 4th Ave 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr


2720 4th Ave 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr


2720 4th Ave 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr


2720 4th Ave 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr

Insignia


Insignia 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Insignia 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Insignia 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Insignia 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Insignia 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Insignia 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Insignia 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Insignia 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Insignia 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Insignia 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr

The Martin


Martin, The 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Martin, The 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Martin, The 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Martin, The 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Martin, The 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Martin, The 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Martin, The 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Martin, The 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Martin, The 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Martin, The 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Martin, The 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Martin, The 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Martin, The 2013-10-12 by planet_lb, on Flickr

Stadium Place


Stadium Place 2013-10-19 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Stadium Place 2013-10-19 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Stadium Place 2013-10-19 by planet_lb, on Flickr


Stadium Place 2013-10-19 by planet_lb, on Flickr

Viktoria Apts


Viktoria Apts 2013-10-28 by planet_lb, on Flickr

[alki]

Is 2021 7th Ave Amazon? Its footprint looks huge. Some great bldgs going up DT........esp like the finishes on the Pine and Cedar bldgs.

Can't wait til the Icon tower starts to go up.

Great photos Vashon. Thanks.

[mhays]

Yes that's Amazon. Each of the three blocks has a tower and a lowrise building. The below-grade garages are 1/1000sf, which would typically be about one space for every four or five workers. Most Seattle towers are built to the same ratio.

[alki]

Originally Posted by mhays

Yes that's Amazon. Each of the three blocks has a tower and a lowrise building. The below-grade garages are 1/1000sf, which would typically be about one space for every four or five workers. Most Seattle towers are built to the same ratio.

Yeah, it must me the angle of the photo...........the excavation looks bigger than normal to me.

[mSeattle]

Originally Posted by Vashon118

815 Pine
Viktoria Apts


Viktoria Apts 2013-10-28 by planet_lb, on Flickr

Thanks Vashon for your dedicated coverage of these bigger projects.
"Moving Sale" is painted on the windows of the little building on the right. Could the stalled development for that site be gearing up?

[mhays]

The 39-story towers on the NW and SW corners of 2nd & Virginia both have old land use permits to 2015 (January for this one). But neither has filed for a building permit, which takes at least five months typically.

[alki]

Bank of America downsizing in Seattle office tower


Bank of America will shed additional space in the Fifth Avenue Plaza in downtown Seattle, a bank official said Tuesday. The decision could stymie real estate development in the neighborhood, where two big office towers are planned.


Marc StilesStaff Writer- Puget Sound Business JournalEmail | Twitter

Bank of America is vacating part of its namesake Fifth Avenue Plaza in downtown Seattle, a bank spokeswoman said Tuesday.

The move is a blow to this part of the downtown Seattle office market and could delay construction of two big office towers next to Bank of America Fifth Avenue Plaza.

“We did recently renegotiate our lease [at Fifth Avenue Plaza] for less space,” said Jennifer Darwin, the spokeswoman who works for the bank at its Charlotte, N.C., headquarters. She said the decision is in line with B of A’s overall strategy to use office space more efficiently.

Fifth Avenue Plaza has 934,000 square feet of office. The bank had leased about 84 percent of that space but over the years has sublet some of it to other companies. Today the bank is in around 510,000 square feet.

Darwin couldn’t say how much space the bank is giving back because renegotiation of the lease has not been finalized, though a person with knowledge of the decision put the number at around 310,000 square feet.

The office market around Fifth Avenue Plaza has been improving, providing encouragement to some developers to look at building new towers. But now comes Bank of America’s decision, which increases the risk of starting construction.

The vacancy rate for Class A space in Seattle’s central business district has fallen from 15.6 percent at the start of 2012 to 12.4 percent now, according to commercial real estate company Jones Lang LaSalle.

Even so, large swaths of space are still available for lease in the neighborhood. Kitty-corner from Fifth Avenue Plaza, for instance, is the 1.5-million-square-foot Columbia Center where, according to officespace.com, a fifth of the space is empty.

“There certainly is a lot of space between Columbia Center and the Bank of America building that has to be filled before someone pays a 30 to 40 percent premium to be in a new building,” said office broker Parker Ferguson, co-founder of Flinn Ferguson.

Daniels Real Estate of Seattle is planning to break ground before the end of the year on the 43-story Fifth + Columbia tower just west of Fifth Avenue Plaza.

On Tuesday, Kevin Daniels said B of A’s decision to shed more space does not give him pause about starting construction on Fifth + Columbia. He said you can’t compare “Class A+ new construction” to a 32-year-old “Class A-” building like Fifth Avenue Plaza.

Daniels said he’ll decide whether to start construction soon, once he finalizes permits with the city.

Schnitzer West, also of Seattle, has a 37-story project called Madison Centre teed up just north of Fifth Avenue Plaza. Schnitzer officials have said they will not start construction until they prelease some space.

Daniels says he is not surprised that B of A is giving up office space in Seattle. He said banks are shedding jobs due to automation and the economy across the country.

read more................

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/n....html?page=all

[alki]

Not Seattle specific but I like the way it disinguishes between cities and suburbs.

Suburbs Are Generic, Cities Are Particular

http://thisfieldisrequired.com/2013/...re-particular/