That's because Microsoft has many homo gay workers. Seattle is #2 in the nation at 15% of the population being either gay or bisexual. Microsoft's worker population is probably slightly above 20% of homo gay men and women. It makes perfect sense for them to occupy some space on Capital Hill. They also have a shuttle that drives employees to work on the eastside as well.
My earlier speculation was that Microsoft would lease around 100,000sq ft of class A office space in small pieces around downtown Seattle. I don't just pull these numbers out of my ass, I'm psychic!
Quote:
Originally Posted by mSeattle
I've seen a "Connector" shuttle driving on Capitol Hill for the past couple of months already. Why on the Hill? I don't know.
Last edited by Hans Gruber; May 17, 2008 at 11:25 PM.
Citing current market conditions, the developer of a planned 16-story Bellevue condo project has put its construction on hold.
GIS International Group was planning to build the European Tower project at 930 109th Ave. N.E. Initial plans for the project called for an opening later this year. Now, those plans are on hold, although the developer stressed the project will get built.
"We'll watch this market cycle very carefully and make a decision on when to break ground based on how quickly the market shows signs of improvement, currently planning for the fall of 2008," said developer Eugene Gershman, in a statement.
He added that about one-third of the 16 condos (one unit per floor) have been "reserved for purchase," and proper permitting was obtained from the city of Bellevue earlier this month.
I don't want to say that European Tower was a pie in the sky project, but if you see the property (due south of Bellevue Library) it's tiny. It can't be more than 4500sq ft. They were going to use a car stacker like they do in Tokyo and other dense cities in Asia. I personally do not think that it ever will be built.
If you were to name some large scale developments putting plans on hold, that would be useful information. Right now, downtown Bellevue has a large inventory of new apartments and high rise condos under construction or near completion.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay_Z
(From the Puget Sound Business Journal)
Citing current market conditions, the developer of a planned 16-story Bellevue condo project has put its construction on hold.
GIS International Group was planning to build the European Tower project at 930 109th Ave. N.E. Initial plans for the project called for an opening later this year. Now, those plans are on hold, although the developer stressed the project will get built.
"We'll watch this market cycle very carefully and make a decision on when to break ground based on how quickly the market shows signs of improvement, currently planning for the fall of 2008," said developer Eugene Gershman, in a statement.
He added that about one-third of the 16 condos (one unit per floor) have been "reserved for purchase," and proper permitting was obtained from the city of Bellevue earlier this month.
No flight tours here. I have connections to those in the aviation business. There will be better pictures to come. I have requested pics only on sunny days for quality purposes. Here's one more pic. The quality will improve in the future, I did not take these shots from the air. These shots from above required heavy photoshopping. This is the last one. I promise the pics will improve. I've had a talk with my photographer. Let's just call him Captain Karl. He's a highly capable photographer when using a Fuji FinePix S700.
Last edited by Hans Gruber; May 27, 2008 at 4:45 AM.
I wasn't on a plane. I know a pilot who flies Cessna's. I should have better pics coming soon. I asked him to take pictures of Bellevue and downtown Seattle for me.
The European Towers site is still up and they have a virtual tour that shows the stacking parking structure, which is kind of cool. Not stating whether or not the project vanished or not, I quit keeping up with Bellevue projects after leaving Sclater Partners Architects who do most of Kempers work Just thought the VR tied into some of the conversation here:
Those are great. I wish I had enough money to pay for a helicopter tour around the Seattle area. Bellevue towers are looking great. I went to Bellevue for the first time in like 20 years and I got some pics of the towers and some other buildings under construction.
I know the guy who owns a domain focusing on the eastside. It's not up yet but he gives me the pics. I take it you've seen the helicopters flying overhead in Bellevue and Redmond?
I just heard from a Washington Square resident. I was told that 50% of the west building was sold and 30% of the south building was sold. Each building has ground floor townhomes and only one of those multilevel brick townhomes has sold between the two buildings.
I was also informed that the Wasatch Group had either filed or would be filing for bankruptcy. This means the other buildings won't be built and the land will be sold to other developers.
Something will be formally announced in the coming weeks regarding the Washington Square development.
Last edited by Hans Gruber; Jun 7, 2008 at 11:37 PM.
I take it you've seen the helicopters flying overhead in Bellevue and Redmond?
No but now that you mention it I'll try to look for them whenever I'm on the shore of Lake Washington.
Anyways, sucks about those condo towers. I noticed that ZipRealty has houses listed at 250,000 when they originally were 325. I'm not sure why they built the town homes though. Seems like it would be better to fill that space with retail, specially in Bellevue.
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...the greatness of victor is equally proportionate to the skill and obduracy of foe...
-Kostof-
Bellevue can't support retail on every street. Actually no city can. Also, the Washington Square plan called for retail in the other buildings including the interior of the block, and they probably didn't want to dilute that.
Talked to the Safeway Clerk last night and learned that the old Safeway store will close at 11:00PM the 26th, and reopen in the new Avalon location at 8:00AM the following morning.
Last edited by rverginia; Jun 26, 2008 at 2:06 AM.
Reason: Corrected Closing time
Talked to the Safeway Clerk last night and learned that the old Safeway store will close at midnight the 26th, and reopen in the new Avalon location at 8:00AM the following morning.
Noticed that they are still setting up the new store but have a good amount of inventory on the shelves.
Moving from a mini-mart to a nice looking supermarket! It seems there are a number of empty spaces around there on the north end - some are stores that are still getting finished up like the vitamin shoppe and nail place (maybe a subway), but some appear un-leased. Seems like there were more 'Leased' signs a few months ago, but maybe I just didn't notice the empties.
As soon as Avalon's apartments are completed and the Safeway opens, all the retail spaces will be filled. They are still working on the apartments above (north end) Safeway.
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Just thought the VR tied into some of the conversation here:
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