Friday Odds

Land Use Updates The Liberty Jewelry parcel by 2nd Avenue & Pike Street appears to be a commercial development per the latest land use bulletin. Initially, it was proposed as a mixed-use development. An early design review meeting has been set for the 9th & Pine project (former site of Pande Cameron). The proposal calls for 300 residential units. The meeting is scheduled for 7:00 PM on Tuesday, May 22nd at City Hall. Bellevue Towers Update The Bellevue Towers Design Studio is now officially open. The design studio features three full vignettes - two kitchens, contemporary and traditional, and a master bath — as well as design boards and an array of finish samples. The studio is located on the 9th floor of the Key Bank building just south of the development at the corner of 106th Ave NE & NE 4th St. It’s open Tuesday - Friday from 11 AM to 6 PM and Saturday - Sunday from Noon to 5 PM.

On the Horizon Eastlake area - Ruby Condominiums (website) at northern tip of Eastlake Ave E at E. Allison. Lower Queen Anne - Luxe Condominiums (website) at 500 5th Ave W. Thirty-nine flats starting from the low $300,000s.   Escala Unveils Revamped Website Escala unveiled a new website with additional features including home floor plans, an impressive virtual tour and a webcam.   Fini Preview Event Update Fini’s VIP Preview Event will be held next weekend, May 5th & 6th from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM at their presentation center at 6802 Greenwood Ave N. (map). Homes will be available for purchase at the preview event with a 5% deposit.   Seattle Condo Expo 2007 The Seattle Condo Expo and Realtor Symposium is set for May 19th & 20th at the Westin Hotel. Tickets will go on sale on May 1st and those interested in attending can register on their website. Kiro Radio has several short podcasts of interviews with several leading individuals in the Seattle condo cr

Upcoming Condo Events Lumen - Queen Anne April 24th - Lumen’s Design Studio will move to 501 Roy Street, Unit C232 (2nd level, NE corner of the courtyard). Lumen requests visitors utilize the elevator at the 5th & Mercer entrance. The Design Studio is open 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily. April 28th - The Lumen model homes will be open to the public. These exclusive homes will be stylishly outfitted by Roche Bobois, Kasala, Garret Cord Werner, The Container Store and Lighting Universe. Fini - Phinney Ridge Fini’s VIP Preview Event is slated for May 5th & 6th, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM at 6802 Greenwood Ave N (map).

Urban Real Estate + 2 There are many indicators to gauge the state of the housing market - new construction, the economy, job growth, appreciation and so forth. Well, add another barometer. Sources indicate two new real estate offices will open in Belltown soon - a 2nd Windermere office and a Re/Max office. John L. Scott was founded in downtown Seattle 76 years ago and we’re well versed with the urban real estate landscape (a shameless plug). Zillow Me This Seattle-based Zillow recently launched a new feature allowing homeowners, agents and the public to ask and answer questions about individual properties.

Equinox: The Equinox sales team report that they’re off to a quick start. Eighty-five percent of those with appointments during the first weekend purchased a home. Four Seasons: The uber-exclusive Four Seasons reached a construction milestone this week as the new landmark building rose above street level. At this pace, each floor will be completed every two weeks. Pioneer Properties: Preservation-focused Pioneer Properties report they are gearing up for the release of their next three projects later this Spring. They include The Pittsburgh (lower QA), The Nord (Pioneer Square) and The Betsy Ross (Capitol Hill). Carbon 56: Carbon 56 recently adjusted their prices. Some units increased in price, some decreased. I’ve updated the most current price list on the Carbon 56 posting. CityView at Leschi: CityView indicates they are more than 25% sold. A great start for this conversion project. —————————— Site Maintenance: I

Landes Condo Tango: I noticed the Landes disappeared from the Williams-Marketing website but knew the project was moving forward.  So, I contacted the developer to get the scoop.  Presently, the developer is undecided whether to market the project as apartments or condos, though they are constructing units with condo-grade finishes.  A decision is expected to be made by Summer.  Interesting…. The Bellevue Tour: Loyal readers will have noticed that we skipped across Lake Washington.  Bellevue has several interesting and unique projects on the way, many far more ambitious than their Seattle counterparts.  In the upcoming weeks we will continue our tour of Bellevue with European Tower, The Residences at Bravern and Belle Arts. Recycle for Shelter Pets: Though the Seattle Animal Shelter is a city-run facility, the funds for necessary veterinarian care for homeless and uncared for pets brought to the shelter are provided through Help The Animal Fund (HTAF).  Supported by donat

Is Civic Center Ready for Residents? Seattle Times columnist Nicole Brodeur wonders if the lot across from City Hall will attract condo-owners.  Would buyers of $500,000 to $1 million condos co-exisit with the raw, urban surrounding? I scanned our surroundings. Loitering. A bail bonds place. People lined up for free bag lunches. A man sat in a doorway, folding and unfolding a blanket, talking to himself. And then there’s the Frye Hotel, where Seattle police have been called 85 times in the past six months. Noise complaints, thefts, several DOAs. Maybe not today, but eventually, redevelopment will redefine the Civic Center neighborhood.  Kitty-corner from this project is Smith Tower and just a few blocks away are the 5th & Madison and 5th & Marion projects.  Then there’s The Donald.  It’s just part of urban living.   Cats and the City Tomorrow (March 10th) is the Seattle Animal Shelter’s Fabulous Felines cat adoption event at the Alki Community

Is Civic Center Ready for Residents? Seattle Times columnist Nicole Brodeur wonders if the lot across from City Hall will attract condo-owners.  Would buyers of $500,000 to $1 million condos co-exisit with the raw, urban surrounding? I scanned our surroundings. Loitering. A bail bonds place. People lined up for free bag lunches. A man sat in a doorway, folding and unfolding a blanket, talking to himself. And then there’s the Frye Hotel, where Seattle police have been called 85 times in the past six months. Noise complaints, thefts, several DOAs. Maybe not today, but eventually, redevelopment will redefine the Civic Center neighborhood.  Kitty-corner from this project is Smith Tower and just a few blocks away are the 5th & Madison and 5th & Marion projects.  Then there’s The Donald.  It’s just part of urban living.   Cats and the City Tomorrow (March 10th) is the Seattle Animal Shelter’s Fabulous Felines cat adoption event at the Alki Community

CityView Condos Price Adjustment CityView recently reduced prices on available units, upwards of $25,000 on 1 bedroom units, bringing price per square feet between $350 to $410.  This was anticipated and when taking into consideration current market conditions as well as the nicer finishes, unit size, age of building and views, this makes CityView a better value.   Condo Community Blogs Cosmopolitan  -  Cosmo Seattle The 2200 - Fast Times at 2200 Any others?  Let me know.