One of the newest conversion projects on Capitol Hill is Onyx. Formerly known as The Oliver apartments at the corner of 12th Avenue and Olive, Onyx has been receiving rave reviews from buyers and agents.
The Onyx is a project by Mastro Properties which has two other conversion projects on the market – Epic Condominium (First Hill) and Asia Condominium (International District).
Black granite with white onyx marble imported from Turkey and beautiful interior finishes illuminate the elegant details that have gone into this conversion. Units feature halogen lighting in the kitchen & hallways, slab granite bar tops, stainless steel appliances and Euro-style fixtures. There are 62 studio, one- and two-bedroom units.
Building amenities include a roof-top deck with great city views, a poker room, fitness center, parking and several business including a coffee house and wine shop. Additionally, Onyx is across the street from the newly opened Cal Anderson Park. Prices range from under $200,000 to over $500,000.
July 13th, 2006 at 10:32 am
Here’s a condo project slated to begin in the BMW building up on Cap Hill. It looks questionable, in the sense that noise issues may make it inconvenient at best (as reported by the Stranger).
http://www.thestranger.com/blog/2006/07/bmw_building_on_pike.php
July 13th, 2006 at 10:58 am
Thanks for the link, it’s an interesting post. This project will certainly have an impact on the block’s current businesses and the low-brow feel to the corridor. And, it is a large project that will undoubtedly change the feel and possible culture to the area.
I’m not too concerned about noise. Anyone looking to live in a high-density area, especially in the Pike/Pine corridor, should realize the cons. Look at Belltown and the Market district for example, the noise hasn’t kept people from living there. Plus, when lived on the Hill, I accepted the drunks outside my window every weekend, as the cost of living there.
Depending on the design and how well the developer accommodates business & residents concerns, I think it’s beneficial to Capitol Hill. Really, the property isn’t being used efficiently as a car dealership. And, by bringing more residents to the corridor, it may improve it’s sense of community and neighorhood feel.
July 14th, 2006 at 11:39 pm
Hi Ben. We missed you for camping over the 4th. I hope you had a good time wherever you were. (In Canada perhaps?)
Anyway, the Onyx Condos look interesting. Thanks for blogging about them. I walk by them all the time since I live a couple blocks from there. It would be interesting to see them from the inside.
July 15th, 2006 at 9:48 am
Rod – I’m hearing from many agents that they like the Onyx conversion. They do have some incentives going now – no HODs till 2008 & $1500 towards buyer closing costs. However, sources tell they may work with buyers on pricing.