Comments on: New Downtown Apartments

By: Mike in Pioneer Square

Mike in Pioneer Square — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 01:32:03 +0000

Why can’t the “…service/support workers (doormen, security, maintenance, servers, etc) needed for this new infrastructure…” live in buildings like the income-restricted Lowman Building (completely renovated in 2005) or the brand-new Quintessa, among many others?

The people on the “no low-income housing options available” band wagon need to take a look around before they spout off.

I actually live in the Lowman Building right now, and there isn’t a line of “doormen, security, maintenance, servers” waiting to get in.

By: Christina

Christina — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 01:06:13 +0000

There is one new apartment building not mentioned that I would like to add- Westlake Village. Although the property is not downtown, it is close enought to walk to Belltown in under ten minutes. The view at this property is incredibile! Westlake Village is right next to Lake Union with a beautiful backdrop of Capitol Hill and downtown Seattle.

Check it out-
http://www.westlakevillageseattle.com

By: Carl Shepherd

Carl Shepherd — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 06:52:23 +0000

1915 2nd avenue is no longer is profiled on the Weber+Thompson website. Likely toast. That pit at 2nd and pike may welcome the fall of more than one tower as the recession swings it’s doleful scythe.

By: klt

klt — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 18:54:09 +0000

Wrong Jeff. Zoning for highrises requires affordable -or lumpsum payment to city in lieu of. Youre right about SF type scenario though. I’m more worried about middle class -college educated singles who want to live downtown can’t afford it and they’re the demographic the city wants.

By: Ben_Kakimoto

Ben_Kakimoto — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 18:32:43 +0000

Jeff - you’re spot on. I didn’t include the Borealis (Denny and Dexter) which is being constructed as an affordable rental property by Vulcan. But, that’s pretty much it.

By: Jeff W.

Jeff W. — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:09:47 +0000

I’m guessing that approximately zero of these new units will be affordable for middle to low income renters. There’s only so many $60k jobs at Google or Amazon to go around! Where are all of the service/support workers (doormen, security, maintenance, servers, etc) needed for this new infrastructure supposed to live?

City planners appear to be hell-bent on turning this town into another San Francisco.

By: Josh

Josh — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 07:12:31 +0000

Thanks for that summary, I sometimes forget how many rental properties are going up around town. It’s outnumbering condos now! fyi, the architect for Olivian is Carrier Johnson, not CollinsWoerman.

By: Ben_Kakimoto

Ben_Kakimoto — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 03:52:58 +0000

Matt - I’ve heard conflicting info. Back in September I mentioned the 2nd & Virginia towers were condos then I heard otherwise…but I can’t find that source. A couple of weeks ago the Seattle Times did refer to the projects as condos so will go with that for now. I’ve since removed the projects from this post. Thanks for the heads up.

As far as the 1915 2nd project…I’ve asked for status updates from Intracorp but they remain mum on the subject. Given the Expo 62 and Domaine issues I’m guessing this project isn’t a high priority. Though, the 1915 2nd project would appeal to a different buyer demographic so who knows.

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 02:06:37 +0000

2 projects on here that I thought were headed for Condos: the 2nd and Virginia towers, and the OSP adjacent one. When did those switch over? Also, another project I didn’t see on here was the 1915 2nd ave project. You can see it in the far right of the 2nd and virginia picture, its. I always thought that one was cool because it had the huge pine tree peaking through the hole in its roof. Is that project still going forward?