The Danielle Condominium

The Danielle Condominium in Ballard reports they are scheduled for completion mid-summer and have pre-sold 15%. The development features 31 one-bedroom, one-bedroom + den and two-bedroom homes starting from $229,950. The Danielle expects to have FHA approval shortly which should spur sales.

The building is located at 5803 24th Ave NW, kitty-corner from the new Ballard QFC and Ballard Commons Park.

www.DanielleCondos.com

Gallery Condominium

The Gallery Condominium in Belltown is offering a limited time buyer bonus offer. For purchase contracts written between June 18, 2010 and August 31, 2010, Gallery is offer a 3% buyer bonus up to $10,000. Prices start at $239,000 and they are now 75% sold!

Gallery is located at 2911 2nd Avenue, blocks to the Olympic Sculpture Park and the Seattle Center.

www.LiveAtGallery.com

Copper Lantern Homes

Kenmore’s Copper Lantern Homes report they’ve just reduced prices. For example, a one-bedroom condo unit reduced from $161,920 to $136,000 while a two-bedroom townhome went from $199,500 to $180,000. Also available are one remaining three-bedroom townhome listed at $224,500 and one four-bedroom for $240,000.

Copper Lantern was developed by the Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) to provide first-time home buyers who meet income qualifications the opportunity for affordable homeownership. Copper Lantern is located at 7026 NE 182nd Street, Kenmore, WA.

www.CopperLanternHomes.com

Similar posts you may find interesting:

1. Copper Lantern Homes – Kenmore
2. Copper Lantern nears completion
3. Danielle Condo grand opening
4. The Danielle Condo – Ballard

The 63-unit Duncan Place soft opened a couple of weeks ago with little fanfare though they do plan a grand opening next month. So far, with just an on-building banner and a few MLS listings, they already have 5 units under contract without pre-selling.

One thing that struck me about the building is that it’s not what you’d typically expect in north Seattle. It’s clean modern design and interior space are reminiscent of condos in Belltown or Capitol Hill, particularly the corner units with floor-to-ceiling windows and open living spaces. Home features and finishes include:

• 8’6″ to 9′ ceiling heights
• Expansive windows providing abundant light
• 27 different floor plans – studios, one-bedrooms and two-bedrooms
• GE stainless steel appliances
• Honed granite countertops
• Hardwood and carpeted flooring
• A/C in 6th floor and two-bedroom homes
• Washer and dryer
• Parking (2 spaces for two-bedrooms) and storage
• Zip car availability

The building is set back from I-5 which helps to minimize traffic noise. At 4:30 pm on a weekday with the window open in a west facing unit the ambient sounds were essentially white noise. For the other three sides it was even less apparent. The developer plans to build another structure that’ll separate Duncan Place from the freeway creating a buffer.

The homes feel spacious due to their oversized windows, high ceiling heights and open floor plans. This is most notable in the corner units on the 1st and 6th floors which have 9′ ceilings. Though, a few of the studio layouts felt a wee bit cozy. Select homes have electric fireplaces and many have patios or balconies. Common amenities include a community room, courtyard and a roof top deck with spectacular city views.

Current price ranges as of 8/19/09 are:

• Studios & Open one-bedrooms – prices range from $185,000 to $230,000. Homes are between 365 to 495 square feet.
• One-bedrooms – prices range from $225,000 to $425,000. Homes are between 585 to 775 square feet.
• Two-bedrooms – prices from $499,000 to $599,000. Homes are between 810 to 1,219 square feet.

Downtown-style does come at a premium, however. While the price points are competitive, on a per square footage basis, Duncan Place is comparable to newer downtown area developments and are a bit higher than nearby Ruby and Ballard’s Canal Station. Homeowner dues also appear to match those with downtown highrises and are unevenly distributed with smaller units paying more per square foot. Based solely on the four units listed in the MLS (as of this writing), the dues for the 392 square foot studio run $.70/SF while the dues for the 1,219 square foot 2-bedroom is only $.42/SF. However, that hasn’t been a deterrence as they’ve sold nearly 10% since opening a few weeks ago.

The development is FHA approved which provides buyers with a 3.5% down payment option. The Duncan Place team anticipates most buyers will be first-time buyers and those associated with the university (faculty, staff and parents of students). Most buyers should qualify for the $8,000 first-time home buyers tax credit. Though, closing time frames could affect the eligibility of FHA buyers as a certain number of sales must be reached before FHA buyers can close on their purchases.

Duncan Place is also offering a rather unique “Move-In Today” lease-to-own program, which may be in response to accommodating FHA buyers mentioned above. Rental rates begin as low at $300 per month for studios (1-bd: $500/mo; 2-bd: $700/mo) with half the rent payment applied towards the buyers down payment. I haven’t seen the details about this program.

Overall, Duncan Place is a good addition to the U-District that offers modern living options not typically found in Northeast Seattle, save for Park Modern. Situated on 47th Avenue NE, it provides easy access to I-5, the University of Washington, the Wallinford district and Green Lake.

The sales office is open daily between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM, which is located at 4547 8th Ave NE.  Note: a buyer agent / representation registration policy applies.

View available Duncan Place condos for sale.

Click on thumbnails for larger images:

Similar posts you may find interesting:

1. Marselle Condo begin sales
2. Duncan Place Condos | U-District
3. The Volta Condominium – 2233 1st Ave
4. Sapphire Condos – Greenwood

Bellevue Towers sent out an email this week mentioning that coinciding with the completion of the development they are offering pricing specials for the next 50 buyers. Some of the pricing information they provided include:

200 West Highland:

200 West Highland also sent an email this week promoting price reductions ranging from 12% to 36%. Here are pricing information for their currently listed properties:

Thornton Place:

Finally, Thornton Place issued a press release highlighting a new buyer incentive and updates on the retail and cinema. The latest condo buyer incentive they’re offering is an FHA 2/1 interest rate buy-down and special summer pricing. However, they did not providing updated pricing information, though two listings were recently reduced $30,000 and $50,000.

Three additional restaurants signed-on to the development. These include Five Guys Burger and Fries, Subway and Tengu Japanese sushi, which join the two previously announced eateries – Jewel Box Cafe and Thai Fusion.

Finally, Regal Cinema is hosting a Free Family Film Festival through the week of August 6th. Beginning at 10:00 AM on Tuesdays and Wednesdays they are providing free family friendly movies for kids and parents. Movies include The Tale of Despereaux, Kung Fu Panda, Surf’s Up, Igor, Journey to the Center of the Earth, Bee Movie, Alvin and the Chimpmunks and Wallace and Gromit.

Similar posts you may find interesting:

1. Condo development updates
2. Bellevue Towers sales on the uptick
3. Bellevue Towers Limited Release Pricing
4. Bellevue Towers Price Protection

With their Spring Sales release of 27 condominium homes Thornton Place is offer several great incentives for buyers who purchase by May 25, 2009. One of the most unique, if not the first for a condominium, is a layoff guarantee. Homeowners who are laid off within their first year of ownership can receive up to six months of paid mortgage payments. The guarantee is worth up to $2,500 in monthly principle and interest, so buyers are responsible for taxes and insurance. Though, that’s a pretty sweet deal. The unit must also be a principle residence.

Additionally, Thornton Place is also offering the following incentives through May 25th:

• Three percent (3%) of purchase price towards closing costs, rate buy downs or to pay the mortgage on a buyer’s existing home while it is listed for sale
• No homeowner dues until July 2010
• $1,000 cash if financed through the developers preferred lender
• A price guarantee that’s valid through December 31, 2009

The development is FHA approved so eligible buyers will be able to purchase with FHA’s low 3.5% down payment requirement. And, given the price point of the homes, low-$300,000 to mid-$400,000, many buyers will be eligible for the $8,000 first-time homebuyers tax credit that’s available through November 30, 2009.

Thornton Place is developed by Lorig Associates and Stellar Holdings.

Similar posts you may find interesting:

1. Thornton Place – Northgate
2. Condo development updates
3. Condo updates
4. 200 West Highland Hard Hat Tour

Back then, there were contentious debates among local residents, conservationists and mall owners about developing the south lot and Thornton Creek which ran beneath it. In 2002 the Appeals Court overturned a lower court decision and ruled that the water running below the lot was not Thornton Creek, thus opening the door for development. But, more debate and lawsuits followed. It wasn’t until 2004 when numerous stakeholders reached an agreement that plans for development moved ahead.

Fast forward.
Today, Thornton Place, is rising like the phoenix out of the south lot asphalt ashes. When fully completed by the end of Summer 2009, Thornton Place will feature a 14 screen & IMAX theater, retail and restaurants, 266 apartments, 121 condos including 12 live/work lofts, a 143-unit senior living development by ERA Living and an uncovered Thornton Creek channel.

The Thornton Place urban village is one of only five projects in the state participating in the LEED ND (neighborhood development) pilot program which strives to create a compact, walkable and vibrant mixed-used neighborhood. Additionally, the developer, Lorig Associates, is expecting to achieve a LEED Silver certification for green building practices.

Key dates ahead:
   Apartment rentals begin – April 2009
   Cinema and retail open – May 2009
   ERA Living’s Aljoya opens – Summer 2009

Condo sales begin.
The first structures to finish will be the condos, which began sales this past weekend. Thornton Place offers a variety of floor plans to fit most everyone’s needs, including studios, one- and two-bedroom flats, two-bedroom townhomes and live/work lofts.

One thing that struck me as I toured the units was the sheer size of the homes compared to their downtown counterparts. Even the smallest homes are huge. The studios start from 600 square feet, some with 9′ 10″ ceiling heights, and include a large sleeping alcove, walk-in closets and a defined dining area. The other floor plans range up to 1,364 square feet in size.

Home features and amenities include:

• Two color palettes to choose from
• Various ceiling heights, up to 14′ in select top floor units
• Natural Maple or Kempas microstrip hardwood floors in living area, plus porcelain tiled flooring in kitchen and bath
• Striking polished slab granite countertops in kitchen and bath, with porcelain tiled surround
• Wenge or cherry veneer cabinets
• GE appliances including stacked washer and dryer
• Large, oversized windows
• Patio or deck space for most homes
• Heat and glo gas fireplace in most homes
• Gated entry after hours, plus parking and extra storage
• Community room and lounge area, 24-hour accessed fitness facility and a business/conference center, shared with the apartments

Currently, 62 condo units are available for purchase ranging from $299,000 to $589,000. On a per square foot value, the condos are among the priciest in North Seattle. So, what’s the benefit of spending a more for a piece of Thornton Place – location. An urban village in its own right, Thornton Place is part of the larger Northgate urban village that includes various transportation options including two park-and-rides, ample retail, restaurant & entertainment choices, and numerous business and community services. Plus, Thornton Place will be home to a diverse 600 residents.

While the condos are market rate, the apartments will include both market rate and workforce housing units. The workforce housing units will be available to residents earning 80% of King County’s median income.

The condo sales center is open daily from 11 am to 6 pm, enter parking garage from NE 100th Street. For more information about Thornton Place, visit:
- Thornton Place
- Thornton Place Apartments
- Aljoya (ERA Living)

images courtesy of Lorig / Thornton Place

Similar posts you may find interesting:

1. Thornton Place offers a layoff guarantee
2. Thornton Place offers price special
3. Duncan Place Condominium begin sales
4. Denny Way Developments

Forte, a 4-story conversion, features 48 one-bedroom and two-bedroom homes that range in size from 564 sq ft to 1,400 sq ft for the penthouse suites. All homes surround a large light-filled central courtyard. Currently, one-bedrooms start at $194,950 and two-bedrooms at $254,950.

Other features include:

• Slab granite countertops with undermount sinks
• Choice of Maple or Cherry cabinet finishes
• Wood burning fireplace
• Large bedroom spaces
• Stainless steel appliances
• Decks or patio area, most homes
• Washer & dryer
• Garage parking
• Pet friendly, though may have some restrictions

Overall, the finish quality is above average for this price point and includes standard stainless steel appliances and stainless kitchen sinks. There were some quirks such as the location of the in-unit fire alarms within the doorway trim…just looks odd.

The building is located at the corner of NE 125th Street & Roosevelt Way NE, which can get busy during rush hour commutes. However, the homes appeared to be well insulated and traffic was not discernible with the windows closed. Fortunately, only a few units face the intersection so most homes will not be affected by traffic noise.

The location also has advantages with easy access to I-5 and is on major bus routes. It’s also close to the Northgate area which is undergoing considerable redevelopment and recently welcomed Barnes & Nobles, Bed Bath & Beyond and Stanford’s.

Forte was previously the Roosevelt Court Apartments.

Similar posts you may find interesting:

1. Project Happenings
2. Zulo Condominium – North Seattle
3. The Decatur Condominiums
4. Novell Condominium – U-District condo

Noma – has an interesting promotion going on through Feb 29th. For buyers using the preferred lender, Noma will (1) match any price decrease (%-based) and pay float down on interest rate drops. The promotion excludes resales.

Serana – 5 units remain – 1 one-bedroom priced at $394,500 and 4 two-bedrooms priced from $419,500 and up. Offering 2/1 buy downs on mortgages.

Forte – new conversion project at NE 125th & Roosevelt Ave NE. One-bedrooms start at $194,950, two-bedrooms start at $254,950. Reviewing coming later this week.

845 Condos – A newer conversion cross the street from Forte. One-bedrooms start round $214,950 and two-bedrooms at $254,950.

CityView – is down to their final six units with two-bedrooms starting from under $300,000.

Escala – anticipates taking a price hike next month by about 5%.

Lumen – closing out the last 28 units, starting from $375,000.

Tobira – has seven units left including a studio priced at $184,950.

Tavona – has 10 studios and two-bedrooms left. The studios are priced from $249,950 while the two-bedroom start at $474,950. All two-bedroom units come with 2 parking spaces.

Similar posts you may find interesting:

1. Forte Condominiums – Pinehurst
2. Cap Hill condo auction update
3. Zulo Condominium – North Seattle
4. Queen Anne High School Update