The Seattle Condo Blog

Levin Menzies, the developer behind Icon Tower, is planning another project on First Hill at 8th and Seneca. The $112 million two-tower project will feature 294 condominium homes aimed towards Gen-Xers, empty nesters and Asian immigrants accustomed to high-rise living and will incorporate a Feng Shui design. First time I’ve seen that demographic mentioned in condominium marketing, though, Levin Menzies has marketed to the Asian market with their San Francisco area developments.

The project will include a mixture of one-bedroom, two-bedroom and smaller studios ranging from 360 to 450 square feet in order to offer homes at a more attractive price range, no doubt taking a cue from Moda’s success with smaller units. Prices are expected to begin in the upper $200,000s and range up to $1 million. It’s still too early to know their exact pricing strategy, but say they start at $275,000 for a 360 square foot studio…that’s $763/sq ft. Hefty. Moda’s price per square foot was about $500, in Belltown even (granted the Moda is a low-rise frame building).

The design includes a 24-story tower and an 11-story tower. Interestingly, elevators will only be available in the 24-story tower with skybridges joining the two buildings. From the rendering the skybridges will be on every other floor. Residents in the 11-story tower will need to retrieve their mail from the 24-story tower, apparently because the distance to the 11-story tower is more than mail carriers are allowed to travel from the street.

Amenities will include two roof-top gardens, a theatre, fitness center, artwork, courtyard and a bridge connecting the complex to Freeway Park.

Completion is anticipated for 2010, along with Icon Tower.

Update Jan 2008: Came across these renderings of the smaller tower and it looks like these might be loft units, which would explain why the walkways are on every other floor. Just a guess.

Image courtesy of MulvannyG2

Landes

I previously reported that the developer of Landes on First Hill, Harbor Properties, was feeling out the market to determine whether to develop the project as condos or apartments. Now, it appears Landes will, indeed, be apartments. This is the third formerly proposed condo project to opt for other uses.

Goodwill Property

The Supplemental Public Meeting for the Goodwill property development on Dearborn will be held at Goodwill on Tuesday, July 10th at 6:30 pm. The address is 1400 S. Dearborn Street.

3rd & Cedar

Just South of the Mosler Lofts, a 13-story apartment building has been proposed at the corner of 3rd and Cedar, which will likely affect Mosler’s downtown views. An early design review meeting has been set at Seattle City Hall on Tuesday, July 10th at 5:30 pm.

Built in 1928, the quaint Betsy Ross Condominium (website) radiates with character and charm of a time long passed. Pioneer Properties, developer of the Nord and Queen’s Court, is readying the building and upgrading the units for their upcoming sales later this Spring.

The three-story building, located at 1120 17th Ave (map) will be home to just 16 one-bedroom condominium homes ranging in size from approximately 588 to 698 700 square feet.

Home features preserved:

• Beautifully refinished oak hardwood floors
• Elegant crown molding
• Private, wrought iron balconies in many units
• Cozy, gas fireplaces in some units
• Built-in vintage kitchen cabinets with glass doors
• Solid wood doors
• 9 foot ceiling height

Home features for modern living:

• New stainless-steel appliances
• New washer and dryers in some units
• Granite countertops in kitchen and bathroom
• Storage lofts in some unit
• Remodeled kitchen and bathroom designed to maintain a vintage feel
• Safety features which include outdoor lighting and gated property entrance
• Pet-friendly

Homes are expected to be priced from $199,000 to the low-$300,000s. The website has been updated with a price list and homes are listed from $229,000 to $329,000.

One note about their website. On the Neighborhood page, it states the Betsy Ross is a short stroll to a number of restaurants, bars and Interlaken Park, but most of the establishments listed on their site are further north near Volunteer Park…about 1.5 miles north of the Betsy Ross. Not quite a short stroll.

For more information about this and other properties, please contact us.

Post updated 4/21/07

Escala

Escala broke ground this morning. I didn’t stick around for the ground breaking but I did tour the recently completed 2,600 sq ft penthouse model unit; it’s impressive.

8th and Pine

300+ unit condominium, completion expected for 2009.

Seneca Towers

A 7- and 24-story tower project with 210 residences ranging from 450 to 1,600 square feet. Ground breaking is slated for mid-2007, developed by Levin Menzies. Located at 8th and Seneca overlooking Freeway Park.

CarrAmerica

Located in the South Lake Union District, CarrAmerica is a 5-building mixed-use office, retail & residential development. No dates yet.

Images:

8th & Pine

Seneca Towers

Nine Cherry Square is a recent conversion on First Hill. The 6-story brick, steel & concrete building at 905 Cherry Street, Seattle (map) includes 41 studios, one- and two-bedroom rooms. Prices range from $177,000 to $449,000.

Sales staff indicates they sold nine-units in the first six hours that homes were released for pre-sale.

Standard features include:

• Exposed brick focal wall in each unit
• Bamboo flooring in kitchen and living room
• European designed Pentco cabinets
• Stainless steel or matte chalkboard finished countertops
• Shaw woven carpet in the bedrooms
• Stainless steel appliances (most units)
• Washer and dryer (most units)

The Nine Cherry Square website, though basic, provides considerable information with floor plans, feature specs and representative views for each unit.

Nine Cherry Square is centrally located on First Hill and is within walking distance to the financial district and Seattle University. The Frye Museum is just a block away and many businesses, restaurants and cafes are just a short stroll away.

Click here to see if any units are currently available.

Update: Couple of notes about sales: (1) showings are by appointment only (outside of the weekend opens) and they have not been very accommodating working with buyer’s schedules, (2) there is an unpublished registration policy which may not comply with NWMLS rules.

Mid-century elegance is the most apt description of the Decatur Condominiums on Seattle’s historic First Hill neighborhood.

Designed by the famed Space Needle architect John Graham Jr. in 1950, the Decatur is being restored and converted to condominium homes by the Wysong Group (e.g. Tobira, The Press).

The 13-story building at 1105 Spring Street (corner of Boren Ave) features 146 one- and two-bedroom homes. (map)

All homes include the following features:

• Brazilian cherry wood floors in the entry & kitchen
• Plush carpeting in the living and bedrooms
• Slab granite countertops (dark or light) in the kitchen
• Stainless steel electric appliances
• Pedestal sinks and custom subway tiling in the bath
• Octagonal rosette-patterned tile floor in the bath

There are four floor plans to choose from:

The Dean – one-bedroom units ranging from 520 to 560 sq ft
2-7th floor, $219,950 to $279,950
8-13th floor, $254,950 to $314,950

The Taylor – one-bedroom units ranging from 590-650 sq ft
2-7th floor, $229,950 to $289,950
8-13th floor, $264,950 to $324,950

The Monroe - one-bedroom units ranging from 680-700 sq ft
2-7th floor, $249,950 to $274,950
8-13th floor, $279,950 to $304,950

The Kelly – two-bedroom units ranging from 780-800 sq ft
2-7th floor, $334,950 to $359,950
8-13th floor, $364,950 to $389,950

Overall, the Decatur conversion exudes sophistication and elegance, from the rich entry lobby to the beautifully designed interiors. Its location is central to the financial district, Capitol Hill’s eccentricities and Madison Avenue’s business establishments.

Though, there are some peculiarities which may not appeal to all buyers.

• While the kitchen includes quality appliances and cabinets, it’s a narrow galley design. It would be nearly impossible for two average sized people to be in the kitchen at the same time. If you open the oven door, you must stand to the side as there’s not enough room to stand in front of the oven with its door open.
• None of the units come with a washer or dryer. Each floor will be equipped with two washer/dryers off the hallway (free usage) and there is a laundry room in garage.
• Closet/storage space in the units is minimal.
• There are only 63 parking spaces available on a first come basis with a $35,000 price tag.

The Decatur will not appeal to everyone. But, if you’re a true urbanite who live, work and play in the city, and you don’t have a car, this may be a very good option.

Landes is the newest community planned for First Hill at 8th and Marion. Landes is named after Seattle’s first & only woman mayor, Bertha Knight Landes, who was elected in 1926. Construction is expected to start around Spring 2007.

Update: The developer is contemplating developing the project as apartments rather than condos, though the building will be constructed to condo-grade. A decision will be forthcoming this summer.

Update 2: It now appears Landes will be developed as apartments.

The Decatur Apartments on Sprint Street & Boren Avenue on First Hill is slated for conversion in 2007. The Wysong group which recently purchased the Empress Apartments (future Tobira Condominiums) is also behind the Press & Kirkland’s Mira projects. Decatur’s 146 units that range from 540 to 830 square feet are expected to be marketed around the low $200,000’s to mid-$300,000s. Sales will begin in January.

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Located just south of Seattle Univerisity (by AM/PM), Epic is a condo conversion featuring studio, one- and two-bedroom units. The studios and one-bedrooms are located in the center while the 2-bedrooms flank each end of the building. Unlike the others profiled previously, the building is only three years old.

Home Interior features include:

• granite slab countertops in kitchen
• maple cabinets
• slab marble countertops in the bathroom
• balconies
• appliances included washer & dryer
• Hardwood floors and stainless steel appliaces are optional.

Building features include:

• Business Center
• Fitness Center
• Flat Panel TV Theater
• BBQ Area

Interestingly, buyers will have the option to purchase units “as is” and update it themselves, or purchase one that has already been updated. Prices start from $199,000. Visit Epic at www.epicseattle.com

Click here to see if any units are currently available.