The Seattle Condo Blog | Seattle Condos and Lofts

So far, 2012 is becoming a watershed year for Seattle’s beleaguered condo market as we’ve quietly shifted into a seller’s market seemingly overnight with a constricting inventory supply and strong buyer demand.  As a result, the remaining new construction and condo conversion projects have benefited from the market’s turnaround.

Here’s a look at the 2012 year-to-date sales activity and the current total sales percentage of the remaining major condominiums in Seattle.

North Seattle

Hjarta

2012 YTD Activity:	5 sales
Total Sales %:	80% Sold

View available Hjarta condos for sale

hjartaballard.com

Duncan Place

2012 YTD Activity:	4 sales
Total Sales %:	89% sold with 7 units remaining

View available Duncan Place condos for sale

duncanplacecondos.com

Downtown Core

Marselle

2012 YTD Activity:	13 sales
Total Sales %:	85% sold with 19 homes remaining

View available Marselle condos for sale

marsellecondos.com

Olive 8

2012 YTD Activity:	14 sales
Total Sales %:	75% sold

View available Olive 8 condos for sale

olive8.com

Escala

2012 YTD Activity:	41 sales
Total Sales %:	65% sold

View available Escala condos for sale

escalaseattle.com

1521 Second

2012 YTD Activity:	12 sales
Total Sales %:	90% sold with 16 homes remaining

View available 1521 Second condos for sale

fifteentwentyone.com

Four Seasons Seattle

2012 YTD Activity:	0 sales
Total Sales %:	70% sold

View available Four Seasons homes for sale

residences.fourseasons.com

Pontedera

2012 YTD Activity:	6 sales
Total Sales %:	29% sold

View available Pontedera condos for sale

pontederacondos.com

Capitol Hill / First Hill

 Decatur

2012 YTD Activity:	8 sales
Total Sales %:	92% sold with 11 homes remaining

View available Decatur condos for sale

ownthedecatur.com

1111 E Pike

2012 YTD Activity:	3 sales
Total Sales %:	96% sold with 1 home remaining

View available 1111 E Pike condos for sale

1111eastpike.com

Harvard & Highland

2012 YTD Activity:	5 sales
Total Sales %:	92% sold with 3 homes remaining

View available Harvard & Highland homes for sale

harvardandhighland.com

Sanctuary

2012 YTD Activity:	7 sales
Total Sales %:	58% sold with 5 homes remaining

View available Sanctuary homes for sale

liveatsanctuary.com

West Seattle

Dakota

2012 YTD Activity:	2 sales
Total Sales %:	70% sold

View available Dakota condos for sale

westseattlecondos.info

 

Located just south of St. Mark’s Cathedral, Harvard & Highland is nestled among the quiet tree-lined streets of the Harvard-Belmont Landmark District—the only residential community in Seattle listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A classic alternative to downtown living, Harvard & Highland offers quality, concrete and steel construction with gracious floor plans, enhanced privacy and attractive sellout prices when compared with in-city high-rise condominium towers.

Presently, only eight of the community’s thirty-eight distinctive condominium residences are available for purchase.

“Our buyer profile could be around the corner or around the world,” says Community Sales Director, Melissa Camp. “We look forward to closing out our remaining inventory soon given emerging trends in home sales and a dearth of new supply.”

“Supply of this design is inherently limited, our client has a closeout perspective and interest rates are at historic lows. It all adds up to opportunity for homebuyers ready to make a move.”

Harvard & Highland is comprised of five buildings with seven or eight generously-scaled, single-level residences within each. With only two or three homes per floor, most residents enjoy three exterior walls of windows maximizing natural light.

This low density approach to development provides greater exclusively, added security and harmoniously merges the benefits and conveniences of urban living while residing within an established residential neighborhood. One of the Harvard Avenue buildings is sold out while a second Harvard Avenue building and one of the two Broadway East buildings has only one unit each remaining.

View Harvard and Highland Residences for Sale

 

View all homes for sale in the Harvard Belmont District

 

Harvard & Highland’s upscale features and finishes include:

• Gracious 9′ ceilings in the main rooms, all featuring coffer detailing with custom crown moldings
• Wolf cooktops and wall ovens, Sub-Zero refrigerators, Asko dishwashers
• Solid cherry wood kitchen cabinets
• Solid 5.25″ baseboard with custom detailing, and elegant 5.5″ crown moldings
• State-of-the-art acoustically engineered designs, with “tried, tested and proven” double-insulated wall construction and a special multi-layer composite floor system (the top layer of which is tongue-and-groove engineered hardwood flooring)
• Radiant-heated stone tile floor surfaces in master bathrooms
• All suites fully air conditioned with highly efficient and ultra-quiet heat pump units
• Secure private parking with 2, 3 or 4 spaces per home (depending upon suite size)

Harvard and Highland is situated on the former Scottish Rite Masonic Temple site on Capitol Hill and is designed by Studio Meng Strazzara and developed by Admiralty Group, LLC.

Inquire to schedule a private tour or for additional information.

Trace North – Capitol Hill

Trace North is now sold out! The last developer unit, #502, went under contract this week and is now pending.

Fortunately, for those interested in Trace North there are a few resales available.

Enso Condominium – South Lake Union

Enso Condominium is about to close out sales with just two new homes remaining – units 702 and 1602. Both are NE facing (towards Lake Union) one-bedroom 769 square foot homes available at $410,000 and $460,000.

These are also Vulcan’s final two condo units from the last construction cycle, which will complete their foray into condominiums. Presently, Vulcan is reviving its Martin project in Belltown, but as apartments.

   >>  View available Enso condos for sale

1521 Second – Downtown

The 1521 Second tower has closed 117 units and is now over 84% sold. 1521 is a luxury condominium offering exquisite finished homes commanding spectacular city, Puget Sound and Olympic range views. Homes start from just under $1 million.

   >>  View available 1521 Second homes for sale

Olive 8 – Downtown

Olive 8 is now over 2/3 sold with more than 145 homes closed.

   >>  View available Olive 8 condos for sale

Four Seasons – Downtown

The uber-luxurious Four Seasons Private Residences is clinging on to its remaining 11 new homes…there hasn’t been a sale there all year (per NWMLS records). Most of the available homes under $3 million are on the 1st Avenue side facing the Russell Investments tower while the choice view homes start from just over $6 million.

   >>  View available Four Seasons homes for sale

Escala – Downtown

Downtown’s other remaining condominium tower, Escala, has closed 130 homes. That’s another 30 in the past two months, which brings the project to approximately 48% sold. New homes start from the low-$400,000s.

   >>  View available Escala condos for sale

The Decatur – First Hill

Since the switch in marketing firms, and in some cases, price increases, the Decatur has only closed 1 additional home. That leaves about 21 units remaining.

   >>  View available Decatur condos for sale

Marselle – South Lake Union / Queen Anne

Marselle reports they are over 70% sold and still have a variety of home options available from one-bedroom to two-story penthouses. Homes start from $219,990.

   >>  View available Marselle condos for sale

Bellevue Towers – Bellevue

Downtown Bellevue’s upscale Bellevue Towers continue to sell well with over 230 homes now closed and another 20 or so homes under contract, including two $2 million penthouses. That brings the massive twin-tower, LEED Gold Certified development up to 43% sold.

Wells Fargo is now offering financing at Bellevue Towers, which expects to receive Fannie Mae approval later this year.

   >>  View available Bellevue Towers homes for sale

One Main Street – Bellevue

Bellevue’s only other new condominium development, One Main Street, is also doing well with 70% of its homes sold. Prices start from $299,900 and is FHA approved.

   >>  View available One Main Street condos for sale

Hjarta – Ballard

Ballard’s Hjarta Condominium has also done well this year, they are now 70% sold. Homes in this green constructed concrete & steel building start from $274,950.

   >>  View available Hjarta condos for sale

Danielle – Ballard

The Danielle Condominium in Ballard reports they are over 60% sold. Homes at the Danielle start from the low-$200,000s.

   >>  View available Danielle condos for sale

Harvard & Highland – Capitol Hill

The Harvard & Highland Condominium has sold 76% of its luxury homes leaving 9 available. Tucked quietly away in Capitol Hill’s Harvard-Belmont district, Harvard & Highland offers sophisticated in-city living.

Through the end of October, Harvard & Highland is offering an additional broker bonus. We will rebate 2/3′s of the bonus ($10,000) if you use our associates to facilitate the purchase of a Harvard & Highland home by the end of October.

>>  View available Harvard & Highland homes for sale

 

Disclosure: 1521 Second, Olive 8, Marselle, Harvard & Highland and Hjarta are advertisers of Seattle Condos and Lofts.

One Main Street – Downtown Bellevue

The Bellevue condo market is starting to heat up with One Main Street reporting an additional 3 home sales. The boutique development, conveniently located near the Downtown Bellevue Park, is now 56% sold.

One Main Street offers a variety of home plans to choose from, ranging from a $329,900 open one-bedroom to a $1,609,900 spacious three-bedroom penthouse suite.

Visit the One Main Street website and blog
View One Main Street condos for sale

Bellevue Towers – Downtown Bellevue

Bellevue Towers continue to do exceptionally well, recording another 35 closed sales since May 1st…24 of those in May alone. That might be the highest single month closings for a new condo development we’ve seen in years.

Apparently, at least in the minds of the owners, sales are going so well that they’ve actually increased prices. The increases ranged from $3,000 to $25,000. While they may have sold over 100 homes this year alone, they still have approximately 400 more units to go. New home prices currently range from $316,000 to $5,499,000.

Visit the Bellevue Towers website
View Bellevue Towers condos for sale

Harvard & Highland – the Harvard Belmont District

The classical Harvard & Highland Condominium, nestled in Capitol Hill’s historict Harvard Belmont neighborhood, also reported three sales in May. These beautifully appointed homes are available from $995,000 to $2,350,000.

View the Harvard & Highland website
View Harvard & Highland homes for sale

 

 

Fairview Condos – Mukilteo

Following the Fairview condo auction in November, Matrix took over sales of the remaining twelve unsold units in February. Now, they’re down to the final three homes: 2 two-bedrooms priced at $354,500 & $364,500 and a three-bedroom penthouse that’s offered at $1,115,500.

Visit the Fairview Condos website
View Fairview condos for sale

The Enclave at Lake Union – Eastlake

The Enclave at Lake Union is re-awakening since we last heard from the marketing team last autumn. The developer is repositioning the project targeting homeowners seeking larger in-city waterfront homes.

“We’ve been patiently waiting for the market fundamentals to improve allowing construction to begin. We see an emerging opportunity to target those accustomed to the waterfront lifestyle but preferring to simplify their domestic responsibilities. The Enclave at Lake Union will deliver on all counts,” says Mike Yukevich, Investment Manager and partner at Trinity Real Estate, the developer of The Enclave at Lake Union.

The individual two-bedroom townhomes range in size from 2,500 to 3,000 square feet and are being presold from $1.3 million. The larger 5,200+ square foot, three bedroom “combined” residence is being offered from $2.995 million in an improved “vanilla shell” condition, meaning all the building systems (including elevators) and interior demising is constructed but the prospective homebuyer has the flexibility to specify the interior finishes. Alternatively, a fully finished home to the same luxury specification as the other homes is available turnkey at $3.395 million.

Visit the Enclave website
View Enclave homes for sale (presale)

Olive 8 Sky Suites – Downtown Seattle

Realizing an emerging market of out-of-towners looking for a second in-city Seattle home with resort amenities, Olive 8 is offering its remaining open one-bedroom condo homes (the ‘xx09′ and ‘xx10′ stack) fully furnished.

The turnkey furniture packages from Alchemy Collections is available with full price offers on the newly named open one-bedroom “Sky Suite Collection” homes, which start from $370,000.

Visit the Olive 8 website
View Olive 8 condos for sale

Disclaimer: At time of publication, Olive 8 is an advertiser of Seattle Condos and Lofts.

In 2010 Seattle’s high-end, luxury condo market rebounded with 57 $1 million-plus condo unit sales. That’s a striking 29.5% increase over 2009. The aggregate value of those properties was a whopping $103,761,956, with an average price of $1,820,385. The average per square foot price was $774 but varied widely from a low of $361 to a high of $1,574 per square foot.

Here’s a look at the Top Ten most expensive condo sales in Seattle last year.

Price range: $2 million to $7.2 million
Average price per square foot: $1,088
Number of bedrooms: six 2-bedrooms and four 3-bedrooms
Average size: 3,153 square feet
Location: Downtown Seattle & Capitol Hill’s distinctive Harvard Belmont district.

Giving credit where credit is due, this post was inspired by Estately.com’s 10 Most Expensive Homes Sold in Seattle in 2010.

#1 – Four Seasons Private Residences: $7,198,100

99 Union Street | Downtown Seattle – 5,256 square feet, 2 bedroom, 2.5 baths

View available Four Seasons residences for sale.

#2 – Four Seasons Private Residences: $6,300,000

99 Union Street | Downtown Seattle – 4,003 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths

View available Four Seasons residences for sale.

#3 – Escala: $5,950,000

1920 4th Avenue | Downtown Seattle – 5,170 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 3 baths

View available Escala condos for sale.

#4 – Fifteen Twenty-One: $3,187,900

1521 2nd Avenue | Downtown Seattle – 2,658 square feet, 2 bedrooms, 2.25 baths

View available Fifteen Twenty-One condos for sale.

#5 – Harvard and Highland: $2,300,000

1178 Harvard Avenue E | Capitol Hill – 2,520 square feet, 2 bedroom, 2.25 baths

View available Harvard and Highland condos for sale.

#6 – Merrill Court: $2,200,000

907 Harvard Avenue E | Capitol Hill – 4,225 square feet, 3 bedroom, 4 baths

View available Merrill Court condos for sale.

#7 – Fifteen Twenty-One: $2,200,000

1521 2nd Avenue | Downtown Seattle – 1,644 square feet, 2 bedroom, 1.75 baths

View available Fifteen Twenty-One condos for sale.

#8 – Harvard and Highland: $2,100,000

1178 Harvard Avenue E | Capitol Hill – 1,790 square feet, 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths

View available Harvard and Highland condos for sale.

#9 – Escala: $2,000,000

1920 4th Avenue | Downtown Seattle – 2,442 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths

View available Escala condos for sale.

#10 – Fifteen Twenty-One: $2,000,000

1521 2nd Avenue | Downtown Seattle – 1,825 square feet, 2 bedrooms, 1.75 baths

View available Fifteen Twenty-One condos for sale.

List and aggregate information determined by sales recorded in the Northwest MLS database, but were calculated independently by The Seattle Condo Blog.

For this week’s condo digest I’m doing something a little different – highlighting the Facebook pages of current condo developments that are for sale. All of these pages were created and are maintained by the marketing/sales teams so they can get out of date when a development changes marketing firms. Though, for the most part they’re up to date with project and pricing updates, photos and neighborhood happenings.

In my opinion, the best are (1) the Verdeaux page with its great resident interaction, (2) the homeowner testimonials on Marselle page and (3) Trace Lofts/North’s fantastic Capitol Hill community updates.

1111 E Pike (withering away) – Condos on Capitol Hill.

7800 Plaza (current) – Condos on Mercer Island, now 50% sold.

Bellevue Towers (current) – Condos in downtown Bellevue.

Celine Place (current) – Townhomes in North Seattle.

Danielle (current) – Condos in Ballard.

Decatur (never got going) – Condos on First Hill.

Harvard & Highland (starting to fade) – Condos on Capitol Hill.

Marselle (current) – Condos near the Seattle Center.

Olive 8 (withering away) – Condos in downton Seattle. However, Hyatt at Olive 8 page is going strong.

One Main Street (current) – Condos in downtown Bellevue.

Point Edwards (current) – Condos in Edmonds.

Pontedera (current) – Condos in Seattle.

Sylvan Ridge (current) – Townhomes in West Seattle.

Trace Lofts & Trace North (current) – Condos and lofts on Capitol Hill.

Verdeaux (current) – Condos in Bothell.

And, you can find The Seattle Condo Blog on Facebook, too!   By the way, I tend to post more on our Facebook page than I do on the blog, so consider “liking” us to get more condo updates, news articles and community information.

The exclusive Harvard and Highland condominium development in the Harvard-Belmont district of Capitol Hill is nearing completion and is celebrating with a public grand opening on Saturday, July 25th from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Thereafter, showings and tours will be by appointment only.

Harvard and Highand (website) consists of 38 luxury homes situated within 5 brick and stone-faced buildings enclosing a beautifully landscaped courtyard. These well-appointed homes are quite spacious ranging from 1,740 square feet for a two-bedroom unit to a 3,750 square foot three-bedroom “grand” penthouse. The homes are being offered from $1.5 to $4.9 million. Of the 38 homes, 21 have been sold leaving just 17 homes available for purchase.

Here’s just a short list of the features and finishes offered:

• Gracious 9′ ceilings in the main rooms, all featuring coffer detailing with custom crown moldings
• Wolfe cooktops and wall ovens, Sub-Zero refrigerators, Asko dishwashers
• Solid cherry wood kitchen cabinets
• Solid 5.25″ baseboard with custom detailing, and elegant 5.5″ crown moldings
• State-of-the-art acoustically engineered designs, with “tried, tested and proven” double-insulated wall construction and a special multi-layer composite floor system (the top layer of which is tongue-and-groove engineered hardwood flooring)
• Radiant-heated stone tile floor surfaces in master bathrooms
• All suites fully air conditioned with highly efficient and ultra-quiet heat pump units
• Secure private parking with 2, 3 or 4 spaces per home (depending upon suite size)

Additional design features can be viewed here.

Harvard and Highland is situated on the former Scottish Rite Masonic Temple site on Capitol Hill and is designed by Studio Meng Strazzara and developed by Admiralty Group, LLC.

View available Harvard & Highland homes for sale.