The Seattle Condo Blog

Thanks to Jim and Matt who reported that Live Historic’s Marlborough conversion project is reverting back to apartments. Matt also noted that Maris condos on Shilshole made available their unsold units as rentals. Marlborough and Maris joins other developments which reverted back or switched to apartments or are now leasing unsold units - Max, WestWater, Carbon 56, Domaine, Expo 62, Landes, Strata. I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of these.

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

Equinox:
The Equinox sales team report that they’re off to a quick start. Eighty-five percent of those with appointments during the first weekend purchased a home.

Four Seasons:
The uber-exclusive Four Seasons reached a construction milestone this week as the new landmark building rose above street level. At this pace, each floor will be completed every two weeks.

Pioneer Properties:
Preservation-focused Pioneer Properties report they are gearing up for the release of their next three projects later this Spring. They include The Pittsburgh (lower QA), The Nord (Pioneer Square) and The Betsy Ross (Capitol Hill).

Carbon 56:
Carbon 56 recently adjusted their prices. Some units increased in price, some decreased. I’ve updated the most current price list on the Carbon 56 posting.

CityView at Leschi:
CityView indicates they are more than 25% sold. A great start for this conversion project.

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Site Maintenance:
I will be working on some maintenance issues this weekend. While I don’t expect any problems, the last time I manually upgraded software the site was unavailable for a few hours.

Work is continuing on the conversion of the Nord Hotel/Apartments in the heart of Pioneer Square at 312 1st Ave S. When complete, the low-rise vintage brick building will house just seven affordable condominium homes. The studio and two-bedroom units will range from 379 to 792 sq ft.

The Nord is expected to begin pre-sales in April with a Fall completion date.

As of 12/03/07, two 2-bedrooms remain both are listed at $415,000.

Home features include:

• All new stainless steel appliances, including microwave and dishwasher in some units
• Terrazzo countertops in kitchen and bathroom
• Cork floors
• Glass mosaic shower surrounds
• Contemporary porcelain floor tiles
• Custom cabinetry
• New bathroom fixtures
• Pet Friendly
• Homeowner dues include garbage, sewer, water and maintenance
• Storage available
• Washer & Dryers
• New kitchen cabinets

Overall, pretty good for the price-level and location. And, well, it’ll only appeal to owners who don’t mind living in a busy & lively area. There’s no parking, but the developer will provide two-years of free parking for buyers.

On the other hand, step out the front door and you’ll have your choice of numerous cafes, restaurants, bakeries, antique shops and nightclubs.

A Little History (per Seattle’s Historical Sites page)

Originally constructed in 1890 after the Great Fire in the “Queen Anne - Richardsonian Romanesque” style, the building began life as the Thompson Hotel. From 1915-1969 it served as the Nord Hotel and named after Frank Nordquist, a hotel manager.

Recent Articles:

Seattle Times - Vintage Condos article

CityView Condos - Leschi

CityView held its brokers open sneak preview today. The builder did a great job at renovations. I updated the post with current pricing, photos & review - view CityView post. The grand opening is this weekend the weekend of February 24th.

Maris - Shilshole

Construction on this boutique condo at Shilshole is moving along. Maris shares the same developer as First Church on Capitol Hill.

The Nord - Pioneer Square

Work on The Nord Condominium conversion in Pioneer square is underway. The 1900 classic brick building will be home to just 7 homes. The Nord will begin sales later this year. More info to come…stay tuned.

The Betsy Ross - Capitol Hill

The Betsy Ross is a conversion project on Capitol Hill. The vintage 1928 building will be home to 16 one-bedroom homes. Sales is expected to begin later this year. More info to come…stay tuned.

A stones throw away from Expo 62 in lower Queen Anne is a new conversion development called The Pittsburgh at 125 Warren Ave N (map).

Constructed in 1907, this beautiful vintage 3-story brick building will be home to 31 studio, one- and two-bedroom units, ranging from 255 to 863 square feet. Studios will be priced from the mid-$100,000s, one-bedrooms from the high $200,000s and two-bedrooms from the mid-$300,000s.

Features will include:

• Top-grade appliances (microwave & dishwasher in selected units)
• In-unit washer & dryers
• Granite countertops in kitchen and bath
• Solid fir floors
• Clawfoot tubs
• Pedestal sinks
• Juliet balconies
• Gas fireplaces
• Landscaped courtyard with fountain
• Pet friendly

It doesn’t appear there is deeded parking, though all residents will receive free parking for two years.

Homes are expected to begin selling around March/April with a Fall 2007 occupancy date.

Just a couple of blocks away, residents will enjoy easy access to Seattle Center events and dine at Jalisco’s and sip martinis at Tini Bigs.

The Pittsburgh is being redeveloped by Pioneer Properties who’s goal is “reinventing neighborhoods and recycling old homes.” They recently completed work on Queen’s Court which is just across the street from The Pittsburgh. Queen’s Court was redone very well and is affordable for many people.

Additionally, Pioneer Properties is providing a unit, at the same low rental amount, to one of the Queen’s Court’s long-time tenants who couldn’t afford relocation. Not something many other developers would even consider.

VintageSeattle.org’s post on The Pittsburgh.

Update 4/2/07 from Rob Tang of Pioneer Properties:

… we are making a significant investment in improving the infrastructure at the Pittsburgh including electrical, plumbing & sewer, heat, new windows, and significant unit upgrades. About 1/3 of the homes will have parking spaces; for the other 2/3 we will pay for 3 years of parking in the garage across the street.