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

There is consistency in their design style; the first thought that comes to my mind is “90° blocky” (mind you, I’m no architectural connoisseur). It seems their design trademark is rectangular cubes.

Since this is a condo and lofts blog I wanted to highlight a few of their projects that readers and potential homeowners/investors might find intriguing.

151 Lofts

151 Lofts, located at 12th Avenue and E. Fir Street, is a 6-story complex consisting of 18 2-level one-bedroom loft homes roughly 770 sq ft in size. Home elements include garage door openings, operable sun shades and individual exterior cantilevered staircases leading to private roof top decks for top level units. Other features include a common courtyard, garage parking, zinc exterior materials and street level commercial space. Pb anticipates the units will be offered from the high $400,000 to low $500,000s. The unit layout will be similar to South Park Lofts.

Pb has already razed the existing building and expects to begin construction in a few months. Pb is the architect and developer of this project.

56th Avenue Live/Work Lofts

Located in Ballard, the 56th Avenue Live/Work Lofts, will feature six 3-level commercial zoned live/work loft units in two structures connected via a central walkway. Pb is the architect for this project.

36th Avenue Live/Work Lofts

Similar in scope to the 56th Avenue project above, 36th Avenue Live/Work Lofts will include six 3-level commercial zoned live/work loft units in the Fremont neighborhood. Pb is the architect for this project.

ID Building

The ID Building is a 24-story hotel/condo concept proposed for 4th Avenue between downtown and the International District, across from the city’s Emergency Operations Center.

Pb informs that they are still in the early stages and development of this project is dependent on zoning changes for the area. Should they get the green light, the ID Building will include a boutique hotel on the lower 12 floors and condos on the upper 12 floors with an open air roof top area that’ll include hotel and residential amenities. Pb is the developer and architect for this project and is aiming for a 2011 start date.

See also: Hugeasscity, the Slog,

Unit #A102 is one of only a handful of live/work lofts available within the complex, perfectly suitable for office or artisan studio space. The unit is a spacious 1,214 square feet of open living space with 12′ ceilings. Other home features include:

• Master suite with walk-in closet, built-ins and a huge 5-piece master bath
• Open living/kitchen space with oversized windows
• Separate loft area with an adjoining closet. The space is completely customizable – use it as an office, studio, 2nd bedroom or media room – whatever fits your need.
• 2nd full bathroom
• Stone countertops, stainless steel appliances, gas fireplace
• Bamboo, carpet and tile flooring
• Private deck, in unit w/d, parking & extra storage
• Pet friendly

The Portal was constructed in 2004 consisting of 76 condominium homes in two buildings overlooking Lake Union. Though the buildings back to Aurora, the homes are on the East-side with the common hallway buffering the homes from Aurora. Amenities include a courtyard off the community club room and an expansive roof top deck. Access to the Portal is via Dexter Avenue.

If you’re keeping track of 2200 sales activity, the addresses for the three buildings are (map):

• 2121 Terry Avenue
• 900 Lenora Street
• 910 Lenora Street

Sampling of sales as of 2/6/07

Information acquired from public records and are deemed accurate but not guaranteed.

View 2200 Westlake condos for sale

Post Updated: 2/6/07

Expo 62 (2nd & John) will consist of 113 townhomes, flats and work/live lofts across the street from the Seattle Center.

Read updated review at: Expo 62 – Lower Queen Anne (4/23/07).