Seattle Condo Review: Blog with News & Advice about Seattle Condos

Stadium Lofts Update

The redesign of Stadium Lofts is causing the project to take longer to complete.  The developer, Nitze-Stagen, and preservation group, Historic Seattle, had initially proposed the stadium Lofts project to be a two-story building. The new plans calls for four additional stories with 70-80 lofts and flat above retail space. This will bring the condo height to approximately 100 feet. A new developer, Maria Barrientos, will be leading the project, although Nitze-Stagen and Historic Seattle will remain involved.

They are currently getting final approval from the city for the new design. One of the major focus areas of the redesign will be to provide parking for more of the homes by rearranging and/or eliminating some of the first floor units. A focus group will be held in May to get a better idea of what sort of finish packages and design elements they will use going forward. The sales center is likely to open either late 2008 or early 2009. Based on the current schedule, the building will be ready early to mid 2010.

Previous Posts:

Stadium Lofts
Stadium Lofts update
Stadium Lofts- Coming soon

-Wendy

Have you seen this yet? 121 Jackson Conversion

121 Jackson, a conversion project set in Pioneer Square started selling last year. The previous 7 unit apartment building was converted into 6 two story condos with two apartment units combined as a large loft. 1 bedroom's start in the mid $500,000's with the largest unit priced at $1.25M. The units range from 627 square feet to a spacious 1,776 square feet.

             One bedroom                            Two bedroom loft

Built in 1902, the building has gone through extensive remodeling including rebuilding the wall on the south side of the building and a complete retrofit for earthquakes. I had the chance to check it out last weekend and here are a few unique features that stood out to me:

1. Interior of the units feature exposed brick and wood beams with more contemporary finshes. A touch of the old meets new feel.
2. With the exception of the studio, the remaining units have its own private deck right off the bedroom. There is no water view but you are getting city views of brick buildings.
3. Instead of engineered hardwood floors, real hardwood floors are installed along with a gas fireplace.
4. If you are wondering about the systems of the building, the developer has updated the plumbing, electrical systems and ducting.

This is probably one of the nicest conversions in Pioneer Square. If you are not looking for the more plentiful highrise concrete condos with soaring windows and want something with a little bit more personality, 121 Jackson may be a good alternative.

-Wendy            

Madison Lofts Update

The low profile Madison Lofts projects is set for completion and ready for touring this May.

Here are a few highlights for this project:

• Concrete and steel building with brick and glass exterior
• Units feature 16' foot lofted celings with wide-planked hardwood floors in the living rooms
• Sleeping lofts will have 7-8" ceilings with a walk in closet.

From the description, Madison Lofts construction seems to be very similar to 19th Ave Lofts but a little bit more upscale.

-Wendy

Stewart & Minor

Many hotel/condo projects are focused on differentiating by their location or design (e.g., AVA & Olive 8) or brand name (Four Seasons) or one of a kind offering and world class amenities (1 Hotel & Residences City suite rental options).  Stewart and Minor, a new proposed hotel/condo project, focuses on their floor plan.

If approved, the hotel/ condominium project will break ground summer 2008 with estimated completion in 2010. 150 hotel rooms (operated by a private hotel management firm yet to be selected) will take up the first 14th stories of the building with 168 loft units starting from the 15th floor to 28th floor. The condominiums range between 500-1,900 square feet. Prices will start from Low $400,000 to over $1M.

So what is so different about this project over their competition? According to the developer:

Seattle Condo Tour

This month, Fisher Broadcasting has organized a Condo tour for homebuyers to check out a list of participating new construction and conversion projects in several neighborhoods. If you have just started the search process, this may be a good chance to make use of their map to get around to check out the condos. (You may also find my SCR Map useful.)  Fisher Broadcasting is providing a complimentary shuttle service to cart you around from sales center to sales center.

One thing to keep in mind is that if you plan on using a Realtor to represent you if/when you buy, be mindful when you register at the sales centers. Just fill in your Realtor's name when they ask if you are working with a Realtor, otherwise you risk needing to pay more out of pocket or getting limited service should you retain the services of a Realtor later.   

When: September 22nd & September 23rd (Saturday & Sunday)

Where :Shuttle service starts at Fisher Plaza (11.00am)

List of condos : visit www.SeattleCondoTour.com

Related posts:

Do you really need a buyer's agent?
Pre-construction purchase
Picking and working with a Realtor

-About Wendy

Belmont Lofts Update

5 out of 42 units in Belmont lofts have already sold even before their VIP event. The Capitol Hill apartment conversion is currently going through replacement of new siding which is estimated to complete in December. Developed by a Portland company, this would be their first conversion project in Seattle.

A few observations from the viewing tour:

• The most interesting floor plans are the lofts units on the top floors. The ceiling heights are at least 12 feet tall. My favorite would be the 07 series with one bedroom off the living room and a loft level that can be comfortably used as a 2nd bedroom or office. The nice thing about this unit is that it has taller windows.
• The units seem to have slightly higher end finishes than most of the conversion that I've seen. The raised sinks in the bathrooms seem to be the trend nowadays. Marble countertops are used in the bathroom instead of the granite that you would typically see in conversions. Luckily, the countertop granite has smooth edges instead of sharp corners -- I'm not a big fan of sharp cornered countertops.
• The building seems to have a mix of different layouts for their floor plans. The kitchen could be right next to living area or separated from it. You'll probably find a few floor plans that have good bedroom sizes but the living room area is a little narrow to work with.

Bagley Lofts Wins Design Award

Weber + Thompson, the architect and interior designer for Bagley Lofts in Wallingford recently won the International Making Cities Livable award for this project.  W+T was able to turn this challenging site into a successful loft project in Wallingford. The project was awarded for a few reasons:                                                        

• Strong intergration of the project's commercial and residential components.
• Successful parking solution and finely detailed facades.
• The project design appropriately reflects the scale shift between adjacent structures.

The condo was completed in 2006 with 43 lofts units and 3,300 square feet of retail space. Homes at Bagley Lofts range in size from 740 to 1,400 square feet. There are three types of units: studios, or standard loft homes; one-bedrooms, which consist of a loft with a separate alcove for a bed or an office; and two-bedrooms, which have a separate bedroom in addition to the loft space. The interior features concrete floors, tall ceilings and warehouse-style windows. Folks appear to really like living there; currently, there are no resale units on the market.

Some other W+T work also include 1521, 2200 Westlake and Cristalla.

-About Wendy

Trace Lofts walk through

I just did a walk through with one of my clients for their purchase in Trace Lofts. They are closing in a few weeks' time. If you have visited the sale center, you probably remember that only pieces of finishes were presented. No model unit for Trace Lofts was available except for Trace North.

The unit turned out better than I expected and was a pleasant surprise for my clients and me. The finishes weren't the typical slab countertop or high-end cabinetry system; however, when everything is put together, everything goes very well with the fir wood flooring and exposed beams. One of the highlights is the heavy salvage door installed in the bedroom, adding an edgy urban touch to the unit.

So far, 70% of the Trace Loft units are sold. 20 out of their 35 released units in Trace North are also under contract. Comparing the two buildlings' finishes, I would much prefer Trace Lofts given they are more interesting and more lofty feel.

Previous posts:

Trace Lofts preview event
Trace Lofts coming soon

-About Wendy

Belmont Lofts

Another apartment conversion, Belmont Lofts in Capitol Hill (231 Belmont Ave E) is coming on the market in August. Previously known as the Belmont Place apartments, the building is currently going through some exterior work consisting of new siding, decks and windows.

The conversion will feature 42 studio, one bedroom, and two bedroom units. 12 of them are either studio lofts or one bedroom lofts which are on the higher levels.

The condo is purported to have views of downtown, Lake Union and Space Needle. Homebuyers can expect hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, slab countertop and Italian cabinetries to be offered with this project. The units range from less than 400 square feet to the largest unit of 920 square feet. Average selling price for these units will be around $529/square feet.

The VIP event will take place on Aug 10th, 11th and 12th Aug 31st from 10.00am to 9.00pm (Updated on 08/30/07). Prices start in the $200,000's.

-About Wendy

Technorati Tags: Belmont Place apartments, Belmont Lofts condo, Belmont Lofts, Capitol Hill condos, Capitol Hill conversion, Seattle condos, Seattle real estate, Seattle lofts

Stadium Lofts

While the owners of Smith Tower are waiting for the Pioneer Square Preservation board approval, Stadium Lofts got their approval Last November.

Now the developer is going even further, instead of adding 3 levels, they are requesting an additional level on top of this historic building. If approved, 16 units will be added to the already approved 69 units. Read more.

Previous post on Stadium Lofts

-About Wendy

Technorati Tags: Condos and lofts, condosandlofts, lofts in Pioneer square, Pioneer square lofts, Pioneer square condos Stadium Lofts, SoDo Lofts, Johnson Architect and Planning, Seattle condos, Seattle Lofts, Seattle Real Estate, Plumbing building

Madison Lofts update

Madison Lofts, a low profile loft project, is currently under construction. Last year, half of their units were auctioned off with sales prices undisclosed. The remaining units will become available this September.

-Wendy

Technorati Tags: Madison lofts, madison loft, madison lofts condo, lofts in Seattle, Lofts in Madison Park, Madison Park condos, Arboretum condos, Seattle Real Estate

Luxe Condos Update

Luxe condominiums will be starting their pre-sales event this weekend for priority registrants. This Queen Anne conversion will feature one bedroom, two bedroom and penthouse units. Prices start at the mid $300,000's with estimated move in date around early July.

Brought to you by the same developer who converted Plaza Del Sol and Mezzo on Capitol Hill, Luxe condominiums interior will feature the following finishes:

• African Tay / Koto wood cabinets
• Cork, marble and hardwood flooring
• Designer inlaid tile in bath
• Custom kitchen countertops with inlaid mother of pearl
• Full height Italian tile backsplash in kitchen and stainless steel appliances

The developer did a pretty good job in Plaza Del Sol and Mezzo conversions. It is also unusual to find hardwood floorings in a wood framed building -- this will be a major attraction for the top floor owners -- potentially a mixed blessing for those with upstairs neighbors. We'll have to see if they carry out similar work in Luxe.

Slideshow on Luxe condos.

-Wendy

Technorati Tags: Queen Anne Condos, Queen Anne conversions, Seattle real estate, Miller condominiums, Seattle condos, Luxe condos, Seattle Real Estate

Lumen Seattle

Since I started this blog over a year ago, many things have taken place. Planned projects went under construction, conversions occured in several neighborhoods near the Seattle urban core, tenants have been displaced, height restrictions were lifted, rental rates have gone up and of course, more planned projects seem to be announced every few weeks.

One of the projects that is near to completion is Lumen, probably one of the most unique condos in Seattle. Their design emphasizes on efficient use of space, clean line and sleek look.

Last week Lumen had a home tour where they unveiled to the public three homes styled by renowned designer, Garret Cord Werner, Kasala and Roche Bobois. If you have visited the previous sale center which showcased their open one bedroom floor plan, (they just moved the center into one of their courtyard units.) you’ll probably remember the contemporary bed with hidden storage below the mattress and cupboard that serves as a dividing wall between the living and bedroom area. That was styled by Garret Cord. The furniture is now in a courtyard open one bedroom unit.

Trace Lofts

Trace Lofts hard hat tours started yesterday. It was great to see the project coming along nicely. They have already built out the 4th and 5th level, which is the addition to the existing building.

We entered the building from the sales center which is going to be used for the Gun club. One of the artifact doors serves as the private door leading from the condos to the Gun Club. Industrial artifacts will decorate the common area as well. Even thought the project is not completed, it's not hard to imagine the nick nacks that go with the building exemplify the Pike/Pine corridor character. The sales center has a display of a model bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen of Trace North. Recycled vinyl was used in the bathroom and constantine loop carpet in the bedroom.

Expo 62 update

Expo 62 condos had a low profile sneak preview last Friday for the public which started at 7:00am. One would think that 7:00am is early for any type of preview event. Nevertheless, the sales center commented to me that they have homebuyers standing at the sales center door even earlier on preview day. So what's so special about Expo?

Designed by Weber +Thompson and developed by a member of the Intra-corp companies, this built green project in Queen Anne will feature 114 unit condominiums with 48(!) different layouts. They include the following floor plans:

- Studio
- Open one bedroom
- One bedroom plus den
- Two bedroom
- Three bedroom penthouse

   

In addition to the floor plans above, 13 live/work lofts will also be available on the street level. A combination of handi plank, metal and mondarin style (compositions of brightly colored rectangular forms) windows is used for the building exterior.

The building amenities will be designed by Robin Chell Design whose recent project includes the Parc condos. Completion is slated for summer 2008 and more firm pricing will be available in a few weeks’ time.

Preliminary Expo 62 price ranges

(Update 01/17/2008: Expo 62 has converted from pre-sale condos to "luxury apartment rentals" for summer of 2008.) Read more here.

Vine, Ellington and Klee

Even though there’s been a lot of condo inventory coming from new construction projects in the Belltown and Downtown areas, many home buyers are finding themselves unable to afford the goods in the various and sundry pricey new showrooms. If you are a home buyer who has a flexible purchasing timeline and feeling that you are not getting the bang for your buck from the latest projects, the market for a condo that’s a few years old may be your next best alternative.

Let’s look at a few early 2000 condos that may not have the fanciest finishes or latest features but will probably meet most of your home criteria and allow you to experience stylish urban living.

The Vine

The Vine

The Vine, located on Western Ave between Cedar and Clay St, is the winner of over 16 Regional and National Awards including the “Attached community of the year 2003.” The condo is made up of a 12 story high rise with an adjoining 6 story mid-rise with a rooftop terrace. The interior home concepts were designed by local renowned designer, Garret Cord Werner. One interesting floor plan available is their one bedroom plus den. It gives the homeowner the flexiblility to open up an interior opening from the bedroom into the living room.

More info:
Vine condos slideshow
Vine condos currently on the market

The Ellington

The Ellington

One of many Intra-corp projects in Belltown, the Ellington has two 12 story buildings connected by an enclosed hallway. In terms of finishes, Ellington is very similar to the Vine.  Some buyers complain that the windows are a bit on the small side but the location and overall quality of construction are quite attractive.

More info:
Ellington condos slideshow
Ellington condos currently on the market

The Klee

The Klee

Named after Paul Klee, a Swiss artist of German descent, the Klee is an apartment bulding which was converted to condos in 2004. Designed by Hewitt Architects, the same firm who also designed Lumen in Queen Anne, the Klee comprises two buildings with a central courtyard. The north concrete tower contains 98 condominiums and the adjacent southern wood-frame building includes 42 units. 13 open flat lofts are located between the two buildings. The Klee is best known for its open one bedrooms. If you like a lot of privacy, this may not be an ideal floor plan for you but you can generally get a lot of bang for your buck regardless of what floor plan you end up picking.

Featured Listing- 2BR/2BA Condo- $455,900

More info:
Klee condos slideshow

Equinox update 2

Equinox has started selling their units. As of last weekend, close to 40 units were sold.

Three different parts of the building make up this 204 unit condo. The two parts of the building closest to Eastlake Ave have lofts, open one bedrooms, one bedroom plus dens and two bedrooms. The 4 two-level lofts in the north side of the building are approximately 1,000 square feet and feature 17 foot ceilings. Units on the first level facing the courtyard have their own private patio.

The third part of the building (further from Eastlake Ave) has open one bedrooms, one bedroom plus dens, two bedrooms and two bedroom plus dens. This side of the building is closer to I5 and you’ll probably hear a little bit of traffic noise. For those who are sensitive to noise, you might want to keep that in mind.

Beside the spacious, above street level, gated courtyard, Equinox has a separate ‘Jewel box’ glass enclosed lobby that allows visitors to enter before getting into the condo. This is a rather unique design.

Three color schemes are available for home buyers to choose from and several customization and options are also available.

• Euroslider room dividers

• Hardwood floors throughout

• Mobile kitchen island

• Electronic shades (cool!)

• Custom multi-media systems

• Air conditioning

I asked Carrie DeBuys, the sales manager, about the project. 

Equinox Update

Equinox is holding their Grand Opening on April 14th and 15th, 2007. Prior to the Grand Opening event, home buyers who are interested in this condo can RSVP for a private preview at their Presentation Center which will occur on March 24th and March 31st, 2007. Priority purchase appointments are on a first come, first served basis.

Previous post and slideshow.

-Wendy

Technorati Tags: Equinox, Eastlake lofts, urban condominiums, Eastlake condos, williams marketing, Seattle condos, Seattle Lofts

Stadium Lofts update

Built in the aftermath of the Great Fire of Seattle in 1905, the former Seattle Plumbing Company Warehouse serves as the foundation for the Stadium Lofts project.  Located at the intersection of Pioneer Square, Sodo and the International District, the new project aims to preserve the original historic character of the neighborhood. 

The original brick façade of building will be preserved while at the same time incorporating visually distinct elements of the expansion, the Trace Lofts conversion in Capitol Hill is a similar project. 69 loft units will be built above the former warehouse, with three live/work loft spaces on the ground floor along with a bistro.   

Stadium Lofts is slated to be completed in 2008 and many of the units will include private terraces or balconies. Units will also include exposed brick, wood windows in the historic portion and large metal sliding energy efficient windows in the new portions of the building.

Common features include 16’10’ exposed wood ceilings with heavy fir beams, two story windows, environmentally-friendly cork flooring, stainless steel gas cooktops, mobile steel kitchen islands and stone kitchen countertops.

In addition, occupants will have access to a common landscaped community courtyard, as well as a fourth floor intimate garden terrace. Limited pre-sales will start in the spring of this year with the sales center opening in the winter of 2008. Prices are expected to range from high $200,000 to $700,000.

Previous post.

-Wendy

Technorati Tags: Condos and lofts, condosandlofts, lofts in Pioneer square, Pioneer square lofts, Pioneer square condos Stadium Lofts, SoDo Lofts, Mcmcondos, Johnson Architect and Planning, Seattle condos, Seattle Lofts, Lofts in Seattle, Trace Lofts

Carbon 56

Designed for the hip and trendy, Carbon 56 (formerly known as Aristo Apartments) is located in the Denny Triangle neighborhood on 2015 Terry Ave. Capitalizing on the success and cache of 2200 and the new Whole Foods located a block away, Carbon 56 is aimed at the young professional urban dweller who can’t afford or doesn’t want to pay over $500,000 for a condo.

The building was originally constructed in 2003. Carbon 56 has fifty-six New York-style lofts with five different floor plans. Pricing starts in the low $300,000s and go to the high $500,000s. Most units are priced in the low to mid $300,000s. The condos range in size from 660 to almost 1,300 sq ft. and boast 13 feet high floor to ceiling windows and maple hardwood floors. Larger floor plans have elevated resting areas.

The building also has a common terrace and fitness center. Majority of lower floor east and west facing units either come with a private patio or/and private entrance. The units were first offered to tenants in the end of January and now are available to the public. Carbon 56 Price list.

Pros

- Tall ceilings and oversized windows
- One block away from Whole Foods Market
- Good price per square foot pricing

Cons

- The views are sparse

SCR Scorecard

Exterior            Average

Interior            Average

Location            Good

View           Below average

Amenities    Below average

Value                Good

Overall            Average

Final Thoughts:

You don't have to be a hotel/condo or pay the hefty vulcan premium for one to be next door to Whole Foods.  A very attractive choice for real urban professionals who don't have $600k plus to spend on a condo.

-Wendy

   

Technorati Tags: Carbon 56, South Lake Union condos, 2200 Westlake, 2015 Terry Ave, Aristo apartment, work/live lofts, Seattle Lofts, Denny Triangle condos, Kauri investment

Trace Lofts update

Trace Lofts preview event took place yesterday and it felt more like a party than a preview event. One prospective home buyer commented that he liked the set up and another was thankful there wasn’t a lot of hard selling.

The first three levels of Trace Lofts is the original structure of the building. The developer has added two additional levels of homes with set back from the original structure.

Douglas fir flooring, reclaimed (recycled) from old buildings will be used in Trace living spaces. Other finishes include bamboo, basalt stone, terrazo and recycled vinyl. Each unit comes with parking and storage. Homeowner dues has not been determined at this point of time but expect them to be in line with other condo projects on the market.

Units will feature exposed brick and beams with ceiling heights starting from under 9 feet to over 10 feet.  Penthouse homes will have some ceiling heights up to 13 feet. Floor plans include open lofts, open one bedroom, one bedroom and two bedrooms. All floor plans will be available online on their website today. The only amenity in the building is a roof top garden. A mid-century Manhattan lounge will occupy one of the retail spaces.

Recent news article on Pike/Pine corridor.

The death of Pike/Pine corridor

Condos soon will replace a bit of Capitol Hill counterculture

When I asked  Edward Krigsman, President and CEO of ek Real Estate Group, how he thinks Trace lofts will impact the local businesses and the overall character of the Pike/Pine Corridor, he responded with the following:

“The Pike/Pine corridor is a unique area, similar in our opinion to the Pearl District in Portland or Yaletown in Vancouver, BC.  It is filled with eclectic businesses and hangouts, with beautiful old buildings next to teardowns and parking lots crying out for redevelopment as the City becomes more dense. The neighborhood is now experiencing an urban rebirth, and we saw Trace as an opportunity to add an interesting piece to the character of the Pike/Pine corridor.  The Trace Lofts project began with the premise that the handsome corner building had always been an iconic entry point into the neighborhood which was crucial to preserve.

Our developer collaborated closely with other key players in the neighborhood to plan for a mixed-use design that would enhance this highly textured environment.  This is particularly true with respect to the street-level retail spaces, which are critical for people to maintain their connection to an area.  Just as Trace Lofts is not displacing any residents, it also does not displace any current businesses.  In fact, our project is adding additional retail space to the area. The developer is working on filling the retail spaces with small, locally owned retailers offering unique products and services with a mix of daytime and nighttime uses.  The first of these is the Gun Club bar currently being built in Trace by Michael Klebeck, creator of Seattle’s beloved Top Pot Doughnuts and Sun Liquors.  We are also encouraging potential retailers to create distinct design elements in their façade, including customizing their own storefronts and signage. 

One of our main objectives for the project is to ensure that the character of the block and its surrounding neighborhood (including 12th and Madison and Pike/Pine) remains intact, strengthening the community and culture that already exists. This is the primary reason we took the path of refurbishing an existing historic building and utilizing an adjacent unused lot to create new living and retail spaces. With the addition of new retailers and residences, we believe Trace Lofts will have a very positive impact on both the retail community and overall character of Pike/Pine.”

Review not available at this moment, please check back in the summer : ).

Trace Lofts previous post and Reservation.

-Wendy

Technorati Tags: Trace Lofts, Seattle Condos, Seattle Lofts, Pike/Pine corridor, Capitol Hill condos

Trace Lofts reservation

Trace lofts announced that their units will be available for reservation in February.  Home buyers interested in these lofts will need to get a pre-approval from Trace's preferred lender (First Horizon Home Loans). For reservation purposes, Trace lofts fall into four price categories:

I $300,000 ~ $375,000 (17 lofts)
primarily 2nd and 3rd floor lofts
approx. 550 ~ 800 sq ft

II $375,000 ~ $450,000 (9 lofts)
primarily 2nd and 3rd floor lofts
approx. 550 ~ 900 sq ft

III $450,000 ~ $600,000 (12 lofts)
primarily 4th and 5th floor lofts
approx. 600 ~ 1,050 sq ft

IV $800,000 + (4 lofts)
2 bedroom, penthouse lofts
approx. 1,100 + sq ft

Floor plans and finishes will be available during their preview event on Jan 18th, Thursday. Conversion of the reservation into a purchase will occur in April 07. Read more on the reservation procedure.

Trace Lofts previous and latest post.

-Wendy

Technorati Tags: Trace Lofts, Seattle Lofts, Seattle Condos, Seattle pre-sales

Trace Lofts preview event

If you are looking for a loft with historic feel that combines with modern days touch, check out Trace Lofts. They'll be having their preview event on Jan 18th. 

Venue: Osteria La Spiga
               1429 12th Ave, Seattle WA 98122

Time:  6.30pm to 9.30pm

The Pine and Pike corridor has been an area where you can find quite a number of lofts condos. Read more on lofts in this neighborhood.

-Wendy

Technorati Tags: Trace Lofts, Trace North, Ted Schroth of GTS Development, Johnson Architecture & Planning, 12th & Pike, 12th & Madison, 12th and Pike, 12th and Madison, Maestri Design, Seattle condos, Seattle lofts, Capitol Hill condos

Icon Tower

Icon Tower, a proposed 30 story condominium, will potentially be located on a triangle bound by Wall St, Denny Way and 6th Ave. If approved, construction will start late spring or early summer of 2007. The condo will feature 224 units ranging between 568 and 1,397 square feet. Icon Tower will rise up to 290 feet, will have 10 levels of underground parking, storefronts and two level of above ground parking. Read more.

-Wendy

Technorati Tags: Seattle condos, South Lake Union condos, Denny Triangle Condos, Icon Tower, Icon condos, Seattle condos, Weber + Thompson

Trace Lofts/Trace Flats update

Trace Lofts has launched their updated website today. The sales center is scheduled to open in spring 2007. The estimated completion date for Trace Lofts will be June 2007 and Trace Flats around December 2007.

Read more on Trace Lofts/ Trace Flats .

-Wendy

Technorati Tags: Trace lofts, Trace flats, Pike and Pine, Pine and Pike, Seattle condos, Seattle condo lofts, Capitol Hill condos

Brix update

Sitting on the north end of Broadway is the site of Brix, a new condo development scheduled for completion in March 2008. The VIP preview event will take place this Saturday at 11.00am and their public opening will be on Oct 21st. Flat units can be found on the Broadway side of the development whereas if you are more interested in a 2 story lofts or northwest style town home, those will be available around the 10th Ave and Mercer side of the condo.

A mix use building with retail on the street level, this 6 story condo will features 141 units with a variety of floor plans. Town homes come with exposed timber beams and modern finishes. 2 story lofts will feature walls-of windows with ceiling heights up to almost 16 feet. Amenities include a roof top deck and courtyard.

Features and finishes

• 2 color scheme options (Trendy and Classic)
• Hardwood floors in kitchen
• Granite countertops or slab milk glass
• Smart box for cable and satellite TV
• Stainless steel appliances
• Brushed steel and glass halogen lights
• Stone slab countertops with undermount sink in the bathroom

Price range

Open Studio                494-550 sf.       High $200s-Mid $400s

1 Bedroom                   497-854 sf.       Low $300s-$Low $400
(Some with den)

2 bedrooms              971-1s165sf.       Low $500s-Low $600s

2 Story Lofts                751-964sf.       Low $400s-High $500s

Town homes           9 47-1,389sf.       Upper $400s-Low $700s

Homebuyers interested in this condo can put down a $5,000 deposit along with a pre-qualification letter from Brix’s preferred lender (Countrywide) to reserve the unit. Reservations will start this Saturday at 11.00am. Final pricing will be available on the week of October 16th. Purchase appointments will occur beginning Oct 17th through Oct 20th. The remainder of the 5% of the purchase price will be required at that time.

Pros

- Good mix of floor plans
- Location, Location, Location

Cons

- Limited closet space for their smaller units
- Private outdoor areas are sparse for many of their one bedroom units

Exterior        Good

Interior        Good

Location    Very good

Value         Average

View          Average

Amenities     Good

Overall         Good

-Wendy

Technorati Tags: Seattle condos, Capitol Hill condos, Brix condos, Williams Marketing, Seattle lofts

Trace Lofts- Coming soon

Trace Lofts

               

          Before                                                    After

Mixing the bones of the original 1920’s warehouse on 12th and Madison with modern construction and desires, Trace Lofts and mixed use high rise, Trace North, will seek to replicate the urban landscape of Portland’s Pearl District. Developer Ted Schroth of GTS Development with the architecture firm Johnson Architecture & Planning LLC , is currently in the demolition phase of a $30 Million retail and residential renovation.

   Trace North

Coordination with the developers of 12th & Pike is aimed at maintaining the sense of eclectic urban neighborhood feel already in existence in the Pike/Pine corridor. Both projects will be using the nationally recognized retail consultant, Maestri Design. Situated in the most densely populated corner of the Northwest region, the new projects are inspired by active city lifestyles.

The project aims to combine the old historic feel of the old turn-of-the-century buildings with the hip and eclectic vibe of more recent years. Both buildings are expected to be completed by Summer 2007.

Trace Loft will feature 42 units ranging from ~$300K to $700K, while Trace North will feature 100 units ranging from ~$200 to $700K. Size will vary from 400 to 1300 sq. ft. with all units coming with their own private decks. The emphasis on preservation will be carried through to the completion of the building with sustainable interior building materials.

Related posts:

Trace Lofts hard hat tour
Trace Lofts walk through

What else is in this neighborhood?

Monique Lofts- 1505 11th Ave
Built ~ early 1900
4 story condo with over 20 units
Warehouse conversion in 1999

 

Pike Lofts- 303 E Pike St
Built in 1998
7 story condo with over 60 units

The Portofino- 417 E Pine St
4 story condo with over 30 units
Built in 1919
Conversion ~1998

615 E Pike St condos
4 story condo with 16 units (some lofts)
Built in 1906
Conversion in 1999
AIA Housing the Northwest award 1999

1310 E Union Lofts
5 story condo with 8 units (Live/work)
Built in 2001
Multiple design awards 

Braeburn- 1420 E Pine St
7 Story condo with 153 units (some lofts)
Built in 2005

19th Ave Lofts- 1812 19th Ave
3 story condo with 45 units
Built 2004

-Wendy

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