Candela Hotel & Residences

Status: Proposed: 2012
Neighborhood: Downtown

CONDOS FOR SALE

Here you can find all active listings at Candela. If your dream condo is not listed, sign-up to be instantly notified by email.

Sign-Up to receive an instant email notification of new Candela condos for sale as soon as they hit the market. Membership also includes a monthly review of all activity for this building.

DESCRIPTION

Opening in 2012, Candela Hotel & Residences, Seattle will become an iconic part of the city skyline. Located in the heart of downtown at Second Avenue and Pike Street, this enviable location situates owners within one block of the world famous Pike Place Market and within an easy stroll of the waterfront, the Seattle Art Museum, Benaroya Hall, as well as numerous restaurants and retail shops.  Developed in partnership with Urban Visions, Seattle’s leader in sustainable real estate, the project brings together award winning architect Tom Kundig, and celebrated interior designer Clodagh, to create an environment of function, wellness and beauty. Enjoy luxury condominium living, a spa membership and the 5-star services of one of the most exciting luxury hotels to debut in the world.

ADDITIONAL OPINIONS & REVIEWS

*Data is deemed to be reliable, but not guaranteed. In some cases, number of units may include commercial and residential spaces and/or height may or may not include a 13th floor.

Insignia

Status: Proposed: 2011
Neighborhood: Belltown

CONDOS FOR SALE

Here you can find all active listings at Insignia Towers. If your dream condo is not listed, sign-up to be instantly notified by email.

Sign-Up to receive an instant email notification of new Insignia Towers condos for sale as soon as they hit the market. Membership also includes a monthly review of all activity for this building.

DESCRIPTION

Insignia raises the bar on all aspects of downtown Seattle living. Comparable to living in a five-star resort, Insignia turns leisure into luxury with an expansive array of amenities that cater to every modern indulgence.  Insignia will boast Seattle’s most comprehensive amenities program. An extensive array of private facilities is consolidated on the expansive 7th level including an outdoor courtyard garden, an indoor pool, a spa, screening room and lounge areas. Creating an open and lofty ambience is the 8th level mezzanine area, complete with fitness center, wine-tasting room, library and more.  Atop each tower lie Insignia’s two incredible 41st floor SkyLounges. These spectacular spaces featuring four outdoor decks, games rooms, wet bars and full-sized kitchens with conversation bars, enclosed in floor to ceiling windows for 360° panoramic views of the city, Puget Sound, Elliott Bay, Lake Union and the surrounding mountains.

ADDITIONAL OPINIONS & REVIEWS

*Data is deemed to be reliable, but not guaranteed. In some cases, number of units may include commercial and residential spaces and/or height may or may not include a 13th floor.

Gallery Presentation Center New Location

Gallery has informed us that they are moving thier presentation into the building this weekend!  You will now be able to visit them at 2911 2nd Avenue, Suite 120.  They will be in one of their fabulous loft townhomes just north of the lobby.  They will also continue to be open 7 days a week from 11:00 to 6:00.

This is an exciting opportunit to see one of the many new construction project finally come to fruition.  Congratulations GALLERY!

Banner Building – 80 Vine St., Seattle, WA 98121

ESCALA New Construction Photos

Wow, have we have been lucky with the weather.  We were fortunate enough to have fairly blue skies while taking a hard hat tour of ESCALA today with John Midby.  Since there is yet to be any interior walls at the construction site, it’s really difficult to paint the picture of what everything will look like.  Therefore, our photos are focused on the amenity space, quality of construction, and views.

After climbing up and around a little boys hot wheel car playground paradise, we entered the enormous lobby.  Midby pointed out the where the winding staircase will attach to the 3rd floor.  The long-time developer assured us the staircase would be, “smashing.”

From here, we went down the east wing of the building where there will eventually be a plush lounge and fireplace for guests and residents to relax.  Which restaurant will occupy the northern portion of the luxury development is still up in the air.  However, based on the chuckle and “we don’t know yet” response by John, there’s plenty of interest.

One of things that was most impressive about the tour was not only the views and the spacious floorplans, but just the amount of concrete.  Before our exit, John stated that, “We want the quality of our work to represent everything we do.  We spared no expense on quality.”

With much of the construction materials scattered about, it was difficult to get a good shot of the spectacular views for those who have, or will be purchasing units in the northeastern corners.  However, there’s a straight shot down a corridor that will give these homeowners a spaceneedle view.  In addition, many of those same floorplans will offer homeowners lake views.  Personally, I really enjoyed the view down 4th Avenue which is shown below.

And these guys…  They just wanted to say hi to mom, dad, and the rest of the fam.

We’ll follow up this post soon with renderings of the amenities, which are not yet ready to be released.

Four Seasons New Construction Photos

Thankfully, unlike every other day over the last several, Friday was perfect for visiting the new Four Seasons & Private Residences. Sales representative Molly Gleason met me, April, and Justin out front to give us hard hats and inspect our boots (April’s were “cute” Chooka rainboots with pictures of skulls, hearts, sparrows, and lucky horseshoes). So, here’s some of the highlights…

Our journey began by going through the residence’s private entrance, which passed by the soon to be, Fran’s Chocolates (thank you Molly for the delivery: yummy). We then passed through the lobby, and to the ART restaurant where Kerry Sear from Cascadia in Belltown will take the position of Executive Chef.

Art Restaurant and Lounge will be a Northwest-inspired eatery featuring a casual bar-style counter area in the middle of the restaurant. There will be 65 tables and private dining room which all have extraordinary western views.

We then traveled up the service elevator to the 20th floor to take a look at one of the 2-story units. Since the unit is spoken for, we cannot post any photos. But I assure you that it is on top of the world.

After soaking in some sun on #2002’s extra large deck, we traveled to the 18th floor where there is still a couple units available for you to make an offer.

Eastern facing units also had impressive city views with plenty of light. As you can see from the photo below, the floorplan allowed the windows to stick out a few feet. So, you are able to clearly see down 1st Avenue.

Curious to know what $15,800,000 looks like? Since it was difficult to really take pictures that paint the picture properly, here’s a comment that Molly made that may give you a good idea. She said, “This is where your additional quarters would be if you had a private staff.” The unit takes the entire half of the floor, has a 2nd kitchen for the “hired staff,” features 3 separate decks, and 6 bedrooms.

If we didn’t have to consider load time for photos on the Internet, we’d post more of this unit. But, if you’re interested in buying, give us a call and we’ll arrange a showing.

If $15.8 million is just over your budget, unit #1102 is still available and very much of a favorite. This home faces west, and located in the south corner of the north side of the horseshoe shaped high-rise.  Take a look at this awesome living space below.

So, that’s enough for now. We’ll be sure to post a follow up of some amenity photos including a gorgeous spa, grand ballroom, and design textures.  Price list is available for the 11 remaining units of the 36 total.

Condo King County Weekly Sales Ratios for Aug 6th, 13th, and 20th 2008

Condo Only, NWMLS Area 701 (Belltown & Downtown Seattle)

Click images to enlarge in new window.

• August 6th

• August 13th

• August 20th

The Gardner Report

Mr. Gardner is a land use economist and principal with Gardner Johnson Land Use Economics and is considered by many to be one of the foremost real estate analysts in the Pacific Northwest. Mr. Gardner has recently submitted the second in a series of economic reports acknowledging the downturn in Washington’s housing market. Below are some graphs that reflect data gathered for our regional economics and real estate.

First, Gardner shares his opinion by saying that we will see an upward pressure on unemployment rates as we learn to deal with high gas prices and low consumer sentiment.

“The increases in the overall unemployment rates are, for the most part, a function of contraction in construction and financial activity sectors that are a direct result of the housing downturn.”

However, even though the job market has slowed, our sixteen-county region still added 32,500 new jobs (29,000 of which were in King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties).

As far as real estate is concerned, Gardner pointed out that there has been inconsistencies in the percentage declines in sales. He then later follows up with a “however” and states that we are seeing more equal declines across the region.

In the second quarter of this year, transactional velocities remained stubbornly low with all of the counties surveyed seeing decreases of between 25 to 40 percent from the same timeframe in 2007—overall, sales are down 35 percent.

As many other industry professionals say, Gardner hypothesizes that the market is struggling with tight credit restraints and still in fear (or hopes) of further price reductions. We still say, buy–if you can. The average home value has increased by 60 percent between June 2003 to June of this despite recent slowing. While the recent downturn may have scared away many investors, those looking to buy to live can still expect the area as a “positive long-term asset,” Gardner states.

Mr. Gardner concluded the report by saying sidelined buyers should return back to the market as we see more stability in our national economy. His speculation, as well as mine, is that we should see more buyer activity towards the end of this year by having more showings, phone inquiries, and increased traffic at open houses. If this is the case, then much of the public won’t see the “activity” until the media catches up in the second quarter. The first quarter of the year is where we would expect to begin documenting an increase in activity with more offers, pendings, and solds.

VIEW ENTIRE REPORT

The Meridian – 1420 Terry Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101

1915 Second For Sale

Another proposed project by Intracorp has been canceled, and is up for sale. The project itself has been approved, even though there have been recent changes to building code due to enhanced height restrictions. However, Intracorp has failed to comment as to why they seem to be unsuccessful with recent development attempts. As Matt Goyer points out, the Parc seems to be Intracorps only project over the last couple of years that hasn’t fallen through, or been converted to apartments.

Naturally, Moran and Company boast their excitement for retaining the rights to continue listing the property. Regardless of Intracorps’ stand on why the project is up for sale, 1915 Second is in a prime location, has an attractive design, features desirable amenities, and claims to have unobstructed views–unlike another hole in the ground idea which was planned nearby.

2nd & Stewart is a 12,950 sq. ft. site located in the heart of downtown Seattle in the Market District. It is within half a block of the Pike Place Market to the west and two blocks to Westlake Center and Downtown Seattle’s retail core to the east. To the south (within four-blocks) are Benaroya Hall, the expanded Seattle Art Museum and over 21 mm sq. ft of core Class-A office space in Seattle’s Central Business District. To the north is the vibrant Belltown neighborhood, which contains a multitude of fashionable restaurants and shops focused on 1st and 2nd Avenue.

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