To “Seattle FTV” on SkyscraperCity Forum

Unfortunately we haven’t logged into the SkyscraperCity.com forum for some time, so out account has been disabled.  But we wanted to take a moment to address the issue of hard hat tours mentioned by a frustrated buyer on the popular skyscraper discussion board regarding Olive 8 and recent photos taken.

The question was:

am i wrong in being ticked about not letting us future owners in to show us around? they’re letting this agent all over (even on the freaking roof!) and in 2.5 yrs they’ve given us one shot in the building…

LAME. fire codes my butt.

last time i ever buy something through Williams Marketing.

Dear Seattle FTV,

We just wanted to let you know how we got into Olive 8 to get those photos in mention, and how you can do it too if you like. I think they’re a really great sales team over there (unlike the futile efforts I’ve had trying to get into a few others), and would work with you if you were very interested in taking a look.

So here’s the skinny on fire codes.  The fire department doesn’t want these new construction sites doing hard hat tour “events” because of OSHA rules.  However, individual tours are ok which is why I’ve been able to get into Olive 8, ESCALA, and the Four Seasons.  Still pushing for 1521, Veer, ENSO, and Rollins but it’s really difficult.

Anyhow, point is they give a few tours a week to those who are helping them market the property, potential buyers, and existing buyers.  However, I had to bug them persistently about it for approximately 2 months.  Apparently their time is limited, so it took 3 personal visits and more than double the amount of emails recognizing thier time before I finally got a day and time that had to be rescheduled for another day and time.

In addition, the photos we took have received over a 1,000 views in the last 2 days, so there’s some marketing benefit to them.  Tours also have to go through a process of approval and Leslie Williams has been a good business acquaintance for several years.

But, everybody at ESCALA and Olive 8 have been wonderful and I’m sure if you just gave Olive 8 a polite nudge they’ll work something out.  It’s just important to recognize that they’re very busy and tours also have to be worked out with all workers from the sales team, to the developer, to even to the guys working the elevator.

Finally, out intention was to get those photos taken so those wise individuals who have bought (or are considering buying) at Olive 8 can see how everything is coming along.

[polldaddy poll=1062905]

Condo King County Weekly Sales Ratios for October 30th, 2008

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

Survey Suggests Seller Pricing Contributing to Market Slowdown

It appears that there is a lack of sellers coming to grips with reality when it comes to their homes true market value.  According to a recent survey from October 7th to October 9th by Zillow, 49% of homeowners show that they still believe their home’s value has either increased or stayed the same over the past year.

Homeowner Perception vs. Reality

In reality, 74% percent of homes have lost value in the past 12 months, according to preliminary findings in Zillow’s Q3 Real Estate Market Reports, which will be released Nov. 12.

Homeowner Perception vs. Reality: Q3 and Future Outlook

Perception of Homeowner Change in Last Year

Outlook for Own Home Next 6 Months

Outlook for Local Market Next 6 Months

Read the rest of this article.

*Homeowner perception was obtained through a survey conducted online by Harris Interactive within the United States on behalf of Zillow.com between October 7, 2008 and October 9, 2008, among 1,388 adults ages 18+ who own a home.  Actual percent of homes is as of the third quarter 2008 and represents the actual number of homes that increased, decresed or stayed the same.

Insignia Update: New Exterior and Amenity Renderings

Insignia has made some recent updates in releasing new renderings.  Their website has just been a 2 page site for a few months now, but after a visit today there has been significant updates.  Renderings show examples of a “Living Wall” with ivy vines which well be featured on the corner of Bell and 5th that contribute to Seattle’s “Green Streets” program, a view of the monorail on 5th, the rooftop garden, the fitness center, pool, fireplace/BBQ area, SkyLounge, and amenity floorplans.

Exterior Renderings

Amenity Floorplans

Olive 8 $7.5 Million Penthouse Floorplan

This is (will be) one of Seattle’s most prestigious condos with approximately 4,500 square feet and southern, western, and northern views from one of Seattle’s tallest residential towers.

VIEW NEW CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS OF THE UNIT

Heron Pagoda Towers – 1913 5th Ave., Seattle, WA 98101

Status: Postponed
Neighborhood: Downtown

CONDOS FOR SALE

Here you can find all active listings at Heron Pagoda 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 Heron Pagoda Towers condos for sale as soon as they hit the market. Membership also includes a monthly review of all activity for this building.

DESCRIPTION

Offering high-end hotel, condominium and office space, as well as deluxe retail space at ground level, developers of the 1.2 million-square-foot building at 1913 5th Avenue.  Above the glass-walled base, containing a large atrium, would rise the northern tower, nicknamed Pagoda. It would contain nine floors of hotel space, with 22 floors of condos above that.  Pagoda would be architecturally distinctive on its exterior to distinguish it from the all-residential south tower, nicknamed Heron. Separated from Pagoda by 70 feet, Heron would house 32 stories of condos.  Each sleek, angular tower would be topped by a V-shaped roof over a 50-foot-high combined open-air arboretum, roof garden and enclosed recreation space. Photovoltaic cells and microturbines would generate about 7 percent of the building’s electricity, and cisterns collecting rain would partly offset water use.

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.

Seventh @ Westlake

Status: Postponed
Neighborhood: Downtown

CONDOS FOR SALE

Here you can find all active listings at Seventh @ Westlake. 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 Seventh @ Westlake condos for sale as soon as they hit the market. Membership also includes a monthly review of all activity for this building.

DESCRIPTION

Seventh @ Westlake will feature over 250,000 square feet of Class A+ office and retail space combined with approximately 200 luxury residential units. At over 32 stories tall and set back from other downtown high-rise office buildings, Seventh @ Westlake’s elegant architectural design will prominently grace the Seattle skyline and offer panoramic views of Elliott Bay, the Olympic mountains, the Seattle skyline, Lake Union and the Cascade 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.

AVA

Status: Postponed
Neighborhood: Downtown

CONDOS FOR SALE

Here you can find all active listings at AVA. 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 AVA condos for sale as soon as they hit the market. Membership also includes a monthly review of all activity for this building.

DESCRIPTION

Where the cosmopolitan energy of the city meets the serene sanctuary of the home – proving that opposites do indeed attract.  Explore downtown’s dynamic collection of upscale boutiques, fine dining and entertainment venues – recharge with peaceful residential spaces and exclusive hotel amenities.  Life at AVA, Seattle’s newest contemporary high-rise residences and estates above an intimate luxury hotel, is that of high design and enduring elegance.  It’s ZEN living in the ZING of downtown.

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.

1915 Second – 1915 2nd Ave., Seattle, WA 98101

Status: Proposed: 2011
Neighborhood: Downtown

CONDOS FOR SALE

Here you can find all active listings at 1915 Second. 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 1915 Second condos for sale as soon as they hit the market. Membership also includes a monthly review of all activity for this building.

DESCRIPTION

Located near the Pike Place Market and crowned by a 35-foot Western Red Cedar, 1915 Second Avenue will have a distinctively Seattle appearance. An elegant, chiseled, faceted and layered façade of metal, glass and masonry emphasize the tower’s vertical elements and slenderize the tower. Retail spaces and a residential lobby will front Second Avenue, and the building will include amenity spaces for the residents. A variety of home sizes and price points are planned to accommodate a range of homeowners.

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.

2015 Second – 2015 2nd Ave., Seattle, WA 98101

Status: Proposed: 2010
Neighborhood: Downtown

CONDOS FOR SALE

Here you can find all active listings at 2015 Second. 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 2015 Second condos for sale as soon as they hit the market. Membership also includes a monthly review of all activity for this building.

DESCRIPTION

2015 Second Avenue will reside on the northwestern block at the intersection of 2nd and Virginia. Currently a parking lot, the proposed high-rise will be situated south of the Cristalla, and east of One Pacific Tower. Plans also show that the building will take full advantage of the city’s revised restrictions on height with 39 stories, and toping off at 400′ with an additional 40′ of rooftop screening.

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.

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