Open House: Grandview, #1007 – Sunday, Nov 13th

Grandview ~ 2201 3rd Ave  ~ Unit # 1007

$215,000

MLS# 209266

Sunday, November 13, 2011 ~ Open from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Your Host is James Stroupe

206.910.5000  ~  james@stroupe.com

Recently remodeled, this beautiful corner unit has fabulous views of the Seattle skyline. An abundance of light creates a warm home with hardwood floors.  The kitchen has stainless steel appliances plus a 30 bottle wine cooler. A Murphy bed makes the most of your space during the day, while allowing you to sleep by the stars at night.  The large south facing private deck hovers above the street to soak in the fresh air with beautiful city and sound views.

Grandview also offers great amenities including an indoor pool, spa/sauna, gym, outdoor terrace.  Parking and storage is inlcuded.  AND, your HODs include electric, water, sewer.

Check out Grandview’s Walk Score® of 98 and a perfect Transit Score™ of 100  link here to see all of the restaurants, arts, bakeries, boutiques, coffee shops and so much more that this great neighborhood provides.

Grand Location.  Grand Amenities.  Grandview.  You owe it to yourself to check this out!  We look forward to seeing you on Sunday.  If you can’t make it this weekend but would like to schedule a private tour, just contact us at the phone number or email address above, or drop us a line here at urgent@stroupe.com.

Open House: Klee Lofts, Unit 5004 – Sunday, Oct 16th

Klee Lofts ~ 2717 Western Avenue ~ Unit # 5004

$259,000

MLS# 192306

Sunday, October 16, 2011 ~ Open from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Your Host is Julie Roh

206.354.1030  ~  julie@stroupe.com

Welcome to your incredibly spacious, open one bedroom one bath loft, with a middle-of-everything location plus a very sweet list of amenities! 

The large kitchen and living room areas are great for hosting anything from an intimate dinner to a Halloween party.  Your living room doors open onto a large, private balcony with a bustling waterfront view and Elliott  Bay on the horizon… a nice way to start your day with a cup of coffee, or end it with a glass of wine.

The Klee’s main common rooms have numerous original works of art by Northwest artists, the most prominent of which is a series of glass waterfalls by Nancy Mee in the entry lobby.  Its beautifully-designed community center leads onto a lovely courtyard where you can relax among its garden setting. 

Other amenities include an on-site manager, media room, fitness center, a 24-hour computer room with internet, fax and printer, plus a club room with adjoining deck.  Have a friend or relative staying in town?  Check them into the Klee’s guest suite!

It’s not often that a place comes in at a Walk Score® of 100 and a Transit Score™ of 97, but you get that with  The Klee!  Leave your cares (and your car) behind as you stroll to a favorite restaurant.  Dining in?  Pick up fresh fish and produce at Pike Place Market.

And shopping?  This Walk Score® link is loaded with stores and services that the area has to offer.  If you like to commune with culture and nature, your neighboring landmarks are the Olympic Sculpture Park and the Waterfront.  Or, grab a bus for a quick hop to Queen Anne or Downtown.  Simply put, much of  the best that Seattle has to offer is steps away from your front door!

Find your sense of place in one of Belltown’s most exciting condominium communities, a place just as unique as its namesake. Come visit us at the wonderful  Klee Lofts and Suites on Sunday.  If you’re unable to attend but would like to schedule a private tour on your own schedule, just call or email us at the contact information above, or drop us a line at urgent@stroupe.com.

Open House: Montreux, Unit 608 – Sunday, April 17th

Montreux  ~ 425 Vine Street ~ Unit # 608

$199,000

MLS# 197175

Sunday, April 17th, 2011 ~ Open from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.

Your Host is Julie Roh

206.354.1030  ~  julie@stroupe.com

A bright one bedroom, one bath corner unit with a lovely outlook. This was THE original model home for the building, and comes complete with two deeded parking spaces!  Well-designed kitchen with bistro bar, private deck, in-unit washer and dryer, plus storage.

This unique European-flavored building is on the more intimate side of condominium living.  Only seven stories high, the Montreux focuses on quality, not quantity.  Their list of amenities holds up against any high-rise building.  You  get a secured entry, on-site manager, gym, business center and a club room.  Use the gas BBQ on the rooftop deck while taking in amazingly airy cosmopolitan views.

The Montreux has a Walk Score of 97 out of 100, and is perfectly located near Seattle Center and the Space Needle, restaurants, public transit and the best of Belltown. McGraw Square Park and Westlake Center are minutes away as well.  Need a little savoir-flair in your life?  Come see us on Sunday!  If you can’t make it, don’t worry.  Just drop us a line at urgent@sroupe.com to set up a private showing.

Open House: Klee, Unit 634 – Sunday, April 3rd

Klee Lofts ~ 2717 Western Avenue ~ Unit # 634

$299,999

MLS# 169533

Sunday, April 3rd, 2011 ~ Open from 12 noon  to 2 p.m.

Your Host is James Stroupe

206.910.5000  ~  james@stroupe.com

And now we’re into April.  It’s a time of new beginnings… and time for you to look at this beautiful large, top floor one bedroom, one bath home!  Its spacious kitchen is great for creating everthing from intimate dinners to holiday galas.  It also has a large den which can easily be turned into a home office, study, or an entertainment area.  The den can even be converted into a second bedroom!  Or, if you prefer, book the Klee’s Guest Suite for visitors instead.  Want more?  Here you go:  it also comes with adjoining storage, plus a great parking space — no car neighbor!  The deck is double-sized and private, with a southwest view of the Waterfront and Elliott Bay.

The Klee’s main common rooms contain numerous original works of art by Northwest artists, the most prominent being a series of glass waterfalls by Nancy Mee in the entry lobby.  In the center of the Klee community is a courtyard, where you can cook steaks on the grill or simply relax among the garden setting.  Other amenities include an on-site manager, media room, fitness center, a 24-hour computer room with internet, fax and printer, plus a club room with adjoining deck. 

AND, you can leave your car in that spiffy parking space of yours, then stroll  to restaurants or shopping on Western Avenue, the Waterfront or First Avenue.  Pick up fresh produce and fish from Pike Place Market, steps away.  Seattle Art Museum’s Sculpture Park is one block north.  No car?  Rejoice, all you pedestrians… the Klee scores a perfect 100 on walkscore.com!

Simply put, some of the best that Belltown has to offer is right outside your front door.  Come visit us at the marvelous Klee Lofts and Suites on Sunday.  If you’re unable to attend but would like to schedule a private showing, just drop us a line at urgent@stroupe.com.

Alex? No. Volta? No. Foreclosed? Well…

Suppose you gave an auction and nobody came?  That was about the size of it when, after no bidders came forward to buy the troubled Volta property on March 18th, East West Bank went ahead and foreclosed. 

The saga of 2233 First Avenue began with development of a project called Alex in the fall of 2007, owned by an LLC headed by Saltaire Construction.  Located at the prime Belltown location of First Avenue and Bell, this boutique project was mapped out for eight stories plus a penthouse level.  There would be 20 floorplans to choose from, units from 600 – 1,200 sq ft, upscale features, a rooftop lap pool, priced between $500,000 and $2 million. A loan was made through Washington First International Bank for $12 million.  Alex was scheduled to open in the fall of 2008– when, in its first streak of bad luck, the economic roof caved in.

Fast forward to March 2010. Construction nearly finished, it was decided to give the Alex a second chance at life by  repackaging it under the name of Volta.  Why Volta?  We checked wikipedia.org to see if there was a meaning beyond the name of a river in Ghana.  Sure enough, listed was an Italian physicist named Alessandro Volta, whose claim to fame is inventing the electric battery.  “Alessandro” paid homage to the original building name, and its location on Bell Street was one block away from… Battery Street.  There you go. It was also repriced from $299,950 to $1,095,950 (for a penthouse shell), and amenities changed to a rooftop deck, dog run area and green space. 

Things were looking up when three months later, bad luck struck again!  The project was blindsided with a bank closure on  Washington First International Bank that June.  East West Bank, located in Pasadena, California, became the new lender.  Finally, on January 20th, 2011, East West announced that at $1.48 million in arrears plus interest and fees (on a second WFIB loan of $1.4 million), the Volta was headed for auction.

That brings us to today… where we discover that the luck at this address may finally be changing.  2233 First Avenue was appraised at nearly $5 million by King County, and its location in the heart of Belltown offers amazing views of Elliott Bay, Mt Rainier and downtown.  In reality, this property is pretty hot at the moment– we’ve heard that up to 35 buyers are very interested in it!  East West is most likely biding its time a bit longer before settling on a buyer who will allow them to bleed the least on their balance sheet.  Not so lucky was WF Capital Inc., which provided a $3.75 million loan in late 2008.  There were also a number of construction liens on this still-unfinished project, and some lawsuits are still pending.  It may be some time before the property shakes free from the ashes, and rises once and for all.  However, we’re betting it will do just that.

We’ll be watching this one carefully, and will keep you posted on any developments.

Gallery Condominiums – Looking Back, and Ahead

The story began on March 4th, 2011, the day before 24 units of Gallery Condominiums were scheduled to go up for auction—with a press release announcing there was now NO auction!  An eleventh-hour decision by Gallery Condominium, LLC and auction coordinator Accelerated Marketing Partners radically shifted the March 5th  auction at the Grand Hyatt to a non-compete buy on a first come, first serve basis at the Gallery itself.  

There’s much to speculate about the sudden format change.  Adding to the confusion was the press release itself.  It stated that the Sales Event would only be opened to potential buyers who officially registered during the auction campaign.  Later, we were told that the public could preview the homes that Saturday morning, then sign up at the Gallery Sales Information Center for the afternoon sale. 

A number of price incentives were in place, but tighter credit requirements and expensive conventional financing slowed the purchase process.  Buyers needed more time to obtain financing pre-approvals, and were allowed seven days to finalize their purchase.  Of the 24 homes offered that day, only eight were sold. 

The Sales Event may have been a little too much and way too late–  but the Gallery story may still have a happy ending.  We checked with management and a week later, sales are running on a positive note.  Three more homes have sold since the March 5th event, with three offers pending.  There are a total of  29 units open, building occupancy is now at 87%.

And, we still feel that the Gallery is a great property for a first-time buyer, a professional or an empty-nester.  Situated at 2911 Second Ave (at Broad St), Gallery captures Space Needle views to the east, and Elliott Bay panoramas to the west. Its crossroads location allows you to easily zip up to Queen Anne, out to Ballard or South Lake Union, or into Downtown Seattle.  No car?  Their WalkScore is ranked 92 out of a possible 100.

Floorplans offer maximum use of space. Interiors include European-styled kitchens with custom cabinetry, slab granite or microcrystal countertops and premium stainless steel appliances; floor to ceiling windows; hardwood floors; and generous balconies.  Amenities include a full-service concierge, two-story lobby, Owners Lounge, plus an exclusive Supper Club and Sky Lounge to accommodate your special events.

The Gallery is back to traditional sales methods, with prices 10%-15% lower from the most previous listings. Open one bedrooms range from $225,000 to $315,000. A two bedroom, two bath is going for $459,000. Homes are available on all sides of the building—three with water views, others with great views of the Cascades and Downtown.  There is also special pricing for homes located on the lower  levels. 

Check out our Gallery website, GalleryinBelltown.com for more information. If you would like to schedule a private tour, just drop us a line at urgent@stroupe.com.

Seattle Heights: What Could be Coming to Your Backyard

SEATTLE HEIGHTS RESIDENTS, TAKE NOTE!  We came across a news item about the 2625 Third Avenue project which should be of great interest to you. 

Originally, the current site of the American Lung Association was slated to make way for a 18-story building with 204 residential units above 4,000 sq ft of retail space.  Now, however, the developers are petitioning to increase the height to 26 stories, with 310 residential units instead.  Retail size would stay the same, with parking for 160 vehicles in five below-grade levels.

To the left is the Preliminary Design, and we have also attached the current zone map and zoning context maps at the bottom of this article.

If you would like to make your voice heard on the changes in this project, especially those Seattle Heights residents whose views may be impacted, you can attend a Seattle design review board meeting on Tuesday, February 22^nd at Seattle City Hall, 601 Fifth Ave, Room L-280 at 5:30 p.m.  

Check out the February 22^nd section of this meeting link for more information. Click on the Design Proposal area to download the 33-page presentation to be made on Tuesday evening.  The contact for this project is Sean Sullivan at (206) 624-8154, and the planner is Michael Dorcy at (206) 615-1393.

Open House – Sunday, February 13th

8309 24th Ave (Ballard), Seattle

4 Bedroom, 2 Bath

MLS #  173321

$465,000

Sunday, February 13th, 2011

Open from 1 to 4 p.m.

Your Host is  Julie Roh

206.354.1030  ~  julie@stroupe.com

Just in time for Valentine’s Day… a sweetheart of a home!  Nestled in a great Ballard neighborhood, this 4 bedroom home weds 1940’s romance to modern updates.  The earmarks of this home are found in the living and dining rooms with beautiful hardwood floors, crown molding, wainscoting and cozy fireplace.

The gracious kitchen features tiled countertops & oak cabinets.  The  finished basement is a perfect family room and the back yard is fully fenced.  A new energy-efficient furnace completes the package.  This home is a classic American dream. Come see for yourself!

 

Klee Lofts ~ 2717 Western Avenue ~ Unit # 634

$299,999

MLS# 169533

Sunday, February 13th, 2011

Open from 1 to 4 p.m.

Your Host is  Jim Stroupe

206.354.1030 ~ james@stroupe.com

Large top floor unit with bright south facing double-sized private deck. This one bedroom unit has a large den – easily used as a second bedroom or entertainment area. Unit comes with storage next to unit, and a great parking space — no car neighbor!   View romantic sunsets over Elliott Bay from the deck of this special place!

The marvelous Klee Lofts also features an on-site manager, media center, fitness center, and a club room with an adjoining deck.  Located in vibrant Belltown, only steps from shopping, restaurants, Pike Place Market, the Waterfront, and Olympic Sculpture Park.  Come see us on Sunday!

Gallery Condominiums – Pricing and Auction Info

The final closeout of Gallery Condominiums’ new home inventory goes under the hammer on Saturday, March 5, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. at the Grand Hyatt Seattle, located at 721 Pine Street downtown.  This is an amazing opportunity for any type of buyer, because starting prices for these homes have been slashed from 40 to 54 percent!  Below is the price list so you can see what we mean, sorted by square feet, then unit number.  

 

Gallery’s location at 2^nd Avenue & Broad Street ranks a 92 on the 100-point WalkScore meter (more on that in a minute).  Its views include Seattle icons such as the Space Needle, Elliott Bay and the downtown skyline. Driving around is easy when you’re at the crossroads of easy commutes to Queen Anne, Ballard, South Lake Union, downtown and beyond!

Gallery Condominiums provide customized floor plans offering maximum use of space. Check out their European-styled kitchens with custom cabinetry, slab granite or microcrystal countertops, plus premium stainless steel appliances.  There’s plenty of light with floor to ceiling windows in each unit.  Beautiful hardwood floors plus generous balconies with prime views provide finishing touches on a special place to call home! 

Amenities include a full-service concierge staff, a two-story lobby, Owners Lounge, two Guest Suites, a Fitness/Yoga room plus an exclusive Supper Club and Sky Lounge.  From intimate dinners to large groups, Gallery can easily accommodate any event you host!

Our own Gallery website, GalleryinBelltown.com, provides a short virtual tour and an amenities slideshow.  It also provides WalkScore information plus neighborhood details including restaurants, shops and local attractions. Bidders have to be pre-registered, so click on our “AUCTION!” link so we can get in touch with you. 

As your auction resource, we’re with you from beginning to end.  We’ll start by discussing the auction process plus financing options, take you on a private tour of the units, formulate an auction strategy, and be at your side during the bidding and closing. Check out our site above, or just get in touch with us by clicking this Stroupe Group link.

Open House: Sunday, January 30th

We wrap up the month with three Open House events this Sunday. Check them out! 

8309 24th Ave (Ballard), Seattle

4 Bedroom, 2 Bath

MLS #  173321

$465,000

Sunday, January 30th, 2011

Open from 1 to 4 p.m.

Your Host is:  Jim Stroupe

206.910-5000  ~  james@stroupe.com

Nestled in a great Ballard neighborhood, this lovely 4-bedroom and 2-bath home may boast 1940’s charm, but it’s loaded with modern-day updates. 

The corner kitchen features tiled countertops & oak cabinets. Take in the living room and dining rooms with their beautiful hardwood floors, crown molding, wainscoting, plus a cozy fireplace. 

A fully finished basement is a perfect family room.   The backyard is fully fenced, great for kids or pets.   Stop in and see us! 

 

Bolero ~ 1323 Boren Avenue ~ Unit # 410

2 Bedroom, 2 Bath

MLS# 170232

$305,000

 

Sunday, January 30th, 2011

Open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Your Host is:  Julie Roh

 206.354.1030  ~  julie@stroupe.com

This bright and spacious corner unit offers granite kitchen counter tops and bistro bar, in-unit W/D, lots of storage and private deck. Two secure parking spaces!  HOD Bonus– internet included!  Homeowners can enjoy the use of the rooftop terrace with its breathtaking views, along with a formal lobby, fitness center, and community room. Minutes to downtown, I-5, Broadway, medical centers, shopping and restaurants.  A must-see!

 

 

Klee Lofts ~ 2717 Western Avenue ~ Unit # 634

1 Bedroom + Den, 1 Bath

MLS# 169533

$299,999

 

Sunday, January 30th, 2011

 Open from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Your Host is:  Julie Roh

 206.354.1030  ~  julie@stroupe.com

Beautiful top floor unit with an extra large den that can easily be used as a second bedroom or entertainment area. Additional features include south facing double-sized private deck, providing plenty of natural light. There is a storage unit next door in the hall. 

Klee Lofts provides an on-site manager, secure parking, media center, gym and a club room with an adjoining deck.  Your new home is located in vibrant Belltown and steps from neighborhood shopping, restaurants, Pike Place Market, the Waterfront, & Olympic Sculpture Park.  See you on Sunday!

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