Fifteen Twenty-One Second: How “Design Matters”

“Design Matters” is a new video series on the attributes of Fifteen Twenty-One Second Avenue, bearing testimony that the unique qualities of Fifteen Twenty-One have earned them their distinctive market niche, which has continuously held its value in spite of the current condominium market.

The six spokespersons representing different design attributes on the Design Matters series (note that the starred* names are also Fifteen Twenty-One homeowners) are:

1.0 – Architecture / Blaine Weber*, Architect and Principal of Weber Thompson Architects

2.0 – Interior Design / Susan Marinello, Interior Designer of Susan Marinello Interiors

3.0 – Amenities & Lifestyle / William Justen*, Project Visionary and Longtime Downtown Resident

4.0 – Development Practices / Tom Parsons, Developer and Senior Vice President of OPUS Group

5.0 – Community & HOA Operations / Amanda Ciliberto, Chef Concierge for Fifteen Twenty-One Second Avenue

6.0 – Mortgage Lending / Jeff Bell*, Preferred Lender and Partner with Cobalt Mortgage

The contributors cite numerous tangible and intangible attributes that set the project apart including: transformative “tall and slender” architecture; protected water views; all larger format homes averaging 1,988 sq. ft.; the first-of-its-kind “Glass Rooms” in the homes; a uniform “all penthouse” approach to design; a strong sense of community; and a sales focus towards principle residences helping to maintain established market pricing.   This has led to numerous awards and acknowledgments by industry judges at regional and national development competitions held by such organizations as NAIOP, Multifamily Executive Magazine, The Pacific Coast Builder’s Conference and The National Association of Homebuilders.

Right off of Pike Street, Fifteen Twenty-One is within easy walking distance to Pike Place Market, the Seattle Art Museum, plus a number of shops and restaurants in the best of Belltown.  Only 3 to 5 homes are located on each floor (143 units on 38 stories), ranging from 1,659 to 2,958 sq ft.   Their claims of being “The West Coast’s Most Successful High-Rise Condominium” are well-founded because they paid off their $176 million construction loan in the fall of 2010.

Fifteen Twenty-One also has a great list of amenities including a 24-hour concierge, security controls, conference space / digital boardroom, rooftop terraces with wide-open city, water and mountain views, a rooftop Sky Lounge, spa-worthy residential fitness center plus a yoga and Pilates studio, playrooms for kids and a convenient pet area.

With over 75% of its homes sold, public records confirm that Fifteen Twenty-One has closed more in-city condominiums valued above $1 million than all other new construction condominium developments in the city combined.   Some of this is attributed to overwhelming consumer preference to the matchless design characteristics, plus protected water views programmed several years ago. 

We at the Stroupe  Group are very proud that we have helped many buyers purchase homes at Fifteen Twenty-One Second Avenue, and they still express their satisfaction over their decision to buy.  We continue to be positive about this project, and firmly believe that this is one of the nicest condominium developments in Seattle.  Check out the Design Matters series for yourself, then send us an email at urgent@stroupe.com for more information or to schedule a private tour. 

Opus Northwest is Looking for a Buyer

Opus Northwest started more than $200 million in fee-based construction works in 2009 and has signed more than $175 million in third-party construction contracts this year.

Purchasing Opus Northwest would give the buyer a quick entry into several Northwest markets and potentially some real estate holdings and in-the-works projects. But the purchase could also entangle a potential investor or buyer in the ongoing legal disputes involving Opus Corp. and the Rauenhorst family.

Full Article

…and the “Best of the West” Award Goes to:

We are delighted to present to you a press release just sent to us by Nyhus Communications.  And, we’d like to add, Congratulations!  Well deserved!

Seattle’s Fifteen Twenty-One Second Avenue Earns Two Prestigious Awards in the “Best of the West” Development Competition
Pacific Coast Builders Conference Highlights Ongoing Success for the 440-foot Condominium High-Rise

SEATTLE – June 23, 2009 – Opus Northwest, today announced that its Fifteen Twenty-One Second Avenue condominium development in downtown Seattle received two honors at the 47th annual Gold Nugget Awards.  At the awards ceremony – the premier event at the Pacific Coast Builders Conference – Fifteen Twenty-One Second Avenue won the top award for “Outstanding Attached Project – High-Rise for Sale” and received an “award of merit” in the category of “Sustainable Residential Neighborhood – Attached Home.”  Another Opus project, Canvas LA, won an award of merit for “Residential Community of the Year – Attached.”

The Gold Nugget Awards program honors creative achievements in architectural design and land-use planning for residential, commercial and industrial projects.

“Relevance keeps the Gold Nugget Awards at the forefront of design/planning competitions, as our 2009 winners demonstrate,” said Judging Chairman Peter Mayer of Peter M. Mayer Productions.  “The Merits and Grand awards represent an amazing diversity of locales, projects and design and planning firms.  Gold Nugget winners share one common denominator: excellence and innovation in addressing complex design/build issues.”

During a three-day judging process, a panel of eight industry professionals from across the country selected Award of Merit honorees and Grand Award winners from a field of hundreds of entries representing 14 Western states and international high-rise markets as far away as China and Dubai.
Judges acknowledged a long list of design innovations at Fifteen Twenty-One Second Avenue, including:

• The first “tall and skinny” residential tower under a new zoning code (440 feet tall)
• Elimination of traditional terraces in favor of indoor/outdoor solariums
• Unobstructed views of Elliott Bay from almost every home (even those on the east side of the tower)
• Larger-format, two-bedroom homes averaging 1,950 square feet (twice the size of typical condos)
• The first luxury high-rise anticipated to achieve a “silver” LEED rating

All new concepts were exhaustively test-marketed during the tower’s design and were key differentiators leading to impressive sales statistics today.  The project was designed by Seattle-based architectural firm Weber Thompson and Opus Architects & Engineers is the architect of record.
“We’re very proud of both the design and our ongoing market success,” said Andy Taber, Senior Real Estate Director for Opus Northwest – Seattle, who accepted the awards on behalf of his development team. “These acknowledgments reinforce the civic role that developers play – to challenge convention and to listen to the marketplace when designing new communities.”

Taber says with an average purchase price of more than $1.9 million, homes at Fifteen Twenty-One Second Avenue are bucking the trend of a regional housing market slowdown, which is more acute in higher price ranges.  The project’s sellout pace since opening in January remains steady at one new home per week, bolstering its reputation as the most successful condominium on the West Coast.  The development, near Pike Place Market, was also noted for contributing half of the top 25 residential sales closed in King County in recent months.  To date, 81 of the 143 homes have closed with many more scheduled over the coming weeks and months.

Team 1521: From Start to Finish – Time Lapsed Video

In combination with the completion of Four Seasons, a hard hat tour for Olive 8 & Rollin Street, the last couple of weeks have been rather exciting for Seattle’s new construction.  Even better news is that they’ve all sold impressively well, and Fifteen Twenty-One is no exception.  Today, there’s only 8 currently available in the 143 unit high-rise.  Four Seasons has 10 remaining of their 36, and Olive 8 had reported they sold approximately 75% of their 231 available units when we toured about month ago.

The team that made it all possible is also one of the most experienced and reputable groups of professionals anyone could ask for.

Architecture

Blaine Weber/Weber Thompson Architects – Project architect and founding principle at Weber Thompson Architects, the award-winning firm has also designed the 5-star Hotel 1000/Madison Tower on 1st Avenue, the much anticipated AVA, and one of Seattle’s most cherished condominium high-rises The Cristalla (from which Mr. Weber had lived before 1521).

Interior

Susan Marinello Interiors – Another local based firm who has an impressive portfolio designing upscale residential, commercial, hospitality projects. .Susan has also trophied her work at the Four Seasons Private Residences, The Condominiums at One Lincoln Tower, and the Hyatt Regency.

Development

Opus/Samis Land Company – Opus (one of the top ten developers in the country) worked together with William Justen (managing director of Samis) who is one of the states largest commercial landowners and has made a significant impact on Seattle’s urban development.

Enjoy this 10-second time-lapsed video of 1521’s construction:

Fifteen Twenty-One – 1521 2nd Ave., Seattle, WA 98101

Address: 1521 2nd Ave., Seattle, WA 98101
Neighborhood: Downtown

CONDOS FOR SALE

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

DESCRIPTION

Designed by Weber + Thompson Architects, and developed by William Justen, 1521 is a 38-story luxury high-rise located on 2nd between Pike and Pine Street. Each floor is designed to only accommodate 3 to 5 homes ranging from 1,659 to 2,958 square feet with exclusive interiors designed by Susan Marinello. The building also boasts protected water views over Pike Place Market with floorplans designed to maximize view potential. In addition to achieving LEED Silver status, the project also features high technological, engineering, and space-planning standards. Amenities include a porte-cochere, rooftop terrace, fitness center, yoga/pilates studio and playroom for children. Original pricing started at $1 million to more than $9 million.

PICTURES

BUILDING DATA

• Year Built: 2009
• Number of Units: 143
• Number of Stories: 38
• Exterior: Cement/Concrete, Metal/Vinyl
• Parking: Common Garage
• Pets: Subj to Restrictions
• H/O Dues Included: Cable TV, Central Hot Water, Earthquake Ins., Garbage, Water/Sewer
• Common Property Features & Amenities: Cable TV, Children’s Playroom, Club House, Concierge, Disabled Access, Elevator, Exercise Room, Fire Sprinklers, Game/Rec Room, High Speed Internet Available, Lobby Entrance, Porte-Cochere, Security Gate

NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS

• Benaroya Music Hall
• Genghis Khan
• Green Room
• Happy Gifts
• Liberty Loans
• OK Grocery
• Only in Seattle
• Osaka Grill & Teriyaki
• Pike Place Market
• Showbox Theater
• Subway
• Tropical Deli
• Westlake Mall

VIEW NEIGHBORHOOD MAP

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.