What typically is governed by individual condominium associations, has now become a public affair and the city is now getting involved in banning the use of condominiums as short-term rentals.

The Department of Planning and Development has interpreted the land use code to mean that multifamily units in a high-rise residential zone, can’t be rented for less than 30 days because this would be considered a commercial use.

This all came about last year when the city took action against 16 owners of units at the Elektra (1400 Hubbell Place) for the code violation after several other homeowners had complained about seeing “strangers” in the building.  Check out SeattleSuite.com - looks like there are several still in the building and reviews are even surfacing on GoogleMaps!

As if 1 Hotel & Residences (2nd & Pine) doesn’t have enough to work through already, now the ruling could affect the future design of the building AGAIN as it was intended to be the city’s first condo-hotel allowing individual buyers to offer their suites as hotel rooms.

Click here to read more!

Here is the latest from Lacie Doman, the Marketing Manager of AVA Hotel & Residences:

PROJECT SCHEDULE
With our Master Use Permit now in hand, the AVA development team is in the final design and entitlement process. As we prepare to submit for the final building permits from the City of Seattle, we continue to work closely with our contractor to secure the best possible construction pricing for our future owners. We anticipate receiving final project costing and entitlements by the second quarter of 2009, and will be in position at that time to finalize the construction schedule and occupancy date.

PRIVATE PREVIEW APPOINTMENTS
Later this summer, private preview appointments will be available for all interested homebuyers to tour the sales center. You will be among the first to preview the contemporary and sophisticated design palettes which have been custom created for AVA as well as explore home décor options. The sales center is located at the corner of 8th Avenue and Olive Way, just one block away from the AVA site (open by appointment only).

PRIORITY RESERVATION OPPORTUNITY
New homebuyers will be invited to entertain a Priority Agreement, which provides a preferred opportunity to select from the new release of homes once they are officially released for sale next year. Priority Agreements are offered in exchange for a fully refundable deposit of $10,000 and are a convenient way to secure your purchase position with preferred selection and introductory prices.

Click here to read more on AVA Hotel & Residences!

What was to be the site of 1 Hotel & Residences will remain a desolate gaping hole on 2nd Ave and Pine until Starwood Capitol Group can secure a construction loan and proceed with a newly designed 23-story hotel-condo building. 

Not only has the construction been delayed for nearly a year now, but most recently Avalon Holdings, a Portland-based firm headed by Paul Brenneke, has sold their interest ($45 million) in the $250 million project.  Avalon will continue to develop the 18,800 square feet of retail space at street level of the Macy’s parking garage and it was announced that Columbia Sportswear Company is planning to operate two retail stores in the space as early as this fall.

Click here to read more!   

Kerry Sear, the owner and chef of Cascadia Restaurant in Belltown is selling the space where the restaurant is located (2328 First Ave- 1st between Bell and Battery) and transitioning to the Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences to become the executive chef of the hotel and director of food and beverage for the hotel and residences.

The restaurant is listed for $1.25 million but Sear is not interested in selling the name or menu.  Prior to owning and operating Cascadia, Sear spent 15 years working with Four Seasons in Vancouver B.C, Toronto and Seattle, and will continue to focus on Northwest cuisine with ingredients from local markets, ranchers and farmers.

Cascadia will remain open until the space sells so if you are looking forward to their awesome Happy Hour (mini-burgers, my fav) on a beautiful summer evening…you better not waste anytime!

In the most recent news, UrbanCondominiums.com shared their optimism in our thriving downtown market and projected that the downtown core will continue to top nationwide trends moving forward.

Agreeing with all they have to say, experts sited that with local job growth, limitations on sprawl, commuter traffic congestion and increasing gas prices makes the condominium lifestyle even more viable than ever before.  Click here to watch the May 5th interview!

Thanks for the heads up CosmoSeattle:

Sounds like tonight at 6pm, Kiro 7 will be investigating new Land Use laws in the Downtown/Denny Triangle neighborhoods…will be an interesting piece so don’t miss it!