Nov 17th

First Hill Plaza Penthouse: 32nd Floor, 6918 SF, offered at $6.7M!

Categories: Condominiums, First Hill, Luxury Properties For Sale, Market Update, Real Estate News

This morning, I had the opportunity of touring this unique 32nd floor, 4 bedroom/5.5 bathroom home at 1301 Spring Street.  With nearly 7,000 square feet and breathtaking 360 degree views spanning from the Cascades, downtown Bellevue, Lake Washington and Mt. Rainier, to the stadiums, Puget Sound, downtown Seattle, the Olympics and Space Needle- this estate in the sky towers above the city and offers a perspective that can only be properly interpreted in person…I have never seen anything like it!  Built in 1982, immaculately preserved and true to the era’s flamboyant tendencies, a few of the highlights were the full sized sauna, mirrored/marble master bath (mirrored ceiling and all!) AND my personal favorite…a built-in lounge/bar located on the NW corner of the home complete with a sunken bar surrounded by comfy custom chairs and plush couches.  Listing Broker- Foster Realty / MLS#274476

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Oct 7th

Madison Tower Penthouse/Hotel 1000: PENDING INSPECTION- Highest price per square foot sale of the year!

Categories: Downtown, Four Seasons, Luxury Properties For Sale, Madison Tower, Market Update, Real Estate News

As of 10/3/11, the Madison Tower/Hotel 1000 Penthouse entered mutual acceptance and is set for closing in early November!

Should the 3bd/2.5ba, 3010 SF home close as expected, the sale will be the highest price per square foot since the October 2010 sale of Four Seasons #2000 at $1,191.66 psf.  More details to follow, click here to see the current listing!

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Oct 5th

Coming 2012! The Sanctuary: a century-old church converted into 12 premier homes

Categories: Capitol Hill, Condo Conversions, Condominiums, First Church, Luxury Properties For Sale, New Construction, Real Estate News, Townhouses

Coming early 2012, The Sanctuary (1519 E Denny- Capitol Hill) will reenter the sales market!  There have been a couple units reserved for a first right or refusal and all construction will be completed by December this year.   The unique floorplans and more photos can be viewed on The Sanctuary website, click here for more details!

Just released:

RECEIVER APPOINTS CONSTRUCTION/DESIGN TEAM TO COMPLETE THE SANCTUARY BY DECEMBER, 2011
Additional Project Improvements will Optimize Market Value; Several Unit Reservations Pending

(October 5, 2011) SEATTLE, WA – Resource Transition Consultants (“RTC”), the court-appointed
receiver for the lender of The Sanctuary, has announced the appointment of a design and construction
team – led by Seattle-based general contractor Belfor Property Restoration – to complete the 12-home
development by December, 2011.  The project is expected to reenter the marketplace for sale in January,
2012.

“We’ve assembled a world-class development team to complete the vision of The Sanctuary – a century-
old church in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood that was converted into a premier multifamily
community – and we look forward to successfully reintroducing the project for sale in the New Year,”
said Rob Nall, Principal of RTC.

In addition to RTC, project lender Pathfinder Partners, LLC and Belfor, The Sanctuary development
team now includes:

- Architect – Runberg & Associates
- Construction Representative –The Justen Company
- Interior Designer – Robin Chell Design
- Marketing and Sales – Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty

“Construction is well underway and includes many design improvements recommended by brokers and
prospective homebuyers,” said Nall. “We’re retooling the homes for today’s market – resetting prices
while adding value to the finished product.”

According to Marty Goodman, principal of The Justen Company, the project scope now includes  new
clear and operable window systems to complement the historic stained  glass in several units; elevator
options; acoustical attenuation; refurbishing the central atrium; and restoration work on the historic
exterior. In addition to warranties offered by manufacturers of installed systems and appliances,
homeowners will benefit from a third party home warranty program that will be included with each sale.

“We’re fortunate that RTC and Pathfinder are investing substantial resources to reach the full potential
of this extraordinary development,” said Goodman.

Belfor Property Restoration, a division of Belfor Construction, is tasked with completing the
construction of the 12 concrete and steel townhomes and restoring the historic façade of the original
building.

“The homes are new construction with state-of-the-art building systems, designer finishes and premium
fixtures and appliances throughout,” says Ross Minshull, site supervisor for Belfor, which has developed
dozens of high-rise properties and restored a number of historic buildings.  “At The Sanctuary, we’re
building high-rise quality within a historic landmark – it’s the best of old and new.”

One of the most striking attributes of The Sanctuary is the central atrium, an expansive interior common
area with 38-foot-high ceilings and a breathtaking stained-glass dome.  Seattle-based Robin Chell
Design is converting the atrium into a residential amenity that draws on the building’s history and
architecture and provides a central hub for residents and guests alike.

“This project is matchless in concept, design characteristics, historical significance and overall quality of
construction – especially at this price point,” said Chell, who will also design some of the project’s
model homes. “Such a hybrid of rich, nostalgic features and modern design elements make this
community unique in the Northwest, if not in the country.”

Although the official listings for sale are still several months away, Nall says two unit reservations have
already been accepted with more expected in the coming weeks.  Unit reservations provide prospective
homebuyers with a first right of opportunity to purchase a particular home when it’s offered for sale.

“Every home is distinctive with unique floor plans and features so brokers and homebuyers are vying for
the best possible selection,” said Nall.

Additional information on The Sanctuary can be found at www.LiveatSanctuary.com.

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Aug 26th

Olive 8 Auction- September 19th 2010, 34 Homes starting at $160k!

Categories: Auction, Downtown, Luxury Properties For Sale, New Construction, Occupancy 2010, Olive8, Real Estate News

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Apr 11th

Escala Update- Things are looking up!

Categories: Escala, Featured Properties, Luxury Properties For Sale, Midtown, New Construction, Real Estate News

I toured the building yesterday with some clients and was amazed to hear that they are looking at 40+ closings this month! From the sound of things, the reduced pricing has attracted a lot of buyers…even several who are willing to pay all cash.

Securing financing has been a major issue in the past but now the new preferred lender, Met Life, is set to close on 5+ units in the next week and the building will be FHA approved in approximately three weeks.

We looked at 1 bedrooms (SW & NW “A” floorplan and E & W “B” floorplan) yesterday priced under $550k.  The units that they have on the 14th floor seem to be the best value at around $499-$513k with views of the Space Needle, Lake Union, Sound and City.  Out of all the floorplans, I am most partial to #1406…I think the 4th Ave corridor view is gorgeous (and is considered “protected” as the building to the south is secured on a 100 year lease).  Click here to visit the Escala website to view floorplans.

Something else I learned- they are not officially selling additional parking spots…although the developer may reconsider this as the commercial spaces lease.

If you are interested in purchasing, don’t wait!  Get down to the building and check it out…if you are planning on visiting during the week, don’t forget to make an appointment, otherwise, Saturday and Sunday are open for walk-ins.

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Mar 26th

Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty Project Updates

Categories: Ballard, Capitol Hill, Featured Properties, First Hill, Greenlake, Luxury Properties For Sale, Market District, Market Update, New Construction, Real Estate News

Just in!

MARKET DISTRICT – Fifteen Twenty-One Second Avenue

-  William Justen hosted an agent seminar on Tuesday, March 23 and presented “The Value of View” (Click here for more details)
-  New video building tour online (Click here to view)
-  New interviews with William Justen (Click here to view)
-  New interviews with Tom Parsons (Click here to view)
-  In celebration of recent LEED “Silver” certification, all new home sales before April 30, 2010 will include a Smart ForTwo vehicle (Click here for more details)
-  Introduced a new 4,400-sq. ft., three bedroom plus den floor plan offered at $7.25 million (combines a C & J plan for half of the 34th floor) (Click here to view)
-  Open house this weekend (Noon – 4pm)
-  Homes start at $1.1 million
-  Now more than two-thirds sold and occupied 

FIRST HILL – The Decatur

-  Offering “Double the Tax Credits” up to $16,000 (select homes) for sales before April 30
-  Up to 35% off original list prices
-  Home start at $184,950 or just $859 per month (see agent for details)
-  FHA approved –just 3.5% down payment!
-  Phase II sales release happening now
-  New video building tour online (Click here to view)
-  Now more than two-thirds sold and occupied 

CAPITOL HILL – Eleven Eleven East Pike

-  Up to 25% off original list prices
-  FHA approved –just 3.5% down payment!
-  Home start at $244,950 or just $1,127 per month
-  Full sales release now available 
-  New video building tour online (Click here to view)
-  Now 50% sold – only 13 homes remain! 

BALLARD – Hjarta

-  Bulk Sales Event – March 27 & 28 (Noon – 5pm)
-  Up to 35% off original list prices
-  Home start at $274,950 or just $1,154 per month
-  FHA approved –just 3.5% down payment!
-  Phase one sales release  

GREENLAKE – Florera

-  Bulk Sales Event – March 27 & 28 (Noon – 5pm)
-  Up to 35% off original list prices
-  Home start at $244,950 or just $1,028 per month
-  FHA approved –just 3.5% down payment!
-  Phase one sales release

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Mar 4th

Escala #706 P&S SIGNED & Set to Close 3/15!!

Categories: Escala, Luxury Properties For Sale, Midtown, New Construction, Real Estate News

Finally…and patience is truly a virtue.  The tremors started back in October (when we were hoping to close the first week of January) and I have to say now, my clients have been through it all! 

The dust has settled and it seems the larger majority of the kinks have been worked out…just looking forward to a successful close and the epic outcome of all the hype the new pricing has created.  More details to follow!

Just an FYI- the individual wine cellars in the wine cave will be managed and leased by the HOA.  Cellar capacity ranges from 18-30 bottles and will lease anywhere from $225 to $300 per year- renewed annually.

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Mar 2nd

More Press! PSBJ: Escala cutting condo prices by 50 percent!

Categories: Condominiums, Escala, Featured Properties, Luxury Properties For Sale, Midtown, New Construction, Real Estate News

Escala cutting condo prices by 50 percent
Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle) – by Kirsten Grind

Downtown Seattle condominium tower Escala will lower prices by as much as 50 percent on unsold units, the luxury building’s new marketing firm said Tuesday.

Rennie Marketing Systems and the building’s listing agent, Bellevue-based Teambuilder, declined to release price cuts on each unit, but said savings will range from 20 percent to 50 percent.

A 1,878-square-foot penthouse once priced at more than $4 million will now sell for $2.3 million, said Erik Mehr, a sales manager at Teambuilder. The building’s top-priced unit — a $12 million penthouse — is now selling for just under $7 million.

A one-bedroom, 952-square-foot condo will start at $384,000, a two-bedroom, 1,607-square-foot condo will start at $699,000 and a three-bedroom, 2,442-square-foot condo will start at $1.6 million.

Click here to read more!

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Feb 28th

1521 2nd Ave Offers Smart Car w/Each New Home Closed in March!

Categories: Condominiums, Fifteen Twenty-One, Luxury Properties For Sale, Market District, New Construction, Real Estate News

OPUS Northwest and the Fifteen Twenty-One Second Avenue development team are excited to announce their LEED “Silver” Certification. In celebration of this milestone we have partnered with Smart Center Seattle to offer a Smart Car “fortwo” with each new home closed between March 1st and May 31st 2010. Both the Smart “fortwo” and our model homes will be on display this weekend. Click here for more information!

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Feb 26th

ESCALA UPDATE! Just in…

Categories: Escala, Featured Properties, Luxury Properties For Sale, Midtown, New Construction, Real Estate News

I just received this notice from Escala!! Sales Center opens on 3/27/10…more details to follow!

Dear Ashley,

As a valued registrant, we would like to share with you details of the important changes happening at Escala Seattle. First and foremost, our pricing has been dramatically reduced. Below is a list of starting prices for our One, Two and Three Bedroom Homes.

1 BEDROOM, 1.5 BATH, 952sf Homes starting at:  $384,000
2 BEDROOM, 2 BATH, 1607sf Homes starting at: $699,000
3 BEDROOM, 2.5 BATH, 2442sf Homes staring at:  $1,574,000

In addition, we have taken a sustainable business approach to homeowner fees and services. The concept of Club Cielo, a five-star, 30,000sf club facility with outside membership, will now be available to Escala residents only. This decision has greatly reduced homeowner fees. All the while maintaining an unbelievable level of service and a greater level of security.

What does this mean to you? In place of a fully-staffed Bar, Restaurant and Spa we are moving to a User-Pay system. Whether you’re planning a private party for your 40+ guests, want to schedule a fitness trainer or masseuse on Thursday or simply want to book the screening room – all can be arranged through the concierge and Columbia Hospitality. Where costs are involved, those fees will bill directly to you instead of burdening the entire Home Owners Association. The fitness facility, resistance pools and changing rooms are always available.

There are many things that have not changed at Escala. These include access to an extensive amenity package, spacious homes with the largest decks of any downtown development and classic Seattle views. Combine all of that with Absolute-Value pricing and there is no other building like Escala in downtown Seattle.

Our sales office opens to the public on March 27th, 2010. As an early registrant, we’d like to get you in prior to the March 27th date. Call 206.816.6300 to schedule an appointment with one of our new sales professionals.

See you soon!

The Escala Seattle Team
1920 Fourth Avenue
Seattle WA  98101

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