Escala Pictures and Videos

Considering all the work the Escala team has done advertising their attempt to turn the project around, I must say i am quite disappointed. Staging a unit is imperative to give potential customers an idea… complete FAIL.

I LOVE the Escala concept but only a select handful can accept/like the 'Vegas look'. Otherwise keep it neutral like 1521… but i like the concept

Frankly, I'm not sure why everyone continues to mention 1521 Second when talking about the Escala – the two couldn't be any more different if they tried. One offers restrained and discreet luxury with consistent ultra-high end finishes in a building with air-protected rights and amazing views (that would be 1521) and the other offers a mix of 1 bedrooms to 3 bedrooms with various option packages from low to high and a lack of attention to detail, if not even tacky (Escala). If I were to pitch this against anything in Seattle, it would have to be Olive8 (although Olive8 is in far better taste, in my opinion).

We toured today and found the building to be “klassy” – yes that's with a “k.” Nothing is cohesive, and it made me almost nervous to stand in the public spaces due to the never-ending color palate and Liberace-meets-Elton John (circa 1968) lobby. A home should feel relaxing – not make one's blood pulse faster upon entering. We noticed the concrete work on the exterior of the building to be sub-standard and quite mis-matched (not well done at all). The half bath floor tile looks about as cheap as it gets (much like a McDonald's floor). There are no blinds in any of the units (automated or manual), the kitchen cabinets are not ceiling-to-floor, the wood floors look and feel inexpensive, and the interiors are aching for a complete overhaul. Many, if not most, of the surfaces in the units are reflective, when homes should have materials with matte or satin finishes. Ceiling heights were among the best in downtown, but only in the main living areas. Bathrooms and utilities suffered from very low ceilings. I did find the kitchens to be interesting (yes, I am one of the few) as they are made of high-quality Pedini cabinets and Gagganeau appliances on the higher levels (very VERY nice appliances). The “private” entrances off the elevator I found to be quite worthless and almost “gimmicky.” The outdoor spaces were very nice by Seattle downtown standards, but I noticed there is very little privacy when looking at the surrounding neighbors in the building both standing inside and outside. The gym and spa area were quite nice (if not one of the best in Seattle), but the red floor in the gym needs to be rethought. Views were very nice… for now, but the developer failed to buy protected air rights around it. Eventually, most views will go away with this building. Overall, I applaud them for dropping prices as the units simply aren't worth more than they're asking. I see this building as a real missed opportunity that could have been something truly special, but instead ended up paying homage to Seattle's origins of brothels and underground gambling (see Seattle's Underground tour).

Well I've been interested in escala for several years & continue to have some hope that it won't end up a bird sanctuary as in “Earth after Humans”. But every time I rekindle enough hope in my heart to visit there are more reasons to say it's for the birds. The last sales team was blatantly out of touch with reality much the way a stone age shaman danced around the fire chanting & casting spells;

“I see the MARKET… COMING BACK STRONG!!!”

But the current replacements of the stone age shamans are sitting around the fire staring into the distance, lost and bewildered, fumbling for their recipes & chants, can't find their keys, the right model… the west side versus the east side… 2 bedrooms or one bedrooms… dues at 50 cents or 80 cents, club or no club… I wish I was somewhere else.. please go away… It's my first day here… We're selling so fast I can't find the right floor…. “

And with 270 homes to sell one has to imagine there's an auctioneer in the wings waiting for the 30 or 40 sales that will be coerced from a market in it's last throes to be mutually accepted, closed and put to bed before the remaining condominiums are surrendered to the auction's guillotine. THERE ARE TOO MANY OF THEM LEFT…. There will always be too many left. 1521, the current Golden Child of the entire country, has 143 homes, and is fortunate to have 120 sales since 2005. How now brown cow will Escala, with 270 units, and an average price of $760,000 be sold out in the next five years.

Also offensive is the palpable sense they would rather I not bring my realtor in to help me negotiate the bizarre environment. “Oh, we can help you with that!!!” I thought realtors were supposed to collaborate. This particular gentleman is determined to see me give up my representation and make a commitment with him, who I simply don't feel I can trust.

I shall wait for another offer, proposition, price drop, auction, sales group. Until now the longer I wait the more interesting it has become.

MD, I would like your advice on a condo I plan to buy in the near future, I take it you are in the industry. How can I contact you?

Looks a pretty cool condo unit. Are all furniture in the video included in the total price?

I LOVE the Escala concept but only a select handful can accept/like the ‘Vegas look’.