urbnlivn, a seattle condo blog

Michael Klebeck is no longer associated with the Gun Club.

Rumor has it that someone associated with the War Room is looking at the space.

I’ve been really looking forward to a nice little local hang out opening up but I guess we’ll have to settle for a sales center for the foreseeable future.

Popularity: 16% [?]

You’d probably be surprised to find out how much effort it is to blog every other day and attend a handful events every few weeks. Sometimes I feel like I’m just talking to myself. Other times, I feel like you contribute much more than I do. Something I’d like to understand better is what you want to see more of and what you want to see less of. To do this I put together a quick 11 question survey to figure that out so I can spend my time more effectively on this “hobby”. I also ask a few demographic questions because I’ve been toying with the idea of advertising/sponsorship as a way to make it more appealing for me to spend hours a week on this :). (If you’d be interested in advertising, let me know.)

Take the survey now it should only take 3-5 minutes.

Thanks for your feedback!

Popularity: 16% [?]

Yesterday it was a question about courtyard living, today it’s about living above a retail space.

Any comments on buying a unit in the 2nd floor above the retail space at Trace North? I’m wondering whether the sound isolation will be good enough to sleep soundly even if the restaurant below the unit is open (although they will probably be closed at 10:00 anyway).

Popularity: 14% [?]

After picking up a some old gym lockers at The RE Store and taking care of some other Trace errands, my favorite girlfriend ever, Chels, (no she’s not making me write this) and I swung by Madison Lofts. I know I’m late to the party on visiting Madison Lofts but better late than never!

Here’s the info and price sheet. They’ve sold 6 units.

So what’d I like?

For the most part the lofts and big and spacious. Especially the corner units. They also have deck space like I’ve never seen before. Even the 1000 square foot lofts have patios overlooking the arboretum that I’d die for.

The units are pre-wired for electronically controlled window coverings.

The units come with window coverings.

Most units have laundry rooms instead of laundry closets.

A stainless kitchen cart.

So what didn’t I like? (I know you could care less about what I like…)

Well, for one, these are real full height lofts. What was somewhat surprising is that even the 1400 square foot lofts were all wide open. I couldn’t imagine buying a $1.2 million loft and be unable to host a guest for the night. But I guess if you could afford a million dollar loft then you can afford to pay for your guests to stay in a hotel.

Something I really didn’t like was the heater/air conditioner. Check out a few photos of it in action:

The quality of the floors varied. I’m really not a fan of engineered floors that flex as you walk by.

The fan looks dorky. Does no one make a nice lofty fan?

And what’s up with the creepy mannequin in one of the closets?

Pricing

As we were leaving another women checking out the lofts commented that she thought they were over priced and it was only a matter of time. She also commented on the awkwardness of having guests over. Someone else told me they were talking to the sales people who confirmed that the million dollar units were over priced and that they’d be open to below full price offers.

Popularity: 12% [?]

Capitol Hill Seattle hints that WG Clark has been fired from Brix and no longer on the site there (thanks to Rick for the tip, I’m clearly behind in reading my 1000+ Seattle neighborhood blogs.)

I confirmed with the folks at Brix that this is the case. Sounds like Schnitzer recognized that the project was running behind and decided to bring in two companies, Anderson and Charter, to finish the project. They hope that they’ll be able to maintain quality and increase efficiency with move-ins being delayed only a few months.

For anyone buying at Brix this is pretty unfortunate but its better that Schnitzer is taking quick decisive action rather than compromising either on quality or schedule to get the project done.

Popularity: 14% [?]

I got an email the other day from someone considering Brix:

I’m considering buying at Brix, and have a question about a comment you made in your post about the Brix hardhat tour (great post and pics, thank you!). You mentioned that you’d shy away from buying a
unit facing into the courtyard. Why is that? For someone who prefers a quieter view, I’d think it might be nice. What are your thoughts on this? I’m a little concerned that the Broadway-facing units could be really noisy, and that the courtyard-facing ones would be a respite from the hustle and bustle.

Now I’ve never lived in a courtyard facing unit but the reason I would shy away from it is I’d worry that it’d be too much like living in a fish bowl; everyone’s looking at you. Granted, facing the street people are looking at you too but you’ll be putting on an anonymous exhibition to the street passerby-ers rather than a less anonymous one to your neighbors.

If I were buying at Brix I’d check out the 10th Ave facing units. I think there you’ll get both quiet and “privacy”.

Could someone who has lived in an interior courtyard facing unit please share their thoughts?

Popularity: 13% [?]

I fell in love with a $7200 rug with half year shipping time from Kasala. I then shifted my attention to a $1600 one with only a quarter year shipping time, also from Kasala. Being an impatient person I then pursued cable rugs. I eyed the West Elm version until I found this Flickr photo:

We then went to Crate and Barrel where we spotted the Zia Shag Rug. However, the size I want, 8×10 is back ordered until August.

Argh!

Popularity: 13% [?]

Adam sent me an email about Edge Madison and had this to say:

The interior finishes are pretty snappy but the structures themselves are just plywood screwed to a frame and look like you could knock them over with a heavy pair of boots + they are offering a free smart car with a full price offer :)

What is Edge Madison? It’s a six unit townhouse development at 24th and Madison. They used plans purchased from Pb Elemental. The units feature:

• Bamboo floors, steel staircases
• Usual kitchen + appliances
• Caesarstone countertops
• Gas fireplace
• Dual-flush toilets
• Washer/dryer
• Private roof top decks

Prices range from $562,000 to $574,000. And that’s for 1314 to 1627 square feet.

Curious, I swung by the other day; sadly it was closed.

However, I did snap a few exterior photos:

And can confirm that the exterior is plywood with one coat of paint one it.

But hey, first one to sign a purchase and sale gets a free Smart Car!

To see more interior photos check out one of the listings on Redfin.

Related link: Seattle PI, Unique townhouses an exception to the rules.

Related question: From the Redfin Seattle Forums, How safe is 23rd & Union?

Popularity: 11% [?]

First Church re-launched their website today. Lots of floor plans and renderings. Looks like 2 of the units are already sold.

Sechrist Design is doing the interiors but you have the opportunity to get a raw shell:

Individuals who wish to purchase a raw shell unit, have the ability to join the design process in visualizing their new home. Work with Sechrist Design Associates or with your own designer, bring your ideas to fruition.

Exciting!

Popularity: 21% [?]

Okay, I’m back from California. Here are the interesting units that have hit the market in the last week.

5th and Madison

Prices are going up and down at 5th and Madison.

Penthouse #2403 came on the market at $2,199,000 dipped to $1,995,000 on June 26 and is now back up to $2,149,000.

Whoever is flipping #302 just dropped the price to $489,950. It’s now been on the market 92 days.

714 East Bellevue

If you’re looking for a Capitol Hill penthouse that needs a little love in the kitchen check out unit #801. Sweet views:

81 Vine

I’m a sucker for two story open condos. If you are two check out unit 500.

$995,000. 1,548 square feet. 2 terraces. Views. Nice!

Cosmo

Whoever is flipping #1604 is following Escala’s lead and raised the price from $649,500 to $700,000. Meanwhile Ashley is on the news because of price cuts higher up in the building.

Cristalla

Need not one, but two Cristalla units? 100x offers you the whole south west corner. All 2400 square feet of it for $1,769,000.

Houseboat

Not really a condo but.. It’s a new construction custom craftsman houseboat with condominium owned moorage (whatever that is) at 2143 Northlake. $560,000 for an unknown number of square feet.

Impluvium Condominiums

This appears to be a new construction project on Capitol Hill. Studios, #101 and #102, are on the market in the low $200s. The exterior is interesting. Bummer there are no other photos.

Klee Lofts

If you’re into wide open 1000 square foot spaces check out unit 102 which is listed at $435,000. FYI, my friend bought 112 for $415,000 earlier this year.

Watermark

Unit 1502 is a little pricey. 749 square feet for $550,000. That’s $734/square foot for a 1983 building. Gorgeous views FROM THE ROOF TOP DECK.

Poor zebra.

Bonus video: From Ming, here’s a sweet loft by David Ling. Video by DWELL.

Popularity: 28% [?]