First Look at Stack House in South Lake Union

Stack House

The first  building in the new Stack House complex, a mixed-use development that takes up a whole city block in the South Lake Union area, is nearing completion. We took a hard hat tour this week of several apartments, the first of 278 that will come online when the entire project is completed later this… Read More

A “Global” View for Via6?

Amazon's proposal for an office building composed of three glass globes, as designed by NBBJ

I really like Amazon’s new proposal for three giant glass-and-steel spheres at its future Denny Triangle office complex. As many others have commented on Seattle Times’ website, it’s nice to have something that’s architecturally different in the downtown core. But the other thing that caught my eye is what’s in the background of the renderings:… Read More

$1.1M Olive 8 Condo Among 38 Seattle Condos Sold in Past Week

737 Olive Way #3100

A two-bedroom condo on the 31st floor of the Olive 8 closed for $1.1 million yesterday, one of 38 condos sold in Seattle in the past week. The Olive 8 deal is interesting, not just because it was the highest-priced unit in the bunch, but because it sold at a pretty lofty price just a… Read More

Nice North Capitol Hill Condo a Rental Deal

1122 Broadway Ave E., near Volunteer Park

It’s weird to say that $3,500 a month in rent is a good deal, but I think it applies to a two bedroom unit in this high-end condo building on North Capitol Hill. Unit #201 in this boutique building, located in the tony Harvard Belmont Landmark District near Volunteer Park,is a spacious 2,088 square feet… Read More

Photos: New Boutique Apartment Building in Ballard that’s eco-friendly and cool

Apartments at the Greenfire Campus, located at 2034 NW 56th Street

If you’re tired of the giant rectangular boxes that have popped up as apartment clones across Seattle – and if you have a crush on Ballard like I do – check out the new apartments at the Greenfire Campus, a mixed-use development with just 18-residential units and a focus on sustainable living. When I went… Read More

Must See Open Houses This Weekend – May 4-5

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This weekend is packed with activities in Seattle, from Cinco de Mayo activities, to opening day of boating, and sunshine all around to top it off. For new home hunters, there’s some goodness in store for you too: 96 open houses going on in Seattle! Here are some of our picks. 320 Melrose Ave E… Read More

Large Capitol Hill Apartment Complex Goes 99% Leased in 6 months

The Lyric Apartments, at 215 10th Ave E., officially opened in November, 2012.

When we toured the new Lyric Apartments on Capitol Hill late last year, we  figured the upscale building would do well, given its modern style, amenities and central location. But we didn’t know it would do this well: The 234-unit complex is now 99% leased, just six months after it officially opened. “It’s nothing short… Read More

Seattle Open Houses – April 21

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It’s Sunday, but that doesn’t mean the weekend fun is over! There are still 99 open houses today for you to catch! 1521 2nd Ave #3701 Open House: Sunday, April 21, 1-4pm and Monday and Tuesday (April 22-23) from 11-1pm One step into this modern 37th floor condo will have you saying “wow!” With 2… Read More

Photos: HUE Lets You Live Out Loud in South Lake Union

Hue at 717 Dexter Ave N.

With its colorful name, I expected HUE to feature a lot of splashy pigments. There are some. But what distinguishes this new apartment building in South of Lake Union has more to do with sounds, and a lot of it if a resident wants. The audio theme starts with the stereo system piping music into… Read More

Worth $1,000+ Per Square Foot?

11-foot ceilings at 819 Virginia St #3403

The northeast penthouse unit at The Cosmopolitan just hit the market for $1.8 million. Two things about that list price caught my eye: It’s higher than the June, 2007 sale price and the price per square foot is $1,029. It will be interesting to see how the market responds. Sure the 11-foot ceilings, the gourmet… Read More

Unlisted: Capitol Hill Penthouse with Amazing Panoramic View

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There are so many listings that boast a “spectacular view” or “breathtaking vistas” that, when you actually tour the place, turn out to be peek-a-boo views or only visible from the deck. That’s not the case for this panoramic view from a penthouse at The Highlander on Capitol Hill. Now, this two-bedroom unit on the… Read More

Very Nice and Reasonable Rental at Mosler Lofts

Rental at 2720 3rd Ave #512

I’ve always had a condo crush on the Mosler Lofts in Belltown, with its concrete, steel and glass facade. If I didn’t own a place, I would jump at this new rental listing. Unit #512 spans 1,126 sq. ft. with one bedroom, a den and 1.75 bathroom, plus a private 500 sq. ft. deck. As… Read More

Would You Pay $6,500 a Month to Live in This Belltown Penthouse?

Unobstructed Puget Sound views from penthouse unit at Volta Apartments on 1st and Bell

The minute I walked into the west-facing penthouse unit at the Volta Apartments, I wanted to move in. There are the high ceilings, the wall of windows framing unobstructed views of Puget Sound, the Miele appliances, and a private deck. I would never leave home. But. But, the unit features just one bedroom in 1282… Read More

Photos: New Luxury Volta Apartments Open in Belltown

Volta Apartments at 1st Ave and Bell

Here’s the bottom line about the new Volta Apartments in Belltown: They are very nice, high-end contemporary units that could make a sizable dent in your bottom line, depending on the apartment you choose. Studios start at $1,895, two bedrooms rent for $3,250, and the penthouse units top out at $6,500. Urbnlivn has been following… Read More

Capitol Hill Seller Looking for 39% Appreciation After 1 Year

Unit at The Sanctuary, 1841 16th Ave

I wanted to blog about this two days ago when the listing popped up but it has taken this long to get over the shock. An owner at The Sanctuary on Capitol Hill is selling after just about a year of ownership, listing the two bedroom, two bath unit for $1,495,000. That figure, in and… Read More

Since They Just Picked a New Pope…

A divine view at 823 18th Ave.

To celebrate the Roman Catholic cardinals’ successful conclave in Rome, here’s a new listing that puts a spotlight on the church….well, at least the one next door. This townhome southeast of Capitol Hill is steps away from Immaculate Conception Church on 18th Ave. And two of the listing photos prominently portray the home’s proximity to… Read More

Holy Bright Red Backsplash

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While flipping through the listing photos of this new Phinney Ridge house, the backsplash halted my progress like a big stop sign. Whoa! That’s a bright red. From afar, the color, combined with the tiling effect, almost reminds me of the bright orange mesh that crews use to cordon off a construction site. I’m not… Read More

Post Porn

The Post at 888 Western Ave

Don’t worry. This material is suitable for work. We just wanted to share some eye candy from The Post, a new apartment building down in Pioneer Square. We took a VIP tour and reviewed the 208-unit complex last year when construction crews were still wrapping up their work. While we could see the potential then,… Read More

Which $5k rental would you choose?

Shiny and new at The Escala

Let’s say money is not an issue and you can spend $5,000+ a month on rent. Which of these high-end rentals would you choose: An exquisitely modern condo on the 23rd floor of the Escala or a more stately penthouse unit at the historic Seaboard building? Both units are two bedrooms and two baths spread… Read More

When $6,650 a Month in Rent is Too Low….

Rollins Street Flats at Denny & Westlake.

When do you know the Seattle rental market is red hot? When $6,650 a month in rent is not high enough. Last Thursday, we blogged about a penthouse unit that opened up at the Rollin Street Flats in South Lake Union. The two-bedroom apartment was listed for $6,650 per month. We suggested that if you… Read More