[James Bond Agent 007]

Neat-o.

[Urban Zombie®]

Great pics!

Work at the "5th & Columbia" site is apparently just fixing the old church. The developer has given the media March 2009 (I believe) as the start date for the tower.

I never can remember what the final plan for that church is. Is it going to be moved to Belltown, or will it stay to accompany 5th & Columbia in sickness and in health, for better and for worse (the latter is more appealing)?

BTW,

Great pics, SeattleLover!

[seaskyfan]

The church building stays, the congregation is building a new structure in Belltown.

[foxmccleod]

Will the church retain use of the building, or do the 5th and Columbia folks have designs for its use?

[seaskyfan]

Will the church retain use of the building, or do the 5th and Columbia folks have designs for its use?

The 5th and Columbia folks will have to figure out a use for it. I haven't seen anything specific but I recall they're looking for some public use.

[mhays]

Actually it's going to the north side of Denny between Second & Warren.

[mSeattle]

What ideas are out there for the future use of the former sanctuary building? Where they leaning toward an arts use?

[Hoodrat]

Love all the pics. Thanks everyone!

[alexjon]

Town Hall #2?

[mhays]

There's merit to that idea. One reason is we might lose some of the Northwest Rooms to the Seattle Center upgrade. This could be a new location for those random public meetings with a few hundred attendees. Being next to City Hall and great transit would be helpful from that perspective.

[mSeattle]

Walked by construction on First Hill yesterday. Skyline looks like it's 5 or 6 floors away from topping out.

[Aleks]

Went up to the Starbucks on the 40th floor of the Columbia Tower and got some shots.

5th and Columbia. I'm definitely going to go up to take pictures during construction.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k235/Aleks0o01/e65fbb80.jpg

Harborview Expansion
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k235/Aleks0o01/0667aafe.jpg

Olive 8. Wow, looks very metropolitan.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k235/Aleks0o01/f6ed6fae.jpg

7th and Madison. It looks nice from the freeway. I took some pictures but they were blurry so I won't post them.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k235/Aleks0o01/ae48e3dc.jpg

[elysium]

Went up to the Starbucks on the 40th floor of the Columbia Tower and got some shots.

5th and Columbia. I'm definitely going to go up to take pictures during construction.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k235/Aleks0o01/e65fbb80.jpg


Are they really fitting the 5th & Columbia tower in that tiny space?

[Hoodrat]

^^

Yes

[mSeattle]

I love that orange dome. I'll look almost as great in contrast with the silver backdrop, as it does with the black backdrop of Columbia.

Look at that Bellevue skyline too. Nice!

[alexjon]

Went up to the Starbucks on the 40th floor of the Columbia Tower and got some shots.

You are so ghetto! :haha:

Love it!

[Aleks]

That dome is actually less orange. I just saturated it too much and didn't notice it until I posted that picture. I was too lazy to go back and saturate it less.

And I was actually going to the observation deck but the fat security guy wasn't there so we just left and we didn't wanna go to the Retail core so we just had a cup of coffee there.

[seaskyfan]

If they made the dome a tad more orange it could be a great location for a new Downtown Hooters.

[seaskyfan]

More height on the north lot! Yahoo!

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/372207_develop25.html

Developers plan 4 towers on site north of Qwest Field
Rezone sought to raise height limit from 120 to 240 feet

By AUBREY COHEN
P-I REPORTER

Developers have applied to double the height limit on the northern half of the county-owned parking lot north of Qwest Field and erect four towers on the site.

The plan comes from a partnership of developers Nitze-Stagen and Opus Northwest and the Seattle Housing Authority.

The rezone would raise the allowable height from 120 feet to 240 feet -- in line with what Seattle planners proposed for the site in May.

The new plan would put 645 housing units above 12,055 square feet of retail and 450 aboveground parking stalls in towers of 10, 20 and 25 stories. A fourth, 20-story tower would have 480,000 square feet of offices above 6,966 square feet of retail and 500 above-ground parking spaces.

The developers' purchase and sales agreement with King County requires parking for King Street Station and Qwest Field, and at least 400 housing units, including at least 100 units of affordable housing.

Applying for a rezone of the development site could bring the change about before the wider south downtown proposal is enacted, because state law requires planners to make a recommendation on the developers' application within 120 days of a complete application (not counting time it takes the applicants to correct plans, perform required studies or provide additional information).

The council has the final say on the rezone, while city planners will review environmental impact, including such issues as traffic and views.

[Aleks]

I don't think views are that much of an impact but traffic will get worse. Buses during rush hour already get pretty full and with more people. At least it'll get rid of that parking lot.

[mSeattle]

I think it's a great plan. I'd love so see a good number of buildings built in the 10 floor range or above near the stadiums north, east and south; even modernized vertical warehouses and industries on the south.

[alexjon]

I wish they were building near mass-trans-- oh, wait. ;)

[mhays]

The DJC has a new blog section, and you're invited. No subscription needed.

It's called SeattleScape. Shawna Gamache has written on this blog for a while now, but today it's been expanded. Six new bloggers were recruited -- lots of civic leaders...plus me.

http://www.djc.com/blogs/SeattleScape/index.php

Please join in! With seven bloggers there should be new posts every day, and you're welcome to comment. This is a good way to get your ideas in front of the DJC's online readership, which is packed with Seattle's design, construction, development, and government people.

[seaskyfan]

^ Looks like a great resource!

[mSeattle]

For some reason I can't figure out how to join. I'm missing where the link is.

[mhays]

You can get to it via www.djc.com. I'm not an expert beyond that, because I'm a subscriber. But in theory anyone can post comments without joining.

[mSeattle]

You can get to it via www.djc.com. I'm not an expert beyond that, because I'm a subscriber. But in theory anyone can post comments without joining.

Ok, cool. Thanks for the explanation.

[seattle lover]

the olivian core has topped out finally, 1521's bottom 5 floors are going to be getting the windows probably next week and the metal fin will be starting next week, 1918 the core is gonna rise to the 15th level today or tomorrow and they're finally at street level with the floors, west 8th's metal and top are completed now they just need to put the concrete in and the windows, and enso is putting another row of windows up.

and i have a couple of questions, when is 1521's crane going down?
when is west 8th's windows going up?
and when will 1918, 5th and yesler, and aspira b completed, and give me a month not year please,and when will they b topped off?

[Aleks]

Ha, weird. I was uploading post some pictures at the same time you posted that Seattle Lover.

Anyways, Olive 8 and Olivian:

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k235/Aleks0o01/93961fe3.jpg

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k235/Aleks0o01/a8c02546.jpg

[Vashon118]

According to the construction timeline for 1521 2nd, the tower crane comes down next month.

[elysium]

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k235/Aleks0o01/a8c02546.jpg

This photo doesn't capture how silly this building looks in person. I live right near it (and across the street from the one going up by the courthouse). Those windows are covered with decal-like, cartoony tubes/pipes. There's absolutely no point to it.

[Aleks]

I like it. It's like the modern version of Qwest Tower. Two buildings, nearly same height, boxy, what a great way of contrasting the two structures. It's either that or what Qwest looks like behind that facade. I doubt that's their point but it would be cool if it was.

More updates but clickables.

Here's 1918 8th Ave. Just the core because I didn't get close enough for the whole thing: Image 1 (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k235/Aleks0o01/eb3917fa.jpg), Image 2 (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k235/Aleks0o01/67ab3339.jpg).

And then it's 1521 (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k235/Aleks0o01/d647e551.jpg). The 'sail' looks like it's either complete or nearly. I can't wait until they take the scaffolding off.

And one of Escala (http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k235/Aleks0o01/c74abade.jpg) from Westlake Plaza. Looks nice.

[mhays]

Escala is going to close the end of 4th like the Westin does for 5th. Very, very cool.

[seaskyfan]

Exterior cladding is going up on West 8th. They have it up on the 2nd and 3rd floors (at least on the Virginia St. side).

[mSeattle]

Exterior cladding is going up on West 8th. They have it up on the 2nd and 3rd floors (at least on the Virginia St. side).

The "gumby" on top is smaller than I thought it would be, unless they haven't finished building it up.

[mSeattle]

This photo doesn't capture how silly this building looks in person. I live right near it (and across the street from the one going up by the courthouse). Those windows are covered with decal-like, cartoony tubes/pipes. There's absolutely no point to it.

A little silliness or at least fun is needed in Seattle architecture. It balances Qwest's boring design nicely.

BTW, I walked by the AVA office and was not impressed with the exterior drab color scheme. Windows looked more gray and there was more beige. :yuck:

[Hoodrat]

The glass on Olive8 reminds me of One Bryant Park in nyc...same translucent milky fade. I personally like it.

[seattle lover]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3240/2730893982_ddfa2af79b_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3054/2730061211_5d3512de19_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3057/2730059161_fc02566f8f_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3019/2730892562_3cec0520ce_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3007/2730891862_3032765485_b.jpg

[Hoodrat]

Thats awsome!

Love the Blue Angels...I used to live in Mt. Baker and was awed by them every Seafair. They made tho whole house rattle! It was amazing!

[Aleks]

I live in Mount Baker. I hate it cause I'm trying to do something and here they come making their noise. Well, I actually like it but whatever.

Nice updates and 1521 will be moved to the completed section in a few weeks (well, a month or two)!

[alexjon]

Project Name: 505 Madison Street



Project Description: Land Use Application for a 36-story administrative office building over a 3-story base structure. The project includes 6,176 square feet of retail space at street level. Below ground parking for 481 vehicles will be provided.


Threshold Determination


The Director of the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) has determined that the proposal is likely to have a probable significant adverse environmental impact on the environment with regard to transportation. DPD has identified and adopts the existing Downtown Height and Density Changes EIS (2005) as the SEPA analysis appropriate for the current proposal, after independent review. DPD has determined that this proposal’s impacts have been adequately analyzed and addressed in the existing Downtown Height and Density Changes EIS. The Downtown Height and Density Changes EIS meets DPD’s SEPA responsibilities and needs for the current proposal and will accompany the proposal to the decision maker.

[hi123]

Great picture updates! O 8 looks great! However I'm quite disappointed with the way 1521 turned out! The renderings look so beautiful! But the windows with the thick white surounding really make the building look-dare i say- ugly Does anyone else see what i mean?

[Aleks]

I like it. Those white frames make the building look less boring to me. If it was all glass it would look pretty good too. Anyways, pictures from today.

Escala (http://www.escalamidtown.com/), it's growing and growing. Good thing too because it took for ever when it was a hole and in the first two/3 floors.
http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/542b0b1d.jpg

Olivian (http://theolivian.com/) and all it's glory. It seemed like it was going to be longer but it's not as big as I thought it was gonna be.
http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/189422f0.jpg

818 Stewart (http://www.818stewart.com/) is almost done. The lobby and top parts of the building need glass and a few facade pieces then we'll be able to say it's finished.
http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/2b6a1639.jpg

And it's big brother 1918 (http://www.1918eighth.com/) is coming along well too. The core is pretty high up while they're working on the first floor. I could barely read the 14 on the core wall so they must be working on the 15th floor/
http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/3fca721c.jpg

http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/21e77942.jpg

Here's the glass on West 8th (http://www.west8th.com/). It seems a good shade of color but it's less see-through than what I thought it would be.
http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/69c94c9c.jpg

And they started adding the fire proofing foam to the floors, columns, beams, etc...
http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/acaa6fa9.jpg

http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/f5e92b1a.jpg

The back side of Enso (http://ensoliving.com/). I was in a car so I couldn't get many good pictures so this is the only one.
http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/7a48262d.jpg

5th and Yesler (http://www.martinselig.com/properties.php?propid=19) has a fatt core. Unlike Olivian, it seemed to me like it was going to be thinner but it's going to be pretty long.
http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/fdf97916.jpg

http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/ba3be9de.jpg

Hurray! This is my first time seeing the billboard for Insignia (http://insignialiving.com/). I'm pretty sure this project will move on. They already began breaking up the concrete and soon they'll start digging up the hole. Either that or I imagined large parts of broken concrete on the site. There are some harsh comments on Seattle Condo Blog (http://seattlecondosandlofts.com/2007/11/clise-parcel-sold) but I think the towers are pretty nice. It would be better if they did add public space at the bottom though.
http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/682c72c5.jpg

The pictures under are taken with a camera phone but they work. First I'll show Skyline at First Hill (http://www.skylineatfirsthill.com/home/default.asp) which is coming along well and looks even better than the renders. The beige may be too common but it sure worked on this building. And I didn't know this was a retirement home, I thought it was apartments.
http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/f645d0bc.jpg

http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/9fb67208.jpg

http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/e06d9db3.jpg

Finally we have 7th and Madison (http://www.7thandmadison.com/index.htm). It's topped out and they started adding glass to the first floor. Not too big but it gets the job done. EDIT: I changed the picture.
http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/b7a2c6ac.jpg

[Urban Zombie®]

^Groovin' updates.

[Hoodrat]

Yeah, no shit...thanks Alex!

[Aleks]

Thanks, I added links to the projects website (if there is one) so there are a couple links in my writing. I still can't believe Skyline is a retirement home. It seems like retirement homes are in and more and more elderly are moving into the downtown area.

[mhays]

That's good for an active downtown -- many types of people doing many types of things on many types of schedules.

[Urban Zombie®]

^
True that--I hear even John McCain's buying a unit in Skyline. ;)

[Hoodrat]

:haha:

[mSeattle]

Click picture to get to a larger version.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3142/2740241906_9134e96b3e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27305863@N07/2740241906/)

[Aleks]

Great picture. You might want to take the pictures with the camera pointed vertically so you can get more details above and below the picture and you can afford space that you can crop off so the black parts don't show up.

Anyways, O8 (http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/e6d372b1.jpg) from the rooftop of an apartment building on First Hill.

And 7th & Madison (http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/b7a2c6ac.jpg) too. I had a better view of the whole thing.

[Aleks]

That's good for an active downtown -- many types of people doing many types of things on many types of schedules.

This is weird. The day before I posted those pictures I watched a show whwre this old couple moved downtown and I talked about the subject with two people throughout the day and how it was good that we were getting more of a variety of people.

Anyways, I noticed that Seattle has a pretty long list but most buildings are U/C and the most of the U/C buildings are either nearly or topped out. Then there's a small "break" and after that buildings that are proposed or will start construction later this/next year. Just something.

[mSeattle]

Great picture. You might want to take the pictures with the camera pointed vertically so you can get more details above and below the picture and you can afford space that you can crop off so the black parts don't show up.

Thanks for the tip. I was thinking that. Just haven't had a chance to try it.

[blackc5]

Anyways, O8 (http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/e6d372b1.jpg) from the rooftop of an apartment building on First Hill.



Thanks for the photos. That shot makes Cosmo look really SHORT.

[mhays]

A year from now we'll have Aspira and 1918 8th as our main "visible tall ucs". The highrise pace has slowed and won't return to the height of the boom anytime soon, but we'll have towers of some kind uc for a while yet.

[mSeattle]

A year from now we'll have Aspira and 1918 8th as our main "visible tall ucs". The highrise pace has slowed and won't return to the height of the boom anytime soon, but we'll have towers of some kind uc for a while yet.

And Escala.

[mhays]

Oh yeah. Aside from a few peak periods in the past few decades, that would be considered a lot.

[Complex01]

Great update pics. Seattle looking great as always...

:cool:

[Aleks]

According to Seattle Condo Blog (http://seattlecondosandlofts.com/2008/07/heron-pagoda-on-hold), Heron/Pagoda has been put on hold. I don't know if it's old news but I sure didn't know.

[mSeattle]

Yea, someone had mentioned this earlier either in this thread or in the local Seattle section. I have mixed feelings. I like the buildings but I don't like the location.

[mSeattle]

A couple of panos for your Saturday Night. Click for larger view.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3119/2749142832_249e52bd23_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3119/2749142832_249e52bd23.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27305863@N07/2749142832/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3068/2748308089_c1ebd8b3d5_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3068/2748308089_c1ebd8b3d5.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27305863@N07/2748308089/)

[Aleks]

Great pics. In the second picture Seattle looks so urbanized, from that area in general, Seattle looks full of skyscrapers.

Anyways, a picture from today showing the progress on Skyline (http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/eb0cf6ec.jpg). It's finished with the 23rd floor which I think is the last one. I'm not too sure though, there may be another one.

[Hoodrat]

How tall is Aspira s'posed to be?

[Aleks]

I think 400 ft. exactly.

Anyways, time for some flashbacks.... The first pictures are from July/August last year when I first got my camera.

Escala before:-------------------------------------------------Escala Today:
http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/ec545b59.jpg http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/f13aa4ba.jpg

West 8th before:-----------------------------------------------------------------------------West 8th today:
http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/0c659152.jpg http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/f8e0a755.jpg

818 Stewart before:---------------------------------------------------------------------------818 Stewart today:
http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/5964394c.jpg http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/45a1b4af.jpg

1521 before:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------1521 today:
http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/ae127b9a.jpg http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/264bd4e7.jpg

http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/4cc11780.jpg http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/48bc6eb6.jpg



O8 before:----------------------------------------------------O8 today:
http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/5f5293d5.jpg http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/7b0037be.jpg

And just a shot of Aspira's progress:
http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/91f48f92.jpg

Wow, this last year has seen a good amount of construction. Pretty soon we'll only have Aspira U/C and everything else will be either complete, proposed or still in the hole.

[James Bond Agent 007]

Amazing what can happen in a year!

[mSeattle]

Wow, this last year has seen a good amount of construction. Pretty soon we'll only have Aspira U/C and everything else will be either complete, proposed or still in the hole.

Soon? No mid-rises are digging now (as far as I know) so there will be a lull on big starts. But 5th & Yesler is at least a few months from being complete, maybe early 2009? Escala is a long way from topping out, and 1918 will be a well into 2009 before being complete.

The low-rise (-10 floors) density going on in Belltown, Eastlake, Denny & Aurora, Ballard, Broadway, UD, Greenlake, Northgate, West Seattle, Rainier Valley... are as big or bigger than a couple of high rises, plus their turning dull neighborhoods into much more interesting ones.

[Aleks]

I forgot about 1918 and 5th&Yesler. Escala will probably be the last highrise until Aspira is done. Those projects around the neighborhoods are pretty big specially in Rainier Valley where condo's are popping up everywhere. I hope it stays that way because that area could improve a little. The Central District is starting to see more and more new/modern townhomes too with glass atrium designs. I noticed Broadway is just converting old buildings into apartments or condo's but not much construction. Still, it feels like everything is slowing own a bit and we'll coll off for a few years.

I would really like to see that North parking lot in the Seahawks stadium developed and I've seen projects in other cities around the US that are massive with hundreds of homes and acres of parks while being affordable. Rainier Valley should get a project like that, it would be great to see 5 or 6 blocks redeveloped into a green, affordable community. Well, more than the ones that already exist.

[Vashon118]

Demo on the apartment building on the 8th & Seneca site finally started a month or so ago. It looks like they're doing it by hand (I haven't seen any machinery on the site and demo is going along very slowly).

[mSeattle]

The O8 crown is being put on now. I got some shots this morning!

[alexjon]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3123/2760888189_32a6bba8be_o.jpg

And a bonus:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3284/2761734714_17462a57bd_o.jpg

[Aleks]

For some reason the crown looks kind of weird on O8. It looks good but I'm used to seeing it square. Aspira will looks like and shorter, less bluer version of 08 without the crown.

[mSeattle]

The "crown" is more like a giant mortar board. :D

Click pic for big view (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3010/2760412385/sizes/)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3010/2760412385_d633064686_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27305863@N07/2760412385/)

[Aleks]

Passed by it today and the crown looks pretty good. It will sure look better once the blue panels are installed.

Anyways, the first post is a little undated. I'm working on a new layout for it but I want to know what you guys think.

Basically this is what every project is listed like
Name:Project with link. (“”)
Year:
Height:
Use:
Facts:

Image One, Image Two [rendering, rendering or rendering, picture if project is complete]

Current Progress:
Current Progress Photo [only for U/C projects].

---------------------------------------------
Example:
Name:1918 8th Ave (“http://www.1918eighth.com/”)
Year: 2009
Height: 500 ft.
Use: Office
Facts: The building is next to the residential tower Cosmopolitan which will have it’s views blocked off from the West side. Many residents were not informed about the project and condos have dropped in value.

http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/2a2c1f5d.jpg http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/42b7acd4.jpg

Current Progress: August/4/2008
http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/21e77942.jpg

and so on. The updates/current progress would be updated as soon as the newest updates are available or whatever has the best view of the projects progress. Here's (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?p=3744291#post3744291) a list of what I've completed. Not everything is correct and I may need to move things around. There would also be and On Hold/Unknown section so the Approved/Proposed section doesn't include dead or projects that are going into the light. So, what do you guys think? For now just give me feedback on the layout and what you think should be removed or added. Then later the projects will be moved around.

[Urban Zombie®]

^
I checked out your new layout in the Test forum, and it looks good. You should PM Bond and ask him to cut and paste your html over that in the first post of this thread. If we end up going with that layout, then in the future you can PM me or Bond with a photolink to update the "Current Progress" picture.

[alexjon]

Your facts about Cosmo are funny, but I won't get into that argument. :P

[Aleks]

Well, that's why I said I would most likely have to change things.

[alexjon]

Well, that's why I said I would most likely have to change things.

Yeah, the residents get vicious sometimes on blogs and such when they find out people are making light of their "plight".

Of course, this would not have happened if architects and developers realized that when you share a block, it's unreasonable to have 360 degree views unless some heritage building is adjacent. Like with 5th and Columbia.

[Hoodrat]

Saw the crown on O8...I think it's great looking, not such a boxy profile now.

[NW Mike]

Nice job with your example AleksOoo1. Looks great.

[colemonkee]

That's a nice skyline shot there, alexjon.

[alexjon]

That's a nice skyline shot there, alexjon.

Thanks! Went on the locks cruise with my workplace-- it was nice.

Anyway, I just picked up the DJC and it seems Security Properties is going to 40 stories officially on its 8th and Pine Street property.

[Aleks]

That's the building proposed for the lot next to the Convention Center right?

[alexjon]

That's the building proposed for the lot next to the Convention Center right?

Yeah, which is great since it'll add to the overwhelming feeling of that particular corner.

[mhays]

Are you thinking the intersection a block west? This one will still have the vacant lot by the Camlin on the NW corner, and the Convention Place Station void on the NE corner.

[alexjon]

Nah, you get a nice perspective looking up from that particular corner with Tower 801 and 2 Union Square in one direction and Olive 8 and (hopefully Ava) in the other.

[Hoodrat]

I don't remember that one at all. Is there a render for the 8th & Pine proposal?

[Aleks]

There's no official rendering but there's a massing rendering on Urbancondominiums.com. I don't think it's correct though because alexjon pointed out that it will be 40 floors so around the size of O8 and AVA. In the rendering it looks to be a little above 500 feet. It's the orange highlighted one:
http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/8thandPine.jpg
Urbancondominiums.com

Has anybody else noticed that Olivian is turned backwards on this image?

[genghis]

In response to AleksOoO1's post on 8/04:

(nice pics, btw)

The core on 5th & Yesler is pretty long, but then so is the site. However, it gets reduced somewhat above the 11th floor. (Also, that's where the low-rise elevator bank ends...it's a two-zoned system). As soon as they're done with the 4th floor concrete deck it's going to change over to a steel structure (except for the core). The amount of shear walls below that level needed to hold up "Goat Hill" above was pretty amazing.

I've got a photo of the curtainwall mock-up but I think I'll hold off on posting it for now. The mock-up's on-site though, near the northeast corner of the site so there's nothing preventing anyone else from taking a pic. (at least it was a few days ago) Sadly, most of the interesting curtainwall features got value-engineered out of the project a long time ago.

[Aleks]

1521 is nearly complete!

http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/CSC_0151.jpg

http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/CSC_0158.jpg

And Escala which is on the 12 or 13th floor.
http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t325/Aleks0o04/CSC_0160.jpg

[alexjon]

It's like a mini 2 Union Square now!

[seaskyfan]

^ I had that same thought as I was walking down Howell yesterday and could see both of them. It's kind of a 2 Union Mini-Me in darker blue.

[Hoodrat]

:previous:

agreed...not a bad tower to imitate, imo

[elysium]

This is out of nowhere, but would anyone else mind if we changed the color of the Colombia Center? I like its look, but black just doesn't reflect Seattle's aesthetic. How about emerald? ;)

[Hoodrat]

Keep it black!!!

[Aleks]

Black=Intimidating. Intimidating=Big. Black+Big=Columbia Tower.

About 1521, I like it too. I noticed that the fins at the top are the same shape and size they just point different directions. I would've like the West fin to point North instead of South since the building would look much more appealing from West Seattle/Elliot Bay.

[James Bond Agent 007]

I always thought Columbia Center woulda looked better if it was green.

Then we could *really* be called the Emerald City. :)

[Urban Zombie®]

Well, if we really wanted to celebrate Seattle's aesthetic sense, we'd change the color of the Columbia Tower to beige.

[Hoodrat]

:previous:

Oh, gawd no!

Funny you should mention that, though. I saw a draft of an altenate proposal for the Columbia Center that hade beige stone cladding. Dunno why the black version won out, but I'm glad it did. The massing and setbacks were pretty similar to what got built, but there wern't the curves. The windows were squarish.

Don't know where I could find that book now, I had my mother the librarian borrow it from another library (maybe the UW) on a loan back in the 80's. It would be cool to see that render (actually it was a model) again.

[alexjon]

Line it with green argon lights!

[Aleks]

That's what I always wanted to see! Or the "Darth Vader (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e7/Darth_Vader_Bldg_1.jpg/800px-Darth_Vader_Bldg_1.jpg)" building. Sometimes I'd like our skyline to have a little bling bling and sparkle. It would make it look even cooler than it already is. But then I think about the energy it would take and about other people who would think it's a bad idea.