SkyscraperPage Forum - SEATTLE | 2nd and University | >500 FT

SkyscraperPage Forum (https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/index.php)

- Completed Project Threads Archive (https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=348)

- - SEATTLE | 2nd and University | >500 FT | 37 FLOORS (https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=214104)

SEATTLE | 2nd and University | >500 FT | 37 FLOORS

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5597/...fc723117_o.png

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/b....html?page=all

Quote:

Big new skyscraper planned for Second and University designed to look like a forest

Pickard Chilton
This is the preliminary design for Skanska's latest project, an office high-rise called 2&U in downtown Seattle.

Marc Stiles
Staff Writer-
Puget Sound Business Journal

Skanska USA Commercial Development on Thursday announced it has reached an agreement with the Samis Foundation to lease all of Samis' downtown Seattle property between First and Second avenues and University and Seneca streets and develop a large office tower.

The plan calls for an office tower with 725,000 square feet of leasable space with shops, restaurants and public spaces. The project, called 2&U, is scheduled to open in 2019, Skanska said.

The project joins a growing list of high-rise proposals in downtown Seattle, including a 77-story project at Second and Marion, a 58-story project at Fourth and Union, and a 42-story development at Third and Cherry. Construction already is starting on two competing high-rise projects at Fifth and Marion.

This activity shows that the center of Seattle's business district is shifting away from South Lake Union, where Amazon.com'sdquarters is located.

"The location of 2&U is really at the seam of our city," Skanska Executive Vice President Lisa Picard said in a statement.

New Haven, Conn.-based architecture firm, Pickard Chilton, was hired to design the tower through a unique "design hack-a-thon" involving seven international firms.

Skanska officials said they liked how Pickard Chilton's submission reinforced Skanska's vision by making a strong connection between the building's form and the Northwest's character. The preliminary design creates a network of pedestrian passages traversing the block through "a forest-like base," while the tower above provides weather protection similar to the warmth and comfort of a tree canopy, Skanska officials said in a news release.

Skanska officials said they'll work with the downtown community and host a series of forums to discuss how 2&U's design could connect tenants, visitors and neighbors to the waterfront, art museum and Third Avenue transit tunnel.

Skanska approached Samis more than three years ago with a vision for the Second and University properties. The discussions, facilitated in large part by Jim Reinhardsen of local real estate advisory company Heartland, resulted in a Nov. 1 signing of a long-term ground lease.

Eli Almo, Samis executive board member said Skanska's "inspiring vision for our property will provide long-term value to support our philanthropic mission."

The foundation owns and manages a cast portfolio of property. The late Sam Isreal established the foundation in 1987 to support Jewish education and culture. The foundation has given away more than $35 million in grants.

2&U is Skanska's fourth project in the Puget Sound region since commencing Seattle development operations in 2011.

On the north end of Lake Union, the company completed Stone34 for Brooks Sports. That building is now for sale. In South Lake Union, Skanska is building the 400 Fairview office/retail project that will be home to Tommy Bahama. Skanska is developing its first mixed-use apartment project called Alley 111.

Marc Stiles covers commercial real estate and government for the Puget Sound Business Journal.

View of the site today. As you can see by the proximity to the waterfront, this will have a decent impact on the skyline from the west:

http://i.imgur.com/3M0c2s9.png
Photo by Grayproduct at SSC

To me it looks as if they are trying to lift a majority of the offices above the midrises that surround the proposal for better views.

$20 bucks says the height is 440 feet :P

No, 440' is only in zones that are 400' and only for residential, which gets 10% extra. This looks like 500-something.

The upper half of the block is an unlimited height zone, but FAR is limited. So they're using their valuable square footage up where there's a view. But doing so requires very expensive structure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by summersm343 (Post 6797811)

$20 bucks says the height is 440 feet :P

I bump you to $25 it will 440 ft. :D

This development will provide a good dose density. The base is very unique.

This is in a zone that allows for towers over 440'. Although there are many, Seattle has several developments in the pipeline that are over 440'.

Also, keep in mind that the zonings tend to be based on the construction type.

Note: If its hard to see, zoom in (Control + mouse wheel)
http://stb-wp.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-co...-09-29_680.png
http://seattletransitblog.com/2014/1...th-and-zoning/

I thought the height is unlimited on the 2nd Ave side!

It is unlimited. But there's still pretty restrictive FAR.

That's 500'+ in my book! Nice design.

Wow. I really love this design. This will look super awesome from the water. Kind of odd feeling when I think about 1201 being blocked like that though. Such an iconic building of the skyline. Seattle is really growing up!

http://www.pickardchilton.com/work/2u

Quote:

2+U is a Class A office tower featuring an active ground floor experience comprised of unique and accessible retail shops, restaurants and public spaces. 2+U aspires to create a new and welcoming, communal destination representative of the region’s unique character. Delivery is anticipated in 2019.

Located between Second and First Avenue and between University and Seneca Streets, the design aims to create a fresh and compelling experience between the waterfront and the rest of downtown that invigorates the work environment for companies having, or seeking, an address in the core.

The design creates a strong connection between the building’s form and the Northwest’s character, resulting in a true Pacific Northwest building that could position Seattle and its downtown for continued success. The initial concept creates a network of pedestrian passages traversing the block through a forest-like base, while the tower above provides weather protection similar to the warmth and comfort of a tree canopy.

http://www.pickardchilton.com/sites/...%29.slider.jpg

http://www.pickardchilton.com/sites/...nal.slider.jpg

http://www.pickardchilton.com/sites/...opy.slider.jpg

http://www.pickardchilton.com/sites/...nal_slider.jpg

http://www.pickardchilton.com/sites/...nal.slider.jpg

http://www.pickardchilton.com/sites/...dateslider.JPG

The base is pretty well thought out, and very, very Seattle. The tower is nothing groundbreaking, but it is a nice departure from Pickard Chilton's usual palette of glass and steel fins. I really hope this is built as designed.

Not a bad design, and a very Seattle base indeed. I do really like the brick building's facade at the corner of 2nd and Seneca...too bad it wasn't made part of the project like the building on the opposite corner.

Quote:

Originally Posted by colemonkee (Post 7415192)

True nothing groundbreaking, but very pedestrian friendly.

A perfect place for yet another Starbucks;)

Council Passes 20 Is Plenty Law, 2+U Alley Vacation, And New Madison Valley Park

Quote:

Skanska USA is proposing to construct two towers and a series of podium structures on a Downtown block. One tower would would rise 41 stories while the shorter of the two would reach 20 stories. Called 2+U (1201 Second Avenue)–named after the streets Second Avenue and University Street–the project would require an partial alley way vacation between First Avenue and Second Avenue to become a reality. That’s because the towers would straddle over the alley and the podium structures. A total of four buildings would be demolished on the block–two buildings each on First Avenue and Second Avenue–to make way for the development. However, the Diller Building, one of the first buildings built downtown following the fire of 1889, will remain on the block.

https://www.theurbanist.org/wp-conte...t-07.37.16.png

https://www.theurbanist.org/wp-conte...t-07.38.12.png

Quote:

Skanska has designed public space into the project concept. Between the podium structures, Skanska would provide permeability for public across the site with welcoming features. Instead of just an alley, a diagonal through connection would reach from First Avenue to Second Avenue from the southwest to the northeast. Another through connection would snake behind the planned retail on Seneca Street while an open connection would be just south of the Diller Building. One-third of the alley would remain in place from University Street to provide emergency and service access to the center of the site; the alley will essentially operate like a woonerf. To add open space and views, Skanska would develop an overlook on the Seneca Street side with level access from Second Avenue.

Skanska promises to provide the open space as privately-owned public space:

https://www.theurbanist.org/wp-conte...t-07.39.34.png

https://www.theurbanist.org/wp-conte...t-07.38.51.png

https://www.theurbanist.org/wp-conte...23-746x507.png
=============================
https://www.theurbanist.org/2016/09/...n-valley-park/

Skanska to Begin 38-Story Seattle Office Tower

Quote:

Skanska USA Commercial Development is set to start work on 2+U, a lifted, 38-story, 665,000-square-foot office tower in Seattle’s urban core. The $392 million building is named for its location, at Second Avenue and University Street, near the Seattle Art Museum, Pike Place Market, Benaroya Hall (the home of the Seattle Symphony and also built by Skanska) and the downtown transit tunnel.

The tower’s office space will be lifted to 85 feet, accommodating an all-seasons, 24,000-square-foot “outdoor urban village” that includes arts and entertainment spaces, restaurants and retail, all open to the public. This part of the project was made possible by an alley vacation from the City of Seattle.

The 1.01-acre site is subject to a 75-year ground lease from the Samis Foundation, a Seattle-based non-profit that supports Jewish education in the city.

The project, targeting LEED Gold certification, was first announced in November 2014 and will take till the second quarter of 2019 to complete. Amenities include:

Skanska USA Commercial Development is set to start work on 2+U, a lifted, 38-story, 665,000-square-foot office tower in Seattle’s urban core. The $392 million building is named for its location, at Second Avenue and University Street, near the Seattle Art Museum, Pike Place Market, Benaroya Hall (the home of the Seattle Symphony and also built by Skanska) and the downtown transit tunnel.

The tower’s office space will be lifted to 85 feet, accommodating an all-seasons, 24,000-square-foot “outdoor urban village” that includes arts and entertainment spaces, restaurants and retail, all open to the public. This part of the project was made possible by an alley vacation from the City of Seattle.

The 1.01-acre site is subject to a 75-year ground lease from the Samis Foundation, a Seattle-based non-profit that supports Jewish education in the city.

The project, targeting LEED Gold certification, was first announced in November 2014 and will take till the second quarter of 2019 to complete. Amenities include:

18,000- to 30,000-square-foot floorplates;
Unobstructed views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains;
A 19th-floor outdoor tenant view deck;
A bike club featuring secure bike storage and maintenance and electric charging facilities; and
A fitness and wellness studio, including sauna, showers and locker facilities.

=========================
https://www.cpexecutive.com/post/ska...-office-tower/