SEATTLE | Downtown Projects: Completed, U/C, Proposed/Approved

[Vashon118]

I forgot one

Aspira (01/31):

[blackc5]

Awesome updates! Keep 'em coming

I am curious to see how Aspira turns out - somehow I still have a problem visualizing the whole building and whether it is going to look monotonous or great...

Oh - and great pano from the Cosmo!

[James Bond Agent 007]

I'm beginning to really like the cladding on the Aspira.

[seaskyfan]

I'm liking Aspira as well. I'm pleasantly surprised at how its turning out.

Thanks for the updates Vashon!

[Aleks]

Woah! That base is HUGE! I hope they cover that back part cause it will look ugly if they left that concrete part bare. Specially cause it's next to that sexy, sleek glass.

[alexjon]

The base on Aspira (and the whole tower) are built to accomodate an additional structure on the south side of the building where the concrete is bare. Could be more parking, could be another tower. Who knows!

[mSeattle]

Different changes going on in the Denny Triangle - 1918, West 8th, Apire, Olive 8, Olivian, Mirabella.





Not enough change... (cursed foreground parking lot)

[mSeattle]

I like the duo-tone glass scheme too. I didn't realize that it would be like that from the renderings. Nice surprise.

Escala is probably my favorite of all the new highrise residences.

[mhays]

Mine too. It also points its slim side down Fourth Avenue.

[Complex01]

I still cant believe how tall 1918 is gonna be. It just towers over all its neighbors...

[Aleks]

I drove by Aspira last night but I didn't have my camera or my tripid so I couldn't take a picture and my crappy cell phone won't take good night pics...

Abut anyways, I'm lovin' the wayy Aspira looks. I just wish they did something about the top! It looks so f-ing plain! Maybe add a crown to the top made from short spires or a glass crown that's lit up at night.

Here's ol' 1521. It looks awesome as usual.


And of course, Escala. Those condo's are perfectly located! Great views of Puget Sound, views of the Cascade Mountains, Views of downtown Seattle, views of the Space Needle and Queen Anne! Imma have to start trafficking drugs or something cause I want one of those condos! Not really, but I do want one.


By the way, does anyone know what will happen to the small building next to Escala? Where the sales center is? Will it be rented out to offices [the 2nd floor], be incorporated into the Escala base? Just leased out to retail?

[seaskyfan]

^ I had heard that the second floor of the adjacent building was going to be incorporated as part of the Escala spa/health club. That was a while ago though.

Looks like the yoga studio on the first floor of that building is open and they're also opening a spa - wonder if that's going to be on the 2nd floor? Maybe separate from Escala after all?

[Aleks]

Not much, and not very good details. I'm pretty sure all of the usual visitors can pick out the projects U/C right now but I decided to add names just in case someone who doesn't know the locations very well visited this page.

Anyways, here's a shot without labels:






PS: Sorry for the bad pictures, the sun was in the way and I could not get the picture to look right without making the colors really dark.

[mhays]

Those were excellent pictures!

[mSeattle]

Very nice shots Aleks.

In the last picture and to the right of Escala..., the row of 2nd Ave towers would fill up that dip.

[Aleks]

Gosh! I hope not! I drove by Alki today and I was looking at the skyline, and I though... Gees, the Retail Core, Denny Triangle and Belltown are getting to full! At first I thought it was a good thing and then I looked at the traditional Seattle skyline, the CBD. And that's when I changed my mind...

The CBD looks perfect, buildings are spread apart which balances the skyline even though we have that slope! And I looked at the North part of downtown and saw this confusing mess, you could not even see through it and most of those buildings were small, random buildings that only make the skyline denser. They don't change the skyline, unlike the WaMu Tower, Columbia Tower, US2, or the City Center.

I'm not saying that the development is bad or that it should stop, but I just don't think about the Seattle skyline the same way I used to.

[mhays]

Heretic!

[=MATEO=]

Too Full? Never!

[mSeattle]

The south side of the skyline and the tallest buildings are nice show pieces but the street action is currently on the north side.

I would like to see more distinguished buildings on the north side, and I'd LOVE for a major, or two nice-sized minor parks, or a promenade to be developed in that area. However it isn't too full.

I'd love for the SOC (South of Columbia) to become a behive of activity and midrise buildings. More 5th & Madison style infill for the business district and south.

[Aleks]

I agree on making "SOC" more people friendly. I've said this many times before but I would love so see more development near Union Station, convert abandoned buildings in Pioneer Square into condo's [Pioneer Square has some beautiful buildings!], clean up the parks in that area, create a more pedestrian friendly Occidental Street with condo's and shopping, clean up and allow more development [specially residential] in the International District.

But the North part is in trend at the moment... Hopefully that whole area I talked about will get redeveloped soon. And I hope they go ahead with the plan for the Qwest Field parking lot!