TACOMA Project Discussion

[jake840]

LUZON UNLOCKED

For local architects and history buffs, the six-story, 118-year-old Luzon Building downtown is a jewel.

Designed by Chicago architecture firm Burnham & Root, it was one of the first high-rise towers on the West Coast, the embodiment of engineering genius – sturdy brick shell, cast iron columns, and wood construction on the upper floors — that allowed the building to top out at a soaring height for 1890s Tacoma. It was an engineering model that would be copied, and opened the door to the future development of “skyscrapers.”

Read More at Exit133

Great Q&A with the developer and pictures of the inside of the buillding.

[Tacoma Boy]

Originally Posted by jake840

...For local architects and history buffs, the six-story, 118-year-old Luzon Building downtown is a jewel.

Designed by Chicago architecture firm Burnham & Root, it was one of the first high-rise towers on the West Coast, the embodiment of engineering genius – sturdy brick shell, cast iron columns, and wood construction on the upper floors — that allowed the building to top out at a soaring height for 1890s Tacoma. It was an engineering model that would be copied, and opened the door to the future development of “skyscrapers.”

Read More at Exit133

Haven't heard anything more on the permit.

I'm glad it looks like the Luzon is still a go. One thing I love about T-town is that we have a bigger stock of turn of the century buildings downtown than most other cities in the greater Puget Sound region do.
Not that I'm knocking the new, just that modern architecture tends to have no character. But I digress.
Too bad there is nothing new on that permit... however the article on Exit 133 repeatedly mentions a new building to go up next to the Luzon. Know anything about it Jake? You got better connections than I do.

Night Photography!

Difficult, but I love it. These are for your viewing pleasure:

Wells Fargo


Key Building


The Merlino, home of Beautiful Angle, The Grand Cinema, Corina Cake Bakery and Two Vaults Gallery


Park Tower Apartments. Built in the 1950s and retains it's Mid-century Modern stylings. Check out the lobby... you'd swear Fonzie would be at the front desk...


First Presbyterian Church

[Vashon118]

From the Ruston area (all from 08/30)...

The Commencement:













(As seen from the ferry)...



Point Ruston (any idea what this particular building is going to be?):

[jake840]

The first building at Point Ruston is the Copperline Condos


Pic from PointRuston.com

- 143 private residences
- 1, 2, and 3 bedroom homes
- From 793 to 3,061 sq. ft. of living space
- Spacious lanais & terraces, averaging over 300 sq. ft. up to an incredible 1383 sq. ft.
- Approximately 350 secured access parking spaces for residents
- Prices run between the $300's to over $2 million*

[Tacoma Boy]

From the 31st:



Thus begins for real the transformation of the old smelter site.
While I am happy to see something other than the ASARCO ruins and filth, it would be nice to see housing a little more affordable to normal folk. $450K is nothing in Seattle/Eastside, but this is Tacoma. Starting at $200 would seem more reasonable.

Regardless, here's today's updates:

Midtown lofts:



From the Downtown Tacoma Public Library



A bit of a better view from the Carnegie wing



Working hard



Dig the steel in the sun. I'd love to see a tower in town with stainless steel accents.



UWT auditorium
Just the one pic, I'll try again later for more

[mSeattle]

Very nice! I was wondering what that project was when I was there last. Didn't get close enough to find out. Now I know, "Midtown Lofts".

That glass down at the UWT auditorium compliments all the brick and stone down there.

[PacificNW]

I hear a rumor that Russell Investments is looking to purchase one of WaMu's towers in downtown Seattle instead of staying and building a new tower in Tacoma. This would be great news for Seattle but not so much for Tacoma...

[Vashon118]

Ruston area (all from 11/01)...

The Commencement:















Copperline Condos:

[Vashon118]

From 11/29...

Copperline Condos:





The Commencement:

[mSeattle]

The Commencement dwarfs its neighbors.

[Tacoma Boy]

Sorry for my being AWOL the last X months... life happens.

Anyway, on to a well-overdue update.

Pac Plaza this morning:





As you can see, PPlaza is moving along nicely.

Next up, the nearly complete 505 Broadway! The crane is gone, the scaffolding down. This building is hands down, the classiest building I've seen go up in Tacoma during my lifetime.
In the decades to come, this thing will look as good as it does now... unlike most of the condos built lately. Those will look as dated as shag carpeting and avocado appliances.






Bonus! Gray foggy day in Downtown T-Town


Lastly for today, Midtown Lofts. Scaffolding is still up, but the crane is long gone






I'll try to be back into the swing of things better.
More updates (hopefully) this weekend.

[urbanlife]

damn, I really hate UWT, every time I turn around they are adding a new building that looks much better than anything we have on campus down here at Portland State.

Some great little infill projects going on lately, good to see. Also good to see the small cranes being used, they are perfect for 8 stories and under, hope to see more of those in the future.

[Vashon118]

Ruston (all from 01/24)...

Copperline Condos:





Stack Hill:











The Commencement:

[glynnjamin]

Hey guys, looking at moving back to Tacoma. Got my eye on a place in the North End. Anything pressing that I should know about? How is the economy doing there? How are home foreclosures? How are jobs? Are you seeing an influx of businesses? Does Tacoma still have its independent charm or has WalMart finally taken over? Anything you could give me would help.

Also, any more talk about expanding the LRT? I remember when I lived there in 2005 they were talking about running it up around Stadium High or up 6th Ave. What is public transit like? Any better than it used to be?

[jake840]

I don't think to much has changed in North Tacoma in the past few years. There has been a lot of condo conversions. You will probably see the most change in Downtown Tacoma and the Hilltop area since 2005. Lots of new condos, apartments and new restaurants.

The economy is not too great. It isn't as bad as other places in the USA. There hasn't been a lot of big layoffs in Tacoma proper but it is still struggling a bit like everywhere else.

I think Tacoma (or Pierce County) is foreclosure capitol of Washington.

Tacoma is still pretty indpendent when it comes to small business. You don't see a lot of national franchises especially downtown. Lots of locally owned places.

Still no Walmart in Tacoma. I think the city made it pretty clear they didn't want one during the planned Fircrest Walmart fiasco a few years ago. Tacoma basically threatened to take services away from Fircrest if they allowed a Walmart to be built. Walmart ended up backing out.

The LINK light rails hasn't been expanded yet. In the vote last year that passed, Sound Transit is supposed to give matching funds for expansion of the LINK or for a seperate streetcar line. The city has been studying and planning for a streetcar line. From what I have heard the first line would run along MLK to downtown.

Not sure about buses. I know they are there and there are lots of routes but I think it is still thought in Tacoma that "normal" people don't ride buses.

I am sure if you liked Tacoma in 2005 you will like it even better now.

[glynnjamin]

Awesome, just what I was looking for.

Out of curiosity, how bad is Hilltop? I mean, by 2005, it really wasn't that scary any more but still had a lot of issues. I remember they were ripping out homes and building condos above the convention center. To hear that they may be bringing a streetcar to MLK makes me reconsider where I'd buy. There are some dirt cheap homes on MLK but, like Chris Rock says, "if you find yourself on MLK anywhere in America, RUN!"

[jake840]

There are still some problems up there but it has only gotten better over the years. I know of young professionals, business owners, cops, doctors, teachers, etc who live on Hilltop. There is actually a lot planned up there right now. On MLK alone there is plans for an office/retail building, market-rate apartment building, new large medical office, new mixed-use apartment/retail building. 2 of Tacoma's most popular lounges are up there, well one now because one closed for some reason but someone is opening one in its spot. They are planning an LID that would totally redo MLK with new streets, sidewalks, trees, lighting, etc. They are planning that to run with streetcar construction. The largest apartment building in Hilltop was converted into condos.

The area around 21st and Yakima Ave. above the UWT campus has seen some of the most growth in the downtown/Hilltop area. If you are into townhomes that would be the place to look. Prices range from $200k-$500k. The loop for the streetcar is supposed to go back down J Street 2 blocks from Yakima Ave. Though it could come down Yakima.

If you are looking at houses there are some great deals up there right now under $250k. Also TPD has said Hilltop has one of the lowest crime rates in the city if that helps.

[glynnjamin]

Thanks Jake. If I get positive news back from my job prospect, you want to find me a place?

Can someone link me to some sort of map that shows this LRT expansion? The TacomaStreetCar website has these generic photos of maps that are difficult to understand and makeout. I was looking for someone on SoundTransit but I couldn't find anything.

Living in Phoenix, I am about 15 steps from the newly completed LRT line and I think that having access to reliable public transit is important when considering a house. We have a condo in an old warehouse now and we have out grown it - tired of a life that must be lived indoors for 6 months of the year because of the heat.

You guys are awesome. Way more helpful than the Phoenix Dev. Thread guys

[mSeattle]

Originally Posted by glynnjamin

...tired of a life that must be lived indoors for 6 months of the year because of the heat.

And I thought our 3 months indoors for rain was bad.

[mSeattle]

BE Daily Blog

Apr. 27, 2009 at 12:50pm
Carpenters' union responds to Point Ruston allegations

Eric Franklin, communications director for the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters, responded this morning to allegations leveled at the union by Point Ruston developer MC Construction Consultants.

Last week, Point Ruston LLC filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters, Jobs With Justice Education Fund and individual representatives of both organizations. The lawsuit alleges that the carpenters' union and Jobs With Justice have violated federal labor laws prohibiting threatening activities, interfered with contractual relations and prospective business expectancies, trespassed, engaged in property damage and made false and defamatory statements regarding on-site environmental issues and the health and safety of working conditions.

Franklin began by categorically denying any involvement in property damage.

"Slashed tires, vandalism – in no way have we ever participated in or been party to that," he said. "That's completely false."

According to Franklin, the union became involved after MC Construction Consultants hired Rain City Contractors Inc. as a concrete subcontractor on the Point Ruston project. He said the company has a history of sub-par labor practices, including low pay and no benefits.

The union was first contacted by Rain City workers concerned about safety issues at the site.

Franklin and the union began an "Area Standards" campaign in an effort to protect workers at the site, as well as other construction companies from having to match Rain City's bids – a feat Franklin said can't be done while also paying workers a living wage and providing benefits.

"We in no way want to stop this gentrification, this redevelopment," he said. "But if they want to do it, they need to do it right."

More: Carpenters' union responds to Point Ruston allegations BE Daily Blog