Nov 25, 2016

Urban Commercial Partners

Elrod

Smith

Suarez

The firm formerly known as EHI Real Estate Advisors has a new name: Urban Commercial Partners. It was founded in 2003 by Patrick Suarez as an brokerage and advisory firm, and specializes in real estate acquisition/disposition, development and land sourcing. The firm named two new partners: Drew Smith and Jason Elrod. Together the three have over 40 years of experience in commercial real estate. Recent deals include representing Goodman Real Estate in the $11.8 million purchase of the 156-unit Brierwood Manor Apartment in Everett. The website for the firm is urbanseattle.com.

Seattle Economics Council

Olsen

The SEC meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 7, will include a talk called “Housing Affordability in Seattle” by Skylar Olsen, chief economist at Zillow. The UW-trained Ph.D is the author of “A House Divided: How Race Colors the Path to Homeownership” and the creator of Zillow real estate indices and metrics including the Buyer-Seller Index and the Buy-Rent Breakeven Horizon. The event is at noon on the 40th floor of the Seattle Municipal Tower. Registration and other info: SeattleEconomicsCouncil.org.

Matt Dillon

After closing his Pioneer Square restaurant Bar Sajor in July, Vashon chef and restaurant entrepreneur Matt Dillon has reopened a new venture in the space at 323 Occidental Ave. S. Copal is a Mexican-themed bar and eatery at the corner of South Jackson Street. Dillon is also known for Sitka & Spruce, Bar Ferd'nand, The Corson Building and London Plane (a neighbor to Copal). Samis is Dillon's landlord in the 1890 building. Tacos are on the menu.

NAIOP Washington State

Everything you always wanted to know about Lincoln Square but were afraid to ask — that's the gist of NAIOP's “Defining Moments” program for December. It is at 7 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, at Bellevue Hyatt Regency, with a panel discussion by Tom Abbott of Colliers, Richard Leider of Trinity Real Estate and Jim Melby of Kemper Development. Kemper revived stalled plans for Lincoln Square in 2003. Those plans began in 1998 with a different name and developer (Westbank). Kemper Freeman is expanding the mixed-use project along Bellevue Way with office space, apartments, retail and a W Hotel in two new towers. Event registration and more info: naiopwa.org.

Schnitzer West

Schnitzer West announced a new partnership with Washington Athletic Club at Madison Centre, the 37-story office tower now rising at Fifth and Madison. Madison Centre will have a fitness and wellness center operated by WAC. Founded in 1930, the WAC has never operated outside its space at 1325 Sixth Ave. Madison Centre is scheduled to open next June, with Davis Wright Tremaine as a prime tenant.

CREW

Commercial Real Estate Women Seattle & Sound will hold a December talk and networking event called “How to Pioneer Your Career in the 21st Century.” The speaker will be attorney Julie Benezet, formerly with the global real estate team at Amazon, now the author of “The Journey of Not Knowing: How 21st Century Leaders Can Chart a Course Where There Is None.” The event will be at Washington Athletic Club starting at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 8. Register at crewseattle.org or by calling (206) 417-5580.

Lane Powell

Seidenstein

Lane Powell said Counsel to the Firm Julie H. Seidenstein was named the King County Washington Women Lawyers Chapter 2016 Volunteer of the Year. Seidenstein is an active volunteer at Mary's Place, which supports homeless women and families.

Seattle Public Theater

Seattle Public Theater is making some leadership changes. After 16 years as artistic and education director, Shana Bestock is leaving. Associate Artistic Director Kelly Kitchens will be interim artistic director and Charlotte Tiencken is the new interim executive director.