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October 5, 2006

2200: New life for an emerging neighborhood

  • Hotel, condos and a Whole Foods store expected to draw thousands of visitors.
  • By ROBERT S. ARRON
    Vulcan

    mug
    Arron

    Just a few short years ago, South Lake Union still represented an emerging, predominantly industrial district on the cusp of major growth. Vulcan is working with the city and local community to redevelop the neighborhood into a vibrant urban center, attracting attention as one of the most exciting revitalization projects in the country.

    With the opening of 2200 this year, this vision is now becoming an undeniable reality — South Lake Union has arrived.

    Located in the heart of South Lake Union’s Gateway District on the corner of Westlake and Denny, the neighborhood’s signature project has already proven to be a cornerstone and catalyst for future development in the area.

    Image courtesy of Vulcan
    2200 has a large outdoor retail plaza for concerts, events or enjoying a lunch. The site’s steep slope allowed the project team to create multiple retail levels.

    Several new developments at each corner of this rapidly changing intersection and in close proximity to 2200 are either planned or under way, due in large part to the anticipated growth and activity coming from this property. 2200 alone will bring hundreds of new residents, create jobs and attract thousands of visitors.

    Mixed uses

    Spanning nearly 2.5 acres on an urban infill site located between Lake Union and downtown, 2200 will serve as a vibrant new lifestyle center featuring 261 condominiums, the Pan Pacific Seattle hotel, Whole Foods Market and diverse services, shops and restaurants.

    With each of the four corners of the project representing distinct yet complementary uses, 2200 will further energize South Lake Union by fostering a 24/7 urban lifestyle — unlike many neighborhoods that may be primarily commercial or residential.

    2200’s three high-rise towers anchor the 450,000-square-foot development. Leveraging the site’s unique sloping topography allowed the project team to incorporate multiple retail levels and design a major grocery store and parking underneath the development to optimize functionality.


    Location: 2200 Westlake Ave., Seattle

    Size: 450,000 square feet

    Grand opening: Early December

    Retail/restaurants:
    • 47,000-square-foot Whole Foods Market (opens November)
    • 46,000 square feet of additional retail. Announced tenants: Bank of America, Kelley-Ross Pharmacy, Bella Cleaners, Starbucks, Koot’s Green Tea, Seva Home, FK Kirsten and Scraps

    Hotel/condominiums:
    • Aria tower: 18 stories, Pan Pacific Seattle (opens November), 33 condos
    • Azur tower: 12 stories, 102 condos
    • Arte tower: 15 stories, 126 condos

    Project team:
    CollinsWoerman, lead architect; Hirsch Bedner Associates, hotel architect; Weber+Thompson, condo interiors; Turner Construction, general contractor


    2200 is also designed to enhance the shopping experience by incorporating shared gathering spaces for greater community interactions and overall aesthetic appeal. An expansive outdoor retail plaza atop a grand staircase — suitable for concerts, community events or simply enjoying lunch or a morning latte — will offer one-stop services against a backdrop of the Space Needle and downtown views.

    The luxury Pan Pacific chain will also open its first Northwest hotel at 2200, spurring greater economic vitality and diversity in the area. Hundreds of hotel guests will contribute new energy to the neighborhood, and nearby businesses can take advantage of convenient hotel amenities and resources for their employees, clients and visitors.

    The South Lake Union streetcar will also stop directly in front of 2200, providing access to the development throughout the day. With construction on the streetcar line already under way and expected to be completed as early as late 2007, the project will further embody the type of convenient in-city living that embraces a walkable, pedestrian-friendly atmosphere.

    New services

    Additionally, the arrival of Whole Foods will provide a premier urban grocery store for 2200 homeowners as well as neighborhood workers, residents and visitors. Beyond the store’s standard amenities, the new location will include several unique characteristics that complement the 2200’s mix of services.

    For example, concrete floors, tiled walls and the use of bright colors will lend a modern, urban aesthetic to the store’s design, while its configuration will cater to the specific needs of its customers — including several sit-down eating venues situated throughout the store.

    With several other diverse retailers and restaurants at 2200, the retail services are expected to cater not only to downtown and South Lake Union but also to Belltown, Queen Anne and Capitol Hill.

    Luxe life

    2200 captures the growing desire among everyone from empty nesters to families and young professionals for innovative mixed-use developments where you can walk to work, shops and restaurants, cultural hubs and recreational activities from home.

    Residents will be able to pop downstairs for groceries or dinner, drop off their dry cleaning and visit with out-of-town guests staying at the Pan Pacific — all within the context of a single project.

    Luxury hotel amenities will also be integrated into 2200’s condominiums so that residents can take advantage of the services of the hotel.

    2200 sold 90 percent of its condominiums less than a month after opening its sales center (all 261 condominiums are now sold out). The success of 2200 reinforces Vulcan’s vision for a vibrant South Lake Union neighborhood where people from throughout the region will want to live, work, shop and play.

    With the imminent arrival of 2200 as part of downtown’s evolving landscape, this vision is quickly translating into a real-world urban renaissance that sets the stage for Seattle’s status as a world-class city.


    Robert S. Arron is the director of marketing and leasing at Vulcan Real Estate.


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