Feb 27, 2025

JLL finds $29M for Uptown hotel refi

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Developed in 2008, the 139-room Maxwell is a well-established presence in Uptown, and very convenient to Seattle Center. It's part of the Staypineapple group. Now JLL has announced a successful $29.5 million refinancing effort for the Maxwell ownership, which is related to the Diamond family (of Diamond Parking). Idaho Credit Union supplied the 10-year, fixed-rate loan. Jessica Mehra and Adrienne Andrews led the effort. The latter said in a statement, “We received robust interest from lenders drawn to the property's consistent performance and Seattle's resilient lodging market fundamentals. The credit union proved to be the ideal financing partner, offering certainty of execution and flexible terms that aligned with the sponsor's objectives.” Dina Belon of Staypineapple added, “Staypineapple, a hotel brand with 10 boutique properties throughout the U.S., is growing, and we wanted a lender that saw us as a business partner.”

Fairview Partners raises $75M toward debt fund

Rasmussen

Stemm

Earlier this month, Fairview Partners announced that it's hit a $75 million benchmark toward a projected $250 million debt fund. The Fund VIII, said Fairview in a press release, “Will target a diversified portfolio of senior secured private real estate loans, focusing on two underserved market segments: distressed debt and small- to mid-balance loans.” Fairview is led by Nels Stemm and Carson Rasmussen. The latter said in a statement, “These key commitments from our legacy partners reaffirm their confidence in our team and strategy. With a disciplined investment approach and proven history of results, we look forward to continuing to deliver on what we do best.” Ten past funds have totaled around $750 million, which covered nearly 500 real estate loans.

$1.5B Apollo-Bridge deal will be felt here

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Publicly traded investment giant Apollo announced this week that, in a deal valued at around $1.5 billion, it'll acquire Bridge Investment Group. The latter often loans to local developers, or partners with them, with recent examples including the new 368-unit Rook apartments (pictured), in Tacoma. Bridge partnered there with local shop One Trent. Apollo says the all-stock deal should close in the third quarter. It invests in all manner of assets. The Bridge deal will add to about $50 billion its current real estate portfolio. Apollo counts around $751 billion in total assets under management. The firm's David Sambur said in a statement, “We are pleased to announce this transaction with Bridge, which is highly aligned with Apollo's strategic focus on expanding our origination base in areas of our business that are growing but not yet at scale.”

Polaris Pacific gains new partner

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Residential broker Polaris Pacific is based in San Francisco, and has a Seattle office where it often represents newly built condominium towers. (One example: Spire, pictured.) In a joint announcement this week, Polaris and Urban Pace — based in Washington, D.C. — said they're now partnering. The combination now covers 62 projects in 14 markets, which are valued at some $5 billion. Paul Zeger will continue to lead Polaris Pacific. He said in a statement, “Clients gain access to a deeper pool of talent, technology and expertise. This expanded resource base allows us to provide more comprehensive solutions tailored to each project, whether it's a luxury development or a more affordable housing initiative.”

Kidder Mathews

Boring

Kidder Mathews announced last week that Daniel Boring has joined its valuation advisory services as a senior VP. He makes the move from CBRE. In his new post, says Kidder, “He will lead the firm's new service line for machinery and equipment appraisals nationwide and serve clients in his litigation, agricultural, and marine valuation practice.” Boring is returned to the fold. He explained, “I'm thrilled to return to Kidder Mathews, where I started my career as a broker and appraiser. It's an honor to rejoin such a great team.”

Rock Project Management Services

Fredrickson

Renton-based Rock Project Management Services hired Rod Fredrickson as a construction manager and inspector. Fredrickson has 20 years of experience in the construction industry on residential, commercial and public works projects. His project history includes roofing repairs and replacements, office building remodels, parking lot improvements, propane vehicle fueling station installations, commercial TIs, custom residential work, and marine terminal improvements. Rock provides owner's representative services to public and private clients throughout Washington, working on education, technology, health care, transportation, and municipal projects.

Fortive

Fortive Corp. has appointed Gregory Moore to its board of directors. This expands the size of the board from nine to 10 members. In addition, Moore was appointed to the Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee. He brings over 20 years of health care experience and a deep background in AI and digital transformation, as well as executive leadership and public board experience. Moore is an engineer and physician, board certified in diagnostic radiology, neuroradiology and clinical informatics. He most recently served as the corporate vice president of Microsoft Health & Life Sciences from 2019 to 2023. Prior to Microsoft, Moore served as the vice president and founder of Google Cloud Healthcare & Life Sciences from 2016 to 2019. He currently serves as a senior advisor to Gates Ventures and as an associate fellow at Stanford University's Center for Artificial Intelligence. Moore holds a PhD in radiological sciences from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a MD from Wayne State University School of Medicine. He also serves as a member of the board of directors at DaVita Inc. Fortive is a provider of technologies for connected workflow solutions across a range of attractive end-markets. Fortive is headquartered in Everett, and employs a team of more than 18,000 research and development, manufacturing, sales, distribution, service and administrative employees in more than 50 countries.

Feb 26, 2025

HKP Architects

Elliott

HKP Architects announced the addition of Karyn Elliott as the firm's new marketing coordinator and office administrator.

Elliott will develop targeted marketing strategies to enhance HKP's presence and strengthen connections with clients and the community and will oversee the firm's day-to-day operations.

Elliott brings a diverse background in administration, marketing, and community engagement. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Shakespearean Literature from Kansas State University and is currently pursuing her Master's in Library and Information Science from the University of Denver, with graduation planned for 2025.

Johnston Architects

Chen

Kuentzel

Booth

Davis

Flores

Johnston Architects has promoted Jasmyn Flores and Jesse Davis to associate. The firm has also hired Melissa Booth and Rob Kuentzel as project architects, and Christina Chen as office coordinator/designer.

Flores earned her Bachelor of Arts in Apparel Product Development with a minor in Interior Design from the University of Idaho. She joined JA in 2019 and leverages her expertise in proposal management, award submissions, graphic design, and website development to advance the firm's marketing initiatives. She has played a pivotal role in securing major projects and industry accolades, including the Postmark Center for the Arts AIA Washington award and multiple honors for the Winthrop Library. Flores is an active member of JA's Firm Culture and Social Responsibility Committees, and the DEI and Education Committee for SMPS Seattle.

Davis studied Sociology and Theology at Point Loma Nazarene University and earned a Master of Architecture from the University of Washington. He joined JA in 2020. He works closely with JA clients to design welcoming and inspiring spaces, including single-family projects in Twisp, Quilcene, and Kirkland. He volunteers on the AIA Seattle Committee on Homelessness, is a member of the city of Seattle's Columbia City Landmark District Review Committee, and is chair of JA's Social Responsibility Committee.

Booth earned her Bachelor of Design in Architecture from the University of Florida and Master of Architecture from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. She joins JA with over ten years of experience, with a focus on workplace and civic design, and several completed exhibitions globally. Her recent work includes the Moss Adams San Francisco Office and The Net Market Hall in Seattle. She currently serves as the project architect on the Pierce County Library System's new Sumner Library. She is also a member of the project team for the new library for Park County in Powell, Wyoming. Booth volunteers on JA's Social Responsibility and Knowledge Sharing Committees.

Kuentzel earned his Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Master of Architecture from the University of Maryland's School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. He joins JA with a decade of experience, including residential and mixed-use projects, managing permit submissions with entitlements including ECA exemptions, steep slope setback relief, and shoreline relief. Kuentzel is currently serving as the project architect and project manager for the new library for Park County in Powell, Wyoming. Outside of the firm, Kuentzel mentors architecture students at his alma mater and the University of Washington.

Chen received her Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Design from the University of Washington. She joins JA as the office coordinator, supporting business, marketing, and operations initiatives. She applies her experience in small business bookkeeping to assisting JA's business manager with invoicing and accounts receivable. As a designer, Chen supports project teams and contributes to the firm's marketing efforts through project research, graphic design, and more. Chen is a member of JA's Firm Culture Committee.

Marcy Naismith Design

Naismith

Marcy Naismith is excited to announce the launch of her own WBE-certified design firm, Marcy Naismith Design. With over 20 years of experience in interior design, medical planning, and lean design facilitation, Naismith specializes in creating innovative healthcare and senior living environments.

Holding degrees in Interior Architecture and a Master of Architecture, she takes a holistic approach that integrates spatial planning with design aesthetics, ensuring each project is both functional and visually cohesive.

Her user-centered philosophy creates spaces that foster positive experiences and meaningful connections. She has worked with prominent healthcare and senior living clients across the Northwest, California, and nationwide, tailoring each design to address regional needs and requirements. She offers her services directly to clients or in collaboration with other architectural firms.

To view Naismith's portfolio of work and learn more visit http://www.marcynaismithdesign.com.

RMC Architects

Langman

Joe Langman has joined RMC Architects as a design professional. Langman recently relocated to Bellingham from Exeter in south-west England. He received a Master of Architecture and Design from Aalborg University in Denmark and a certificate in Professional Practice at the AA School in London. Langman has been a British licensed Architect for 10 years, leading multifamily housing and healthcare projects, two of RMC's niches.

Langman is currently working on the Whatcom County Northwest Annex building, a 52,000 -square-foot two-story office building for Whatcom County Facilities that includes a double-height feature entry composed of cross-laminated timber.

Boise Cascade

Sikes

Boise Cascade named Nathan Sikes as its he new senior vice president of western operations for their Building Materials Distribution (BMD) division. In this role, he will be responsible for BMD's facilities and door shops located in the Western and Pacific regions. Since joining Boise Cascade in 2006, Sikes has held a series of key roles and progressive leadership positions in the company's BMD division. Most recently, he was the vice president of BMD sales and marketing. Before that he was the southwest region manager, branch manager, sales manager, and general line product manager. Sikes earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Texas at Arlington. He serves on the board of directors for the Lumbermen's Association of Texas. Boise Cascade is one of the largest producers of engineered wood products and plywood in North America and a U.S. wholesale distributor of building products.

The Matthews Group

UBS announced that The Matthews Group, an advisor team based in the firm's Bellevue office, has been named to the Forbes America's Top Wealth Management Teams – Private Wealth 2024 list and the Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams 2025 list. The 19-member team, led by Michael Matthews, Tyler Matthews, Melanie Matthews, Kathryn Sciba, Tanner Peelen, Kim Muska, Mandy Ho, Shawn Meeks, Renee Hawkes and Mike Bockner, have been entrusted with over $3 billion in client investable assets. Together, they provide a multi-disciplinary approach to delivering holistic advice to ultra-high net worth individuals, business owners, entrepreneurs and multi-generational families. The Forbes rankings, developed by SHOOK Research, are based on an algorithm of qualitative and quantitative data, including revenue trends, assets under management and compliance records. UBS is a global wealth manager headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, operating in more than 50 markets around the globe.