March 2, 2021

Over 1,100 Bellevue units head into design review

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Renderings by JYOM [enlarge]

This perspective looks west at the proposed development, with its two tallest towers on the east side of the 4.5-acre site, closer to downtown.

Three years ago, the old QFC-anchored shopping center near downtown Bellevue traded for $145 million. Since then, a three-part plan has emerged from new owner Pinnacle International, of Vancouver, B.C., which has about 11 acres to develop. What the city calls Pinnacle North, at 10112 N.E. 10th St., has now entered design review under architect JYOM.

(Pinnacle South is south of 10th, where QFC is now; there's also a separate 101-unit midrise apartment plan, west of the two main sites, that will likely proceed first.)

Pinnacle North has split zoning, so the seven buildings would range from 26 to nine stories. That site has about 4.5 acres. The two tallest towers, with 25 and 26 stories, would be massed to the east, closer to 102nd Avenue Northeast.

Other numbers have shifted slightly. About 1,181 units are now planned, with 64 of those to be affordable to those making 80 percent of area median income.

Two levels of office space, within the four-story podium of the two main towers, would have about 60,000 square feet. A gym and swimming pool are also indicated in that podium

Three levels of underground parking would have about 1,570 stalls. Some of that would be for shoppers; another 54 structured stalls are also indicated.

A grocery is indicated with about 51,000 square feet, plus a drugstore with about 48,000 square feet. (QFC and Bartell might move from the south block before work starts there, but that hasn't been confirmed.) Other retail/commercial bays would bring that total to around 130,000 square feet.

Whether the project will be rentals, condominiums or a combination of both remains to be seen. For now, unit sizes run from around 610 to 1,300 square feet. Project size above grade is around 1.5 million square feet.

JYOM is an international firm, with offices in China and Vancouver, where Pinnacle has done most of its work. No local architect of record is listed. The team also now includes JGM Landscape Architects and international firm Ellumus; the latter two are designing the various landscaped areas, pedestrian connectors and central plaza — which is ringed by a driveway. The open space would total near 19,000 square feet.

Plans also list Insight Engineering, civil; EA engineering, SEPA consultant; PanGeo, geotechnical; and SLR International, environmental consultant

Pinnacle says it hopes to break ground next year or in 2023; construction for Pinnacle North would take about three years. An old office building and apartments (Le Chateau) would be removed before construction. Light rail service will begin at Bellevue Downtown Station in 2023, about a 20-minute walk east.

Pinnacle South, with a possible 1,089 units, will apparently be the third phase in the development. Its very early renderings and massing resemble the north block — meaning two taller towers, possibly including a hotel; and smaller companion buildings ringing a central green space.