May 2, 2023

Adios, tacos. Vulcan starts prep work on 302 Bellevue units

Photo by Brian Miller [enlarge]

Rendering by Encore Architects [enlarge]

Now (above) and future, looking roughly northeast: The demo is done, and apartments will follow.

Bellevue's vacant former Taco Time met its demise in March, and the neighboring strip mall was also razed about the same time. Now crews from W.G. Clark Construction are doing some of the early ground and utilities work for Vulcan Real Estate's two planned Filament apartment buildings.

The eight-story duo, designed by Encore Architects, will eventually rise on two sites: west, at 200 105th Ave. N.E. (the strip mall side of the alley; and east, at 201 106th Ave. N.E. (the Taco Time corner). They are to have 302 units in total.

Both corners face south to Northeast Second Street and Vulcan's three West Main office towers, which now look to be about 99% completed.

There's no stated start date for Filament. A friendly worker said on Saturday that utilities relocation work is extremely complicated, and will take several months to complete.

After that, W.G. Clark has told its workers and subcontractors that shoring and excavation might — might — begin late this year. On that schedule, the Filament project could get above ground next year, with completion possibly in 2026.

Meanwhile, light-rail service may reach downtown Bellevue in 2025, so there's no great hurry. Vacant new office buildings leased to Amazon are the more pressing concern.

The two Filament buildings are also to have about 295 underground parking stalls and some 4,700 square feet of retail/commercial space.

The Filament team also includes EA Engineering, SEPA consultant; Karen Kiest Landscape Architects; David Evans & Associates, surveyor; Geoengineers, geotechnical; CT Engineering, shoring; Coughlin Porter Lundeen, civil; Bykonen Carter Quinn, structural; Vida Design, interiors; Rushing, MEP; and Bee Consulting, envelope.

Meanwhile, next door, there's no sign of activity for the fenced former Sushi Maru site. Bosa Development sold that 21-story, 77-unit condominium plan and land two years back to local investors. A squatter is said to have taken up residence there.