May 20, 2026

Kemper backs BAM building sale to KidsQuest

Photo by Lara Swimmer [enlarge]

The museum building, pictured when new in 2001, could reopen in 2029.

Bellevue Arts Museum closed two years ago, concluding a 77-year-history in that city. In 2001, it moved into the distinctive red building at 510 Bellevue Way N.E., which was custom designed by Bremerton native Steven Holl (now based in New York).

After experiencing repeated financial crises over the past two decades, then the COVID-19 pandemic, BAM finally entered receivership last year. It was announced last fall that the receiver would sell the vacant building for $5 million to fellow nonprofit KidsQuest Children's Museum, which is now based a few blocks to the north.

That deal closed this week. Public records indicate a $4 million loan from an LLC associated with Kemper Development, which has long been a backer of BAM and a major philanthropist in Bellevue. The BAM building is tucked between larger pieces of Kemper's Bellevue Collection, aka Bellevue Square and Lincoln Square. And Kemper long ago acquired the air rights (development rights) above the three-story BAM building.

Photo via KidsQuest [enlarge]

KidsQuest’s current Bellevue home, from 1992, is destined for future sale and demo.

KidsQuest said last fall that it would seek to raise $60 million in a capital campaign also to cover the building purchase and renovation. The latter might cost $5 million to $10 million, per KidsQuest's assessment of the building's overall condition. No new plans have entered the city review process.

(Update: KidsQuest says it is working with Jill Randerson Exhibit Management and Johnston Architects, with plans for a new suite of STEAM exhibits.)

As-is, the BAM building has about 39,044 square feet of usable space. It features a large two-story entry atrium, and has a few decks. Besides the exhibition space, there are back-of-house and office areas. The building, built by Sellen, also has two levels of underground parking. And it's a short walk west from Bellevue Downtown Station.

Depending on how its capital campaign goes, KidsQuest anticipates a possible move in 2029. That would be from its current home at 1116 108th Ave. N.E., near the library. It acquired that small building, once a private doll museum, in 2015. KidsQuest was founded in Factoria a decade earlier.

Eventually, KidsQuest will sell its old home on 108th, on the corner of Northeast 12th Street. That parcel offers 25,089 square feet and DT-R zoning, meaning possible midrise apartments could one day follow.