Sep 15, 2016

Weidner Investment Services

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Kirkland's Weidner Apartment Homes said its multifamily property management arm completed a $21.5 million refinance deal for Colonial Square Apartments in Bellevue. The financing was arranged by the Denver office of NorthMarq Capital, one of Fannie Mae's Delegated Underwriting and Servicing (DUS) lenders. NorthMarq's Greg Benjamin and Mark Lindgren did the deal with Weidner Vice President of Finance & Acquisitions Ben Katon and Director of Acquisitions Kevin Colard. Weidner owns apartments in nine states and four Canadian provinces. The 153-unit Colonial was built in 1969 at 1616 156th Ave. N.E.

AIA Seattle

AIA Seattle will hold a panel discussion called “Growing a City: Density, Displacement and Policy in an Urbanizing Seattle.” The free event takes place at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19 at the Center for Architecture & Design, at 1010 Western Ave. Moderating the discussion will be freelance journalist Erica C. Barnett, of The Atlantic. Panelists will be Roger Valdez of Smart Growth Seattle; Alex Brennan of Capitol Hill Housing; and restaurateur Linda Derschang. The event is part of Seattle Design Festival.

Tiscareno Associates

Rendering courtesy Tiscareno Associates [enlarge]

Architect Tiscareno Associates says Simpson Housing has broken ground on phase two of Metro 112 Apartments in downtown Bellevue. It is at 288 111th Ave. N.E., and set for completion next year. The 60,000 square-foot, six-story building will have 57 units and below-grade parking for 21 vehicles. Residents will share a new rooftop terrace, fitness center and entertainment suite with tenants at phase two, at 317 112th Ave. N.E. Phase one was completed in 2013 after Simpson and Tiscareno converted 20,000 square feet of retail space to create 18 apartments and the amenities. Here is the team for phase two: W.G. Clark Construction, David Evans & Associates (civil engineers), Enayat Schneider Engineering(structural), Mandy Callaway (interiors) and Brumbaugh & Associates (landscape architects).

Sep 08, 2016

Kemper Development Co.

Image courtesy of Whole Foods [enlarge]

Next Wednesday, Sept. 14, Whole Foods will open 365 by Whole Foods in Bellevue Square. This is the third store in the chain's new line of smaller groceries that will focus on value-minded, grab-and-go shoppers. It will be in what's now called South Commons at Bellevue Square — on the former site of JC Penney. Kemper Freeman's family had a grocery in the mall during the early days, when it was an all-purpose family driving destination. The city now has more downtown residents, mainly single, who tend to buy smaller quantities.

Seattle Housing Authority

Abdi

Seattle City Council confirmed Mayor Ed Murray's appointment of Ahmed Abdi to a four-year term on the seven-member Seattle Housing Authority Board of Commissioners. Currently an outreach manager at Fair Work Center, Abdi has experience with SEIU 775, Somali American Public Advocacy Committee, Jewish Vocational Services and other organizations. He serves on the board of African Diaspora of Washington and replaces former resident commissioner Aser Ashkir. SHA owns and operates about 8,000 units at about 400 sites around the city.

Unico

Image courtesy of Unico [enlarge]

Building owners Unico Properties and Laird Norton Properties said Stone34 in Fremont, home to Brooks and other tenants, has been certified by the city’s Deep Green Pilot Program. Located at 3400 Stone Way N., the 128,000-square-foot office/retail building was developed and built by Skanska. LMN was the architect. It was completed and sold in 2014. After a year’s evaluation, Stone34 met or exceeded the Deep Green goals for energy and water use, and for stormwater reuse. Rainwater collected from the roof goes to a 10,200-cubic-foot cistern for non-potable uses. A separate vault collects stormwater from sidewalks and gardens. Being in the program increased the buildable area for Stone34 by 15 percent.