December 30, 2025

With new architect, Cantera cuts Interbay industrial plan by half

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The planned use looks to be auto storage or service.

On the former Time Oil tank farm in Interbay, spanning some 11 acres, Cantera Development Group has successfully developed one self-storage project, while mulling other new buildings.

It applied for a land use permit this month for the next 4-acre phase of development, at 2805 W. Commodore Way. That three-building warehouse plan, now dubbed Salmon Bay South, has superseded the larger old five-building proposal once marketed as Ballard Locks Innovation Center.

The prior scheme, from Jackson Main Architecture, totaled about 180,103 square feet. The new plan, from Lance Mueller & Associates, offers about 75,155 square feet. The public comment period ends Dec. 31.

Before, when marketed by Cushman & Wakefield, the larger scheme had four-story speculative buildings for industrial, light manufacturing, office or even possible tech use. The new trio of buildings would all have one level, with no broker now obviously representing them.

The trio would be on the south, upland side of Commodore. The north side, on the ship canal, is a future phase for Cantera to sell or develop as a build-to-suit job.

A possible start for Salmon Bay South is indicated for next year, with no contractor attached. The build time would be around 12 months. The buildings would reach about 28 feet in height. The site, west of the new SecureSpace facility, is now mostly bare.

The trio would range from about 21,000 to 28,000 square feet. There are only a few hints as to their possible future use. There would be only 40 parking stalls (12 with EV charging), and the architect's SEPA filings says that only two to four people would be employed in the three buildings (our italics).

As to the traffic, says the SEPA application, “Salmon Bay South is anticipated to generate 12 new average daily trips, with two new a.m. peak-hour trips and two new p.m. peak-hour trips. Most new trips will be on weekends.”

The three buildings aren't configured as self-storage. All the exterior-facing bays would have large roll-up doors. Their use is mostly indicated as garage, plus three small office areas. So some sort of automotive purpose is indicated.

The team also includes Bush, Roed & Hitchings, surveyor.