A familiar stretch of Pike/Pine has been listed for rent — but at least one existing tenant has no plans to leave. Listings for the retail and restaurant spaces at 910 and 914 E Pike were posted to Craigslist and commercial leasing databases this week. You know them better as art space The Square Room and longtime Pike/Pine restaurant survivor Ballet:
Rare retail or restaurant availability in the heart of the Pike/Pine corridor! Seattle’s most vibrant neighborhood, Capitol Hill, is comprised of dense residential and thriving commercial filled with exciting restaurants, specialty boutiques and convenience services. Close proximity to Seattle University, SCCC and the hospital district. Neighboring businesses include Via Tribunali, Poquito’s, Elliott Bay Books, Quinn’s and many more. Heavy pedestrian traffic both day and night. Excellent public transportation with easy access to downtown and the Seattle Business District.
910-914 E. Pike Street
* Character-filled brick building features wood floors and high ceilings
* Suite 910 is 2,279 RSF ($6,647/mo + NNN)
* Suite 914 is 2,589 RSF ($7,551/mo + NNN)
* Suites can be combined for 4,868 RSF
* Ideal for retail or restaurant use
* No bar or night club use allowed
* Available with 30 days notice
* Rental Rate $35/SF/YR/NNN
At this point, it’s not clear what’s next for the existing tenants. Our attempts to contact Ballet’s management have been, so far, unsuccessful. We had better luck with the Square Room’s Brian McGuffey who told us he has no plans to leave the space. “I have five more years here,” McGuffey said. McGuffey declined further comment.
The property is owned by Ron and Edel Amundson who bought the 1908 3-story masonry building in spring of 2007 for $2.4 million according to King County records. The Amundsons have been involved with properties around Pike/Pine and Broadway including the former fast food receptacle restaurant that is now Rancho Bravo.
Tenants getting the boot in Pike/Pine is nothing new but with the downturned economy, it’s been a relatively rare occurrence. Grey Gallery settled a lawsuit with its landlord over a dispute that followed the lounge’s loss of its 11th Ave lease in 2010. More recently, CHS has reported on issues that have arisen on Pike below Broadway where Rosebud is in a dispute with its landlord over unpaid rent and noise complaints.
As a more affordable restaurant option, the loss of Ballet from E Pike would surely cause some gnashing of teeth and a swell in the frequency and amplitude of calls that Capitol Hill — and especially Pike/Pine — has become a soulless, barren wasteland of gentrified yuppie blah.
The Square Room’s absence might be slightly less painful — it has transitioned to a by-appointment only arts gallery with eclectic but rarely updated window displays.
We’ll update when we know more about what comes next.
That area is starting to stay open pretty late. I am sure they want a business in there that also stays open pretty late. I am also sure they want some group or business to spend half a mill on improvements. I think Ballet should move and give themselves an opportunity to update their restaurant. I think they will be fine.
No No No No No No NO NO NO!!!!
I’m a little attached to Ballet. And I fear that a new space for them – even 30 yards away – will be a death knell.
I hate to disappoint you, so: The loss of Ballet would be yet another sign that Pike/Pine has become a soulless, barren wasteland of gentrified yuppie blah. !!!
(seriously, I’m crying here at the thought)
I also wish someone would FINALLY develop that building next door… I am so surprised there has not been someone to work out that space above Lobby etc… Would LOVE to see a loft remodel like the Mosler Lofts.
I have never heard that term before… I must admit after living on the hill for nearly 14 years….. I can agree that it has become a little yuppie… Hate to admit this but I think I may contribute… Ugh… Oh my…
Monique Lofts*
Why would the landlord care what time the business closes? I’m sure what’s going on in the same thing that always happens. New building owner comes in and tries to jack up the rent. $6600 + maybe $1k NNN. That’s a big number to cough up every month for a small business. These landlords that have the long, narrow spaces make me laugh when they think they can charge market rates for the whole thing. It may be 2300 sq ft, but really, how much of that can be practically used? The spaces are only about 20 feet wide.
We need a better Starbucks!
Oh and a gap store would be super awesome!!!
are the landlords going to fix up that crack ass building? Cause it’s a shit hole and not worth that amount of rent.
Square Room wouldn’t be missed since it’s appointment only now, but Ballet is one of TWO cheap food options in that area. (also, it’s damn tasty). Losing it would be BAAAAAAD news.
It’s one of the few REAL Capitol Hill restaurants left on the Hill, meaning it’s mainly for residents and not the yuppie bastards who descend every evening and all weekend.
If the landlord were to have a provision in the lease that makes the tenant pay a % of their take to the landlord, that’s why they might care if an establishment stayed open later. Open later = makes more $$.
Not sure if Ballet’s lease includes that though.
“Yuppie bastards”?
Wow, talk about painting with a broad brush.
That building would look great with some fresh paint and clean up!
thinking more about this…I’m guessing by “30 yards away” they mean taking over the former Oasis location? that could either stabilize a spot that’s previously been doomed (I don’t even remember the names of the places that were there before Oasis), or it could be the death knell for Ballet
@gen, Chino’s already has plans to move into that space
http://capitolhillseattle.com/2011/07/18/capitol-hill-fooddr
thanks for the reminder, I do recall reading that. Good luck to them (they’ll need it!).
I’ll go back to pondering what spaces are 30 yards away from Ballet – the tidbit space? another doomed location! – and trying to come up with a new cliche to use besides death knell.
Actually, one of the Tidbit owners was quoted here as saying that their business was good, they weren’t closing because it was a “doomed location”; they just wanted to pursue other interests. FWIW.