“I just bought the old #mercedesbenz #signage on east pike as they were demoing!! #capitolhill #seattle #history” — @Phaltron via Twitter

The walls and glass are smashing down on yet another block of Pike/Pine as demolition — and preservation — work has begun at the site of the former Mercedes Benz dealership where a seven-story, mixed-use project will eventually stand on E Pike between Belmont and Boylston. What the project will look like, more on the staggering amount of Pike/Pine construction underway and video of giant Tonka toys in action, below.

CHS reported earlier on the latest swarm of construction activity in the neighborhood that has prompted long-timer Linda’s Tavern to introduce daytime “hard hat” specials for the crews toiling away on Capitol Hill.

The latest project will transform the former home of the Phil Smart Mercedes Benz Dealership (now resident in SoDo) into a seven-story, 250 to 300-unit development with 20,000 square feet of retail and parking for 300 vehicles — some of them likely to be Mercedes. The Ankrom Moisan-designed project will preserve a portion of the 1906-building’s street-facing walls and take advantage of the existing Pike/Pine conservation incentives currently being renegotiated by various developer and community factions. Across the street, another developer is planning to replace Phil Smart’s old garage space with a preservation-less project.

In all, the five most recently started projects will add around 900 apartment units and thousands of square feet of retail and restaurant space to a few blocks of Pike/Pine. They also are providing many Tonka-truck fantasy moments for curious passersby.

“What the 7-story development at 600 E Pike will look like”