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For first time in forever, developer planning a new Capitol Hill condo building

The Capitol Hill condo project will be a twin to this development already underway in Eastlake (Image: Build Urban)

They’re far from frozen but industry analysts claim Seattle’s rents have finally cooled. Want further proof? A Seattle developer has announced plans to pass over the lucrative rental market and take on all the risk — and, hopefully, all of the reward — of building a condominium building on Capitol Hill.

A planned six-story condominium development at 127 Bellevue E will be made up of 44 small, relatively inexpensive units you can buy, not rent.

“The plan is to provide affordable, walkable, sustainable housing in a city that has a shortage of inventory in core locations,” Ed Gallaudet, president of developer Build Urban, said.

The price of condominiums has surged alongside the costs of every housing type in the Seattle area. The average price of a condo in Seattle is $535,000, up $60,000 from May 2017, according to the Northwest Multiple Listing Service. In addition, during the same period, the median condo price has leapt 22% in King County.

The Build Urban units will start at $250,000 and could run a little less than $400,000 for upper level condos. A monthly payment for one of these condos could be roughly the same as that of an apartment’s rent.

The developers hope this project can act as a bridge to more stable home ownership in Seattle’s usually volatile real estate market.

“Our hope is that they provide a first step to home ownership for people in a very expensive city,” Gallaudet said.

CHS wrote about the property to be developed in the middle of a wave of land acquisitions across Capitol Hill as old homes were being snapped up at higher and higher prices with plans for multifamily housing.

Industry insiders have been waiting for a condo comeback on the Hill and across Seattle. In 2016, CHS wrote about expectations for the developments to return to favor and the likelihood of more conversions of existing apartment buildings into condos.

As far as conversions go, the 2008 housing market crash appears to have had a stifling effect. In 2007 1,626 Seattle apartments were converted into condos in 79 different buildings. In 2009 only 19 units were converted in two buildings.

One interesting wrinkle in the condo slowdown is covenants on many new buildings that prevent condo conversions for five years. The covenants, well-known to developers but perhaps less known to those outside real estate, mean developers can avoid a costly additional layer of inspections that goes along with new condo construction. With some of Capitol Hill’s most intense construction occurring within that time frame, it is possible some of those buildings may convert. As far as we know, the Hill hasn’t seen a conversion since 2009.

But new condo projects face a bigger financial hurdle: the Washington Condominium Act  basically guarantees a developer will face litigation over each and every project. Legislation to ease the act died in Olympia this winter under opposition including Capitol Hill’s Sen. Jamie Pedersen.

This is Build Urban’s first condominium project in Capitol Hill, and appears to be the first project of its kind in a neighborhood dominated by apartments.

Since the project is still in its early stages, developers haven’t had many formal opportunities to hear the input of the public, but Gallaudet says the idea has been “well received.” Build Urban is working on a similar project in the Eastlake neighborhood and say the project was approved by the design review board. No community meetings for this building are yet on the schedule.

“It’s still got a long way to go and we hope it continues to build momentum,” Gallaudet said.

The building will include common amenity spaces, such as a rooftop deck that will feature an urban garden and a panoramic view.

Architecture firm Workshop AD will design the 19,000-square-foot building.

Depending on the development process, Build Urban expects to break ground on the project in mid-2019. It is expected to be completed by the end of 2020.

 

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15 Comments
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Adam
Adam
5 years ago

Rooftop deck with a panoramic view?

There’s a big government housing tower immediately to the West, that will be a great view. Lol

Timmy73
Timmy73
5 years ago

Great to see purchase options coming back online in Capitol Hill for new construction – especially those that are affordable.

I hope they proactively implement bylaws that restrict the number of units one owner can purchase and do not allow short term rentals such as AirBnB’s.

Paul
Paul
5 years ago
Reply to  Timmy73

You don’t want to hear that when I first moved here condos on First Hill were about $50,000 and nobody wanted to live there. Ah, the good old days.

Ryan A
Ryan A
5 years ago

I feel like the lack of new condos is a story that could use more good reporting. The price point for these units is within the reach of a reasonable loan meaning condos offer a way for working folks to build equity while living in the city. Perhaps we should be thinking about reforming the Washington Condominium Act?

SteveD
SteveD
5 years ago

Really appreciate the included mention of the Washington Condominium Act in the post … we definitely need that to be changed if we want to promote more density _and_ ownership via condos.

Randy on Rose Street
Randy on Rose Street
5 years ago

I disagree. The problem is not the condominium act, the problem is the shoddy construction methods developer routinely used thinking they could pass the buck to buyers to take care of or live with. The WA Condominium Act was put in place because developers were unable to figure out how to build condos without significant defects, something that developers in other states have long ago figured out how to do. If developers aren’t able to figure out how not to use construction methods that are either not shoddy or not appropriate for a climate as wet as the Puget Sound, it should not be on the buyers to have to chase them down to get compensation. Apparently there is this new condo being built by a developer who apparently believes they are competent enough to build a building that doesn’t crumble to the touch as soon as the sale documents are signed, and good for them.

Timmy73
Timmy73
5 years ago

People seem to have forgotten condo sales in the 1990’s/2000’s where homeowners accumulated massive legal fees and/or assessments to repair shoddy construction and poor material choices.

Not only this developer, but others as well seemed to of figured it out. Condo’s go up in other parts of the city/region and don’t seem to be discouraged by the WCA.

btw
btw
5 years ago

“If developers aren’t able to figure out how not to use construction methods that are either not shoddy or not appropriate for a climate as wet as the Puget Sound, it should not be on the buyers to have to chase them down to get compensation.”
too many nots…

Paul
Paul
5 years ago

Reminds me of Vancouver BC’s infamous leaky condo towers.

Sue
Sue
5 years ago

Yet another old house, a piece of old architecture torn down to make room for an ugly modern boxy building crammed with micro apartments. Way to go, Seattle!

Neil
Neil
5 years ago
Reply to  Sue

Such is life

Too bad we don’t still have dirt roads and crap in a bucket

Mutha Mary
Mutha Mary
5 years ago
Reply to  Neil

Sue is bemoaning the loss of craftsmanship, not pioneer days, Neil. No need to be a dick. The trees on the lot will also be a loss. But yes, we need more “affordable” places to live.

Paul
Paul
5 years ago
Reply to  Neil

Agree with Mutha Mary.

RWK
RWK
5 years ago
Reply to  Sue

I agree with you in general, but I’m not so sure the house in question is especially worthy of saving. Also, the units in this development will not be “micro apartments,” they are condos, which presumably will be more spacious.

Adam
Adam
5 years ago
Reply to  RWK

They certainly won’t be spacious. 44 units on that single lot in 6 stories can’t be more than 500 square feet or so. My guess is all studios.