Thanks to Andrew and Kevin for the demolition pictures
Empty since the Twilight Exit moved to E Cherry in 2008, the old abandoned bar at 2051 E Madison has been torn to bits in the past week as work finally has begun on long-planned development in the area.
The land is being cleared for a long-delayed six-story, mixed-use development with 96 residential units and 6,711 square feet of retail at ground level across the street from Safeway. The building will have parking for around 80 vehicles and a 400 or so square-foot dog run on the roof.
The project is part of activity in the works and stalled for more than five years to create a set of apartment developments on both sides of E Madison where Chocolate City and the Twilight Exit once called home. We’ll have more soon on the plans for the area, why the projects were stalled for so long and what comes next soon.
Twilight Exit, in the meantime, has survived and thrived following the move to E Cherry.
Oh em gee will this property also be ran by Blanton Turner?
That’s always been a dicey neighborhood and a dicey block. I was house/dog sitting on 22nd and heard gunshots from that area on several occasions before Twilight Exit made its final exit.
I look forward to shopping at “Fat Note”
When the original renderings were available for the Twilight Exit corner, I thought they were attractive but I especially liked the old Deano’s location new buildings drawings, the staggered and indented silhouette in my mind was very striking. I don’t suppose, after the long delay, when the Deano’s block is built, it will end up looking quite as exotic.
Hell, the tenants left those places eight years ago. Pretty long delay, no?
So happy to hear this is finally moving! I walk up Madison between these two lots every morning and have always thought they’ve contributed to the sketchy-ness feeling of the hood (especially at night). Also great to hear it’s from a great developer. (Related CHS article: http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2009/04/development-news-old-deanos-site/
Also, can’t wait for the empty lot across the street taken care of! Dat chain link fence keeps falling over.
To (other) Andy:
1) The area was MUCH sketchier when Deano’s Bar and Grocery (occupiers of lot on N. of street) were there and functioning. Sketchy as in 25 (I counted them) dealers and hookers on the streets next to the bar and store. And crowds in the street at closing time, shootings, and (surprisingly few) murders. Customers being “serviced” on residents’ back porches were not unheard of.
2) It appears from the DPD website that Jim Mueller (developer who bought and planned the properties) has sold them to a group from Santa Monica (sure CHS will soon know more). DPD site suggests they will build the permitted, planned structures. Don’t know if Jim is still involved.