Tag: Seattle

THE Spot to Spend Seattle Weekends

Thrillist recommends spending Seattle weekends at the foot of The Emerald! The Emerald’s premiere location at Second and Stewart places you in the center of downtown Seattle – just one block from the iconic Pike Place Market, steps from the waterfront and surrounded by the city’s best culinary and cultural destinations. The recent feature highlights several walkable spots within close proximity to our community which make it the perfect launching spot to explore Seattle whether a visitor or native that loves the city.

 

 

“Rising steeply from Elliott Bay, Seattle’s Downtown greets visitors to the city with a sample platter of its best features. From the culinary diversity and fresh ingredients of the iconic Pike Place Market, to the rooftop gardens, to the first Starbucks location  — the city takes pride in its open spaces and open attitudes. Seattle’s personality comes from its wide array of neighborhoods, but Downtown’s ease and convenience makes it an essential starting point for a weekend tour.”

 

Start with the below round up of ideas by Thrillist on how to spend your Seattle weekends. “Downtown’s ease and convenience makes it an essential starting point.” – Thrillist

 

Discover a Rooftop Garden at Fourth and Madison. Spend a sunny day in the garden. This rooftop garden is located on the 7th floor of the tower and wraps around three sides of the building. The patio is a lush, green retreat from the city below. Tables and chairs are situated throughout the garden area, perfect for lunch on a beautiful day. Enjoy up-close vistas of the Smith Tower and the Central Library and peekaboo views of Elliott Bay. The rooftop garden is open from Monday to Friday from 7 am to 5:30 pm and also features free Wi-Fi.

 

Visit the First Starbucks. This small shop in Pike Place Market offers visitors a peek at the history of Seattle’s hometown coffee chain, as nearly all of the original features are still intact. Admire the 50-year old original Starbucks sign on the front façade, spy the original Starbucks logo and fixtures inside this 1,000 square foot store. Purchase something from the modern menu at the original Starbucks and strike a pose, it’s an Insta-worthy location.

 

Lunch at Pasta Casalinga. One of Pike Place Market’s newer lunch spots, this tiny pasta shop offers an equally tiny menu. It always includes a lasagna and plain tomato sauce option, plus one each “from the garden, “from the ocean,” and “from the farm.” All of the offerings utilize seasonal ingredients — often from fellow Pike Place vendors — in a vegetarian, pescatarian, or meat option. The pasta shapes are specially chosen to highlight the flavors of local foods.

 

Mee Sum Pastry. Also located in Pike Place Market, this Chinese bakery stall makes more than 1,000 of their buns, also known as Hom Bow, each day. They offer versions baked or steamed, and stuffed with their unique curry beef, traditional barbecue pork, chicken, or vegetables. The buns share the deli case with almond tarts, sesame balls, wife cakes, and all kinds of other Chinese sweets and savories.

 

Ventures Marketplace. Located right below the famous fish throwers, at first glance this shop could be just another eclectic gift shop — something of which the Pike Place Market hosts a delightful variety. But here, your purchase of hot sauces, jewelry, lip balm, wallets, or incense goes even further: this is actually a consignment store for graduates from a non-profit business incubator called Ventures. The organization focuses on providing training and resources for people for whom those things are often difficult to access — especially women, people of color, and immigrants — and for many who go through the program, this shop is one of the first places they sell.

 

Olympic Sculpture Park. Covered in monumental artworks, this award-winning nine-acre sculpture park on the waterfront is Seattle’s largest downtown green space and is just one mile north of the Seattle Art Museum. The sculpture park offers monumental contemporary sculptures and breathtaking views of t​he Space Needle, Olympic Mountains, and Puget Sound. Stroll along a 2,200-foot path that zigzags from the pavilion to the water’s edge to tour the park and its surroundings.​

 

Take a Walk down the Red Hall at Central Library. Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas designed the city’s flagship library, opened in 2004, and it boasts floor after floor of public art, impressive open space, and 1.5 million books. But the fourth floor stands out, even among the many unique areas, because the hallway that loops around the floors, meeting rooms, and computer labs features more than a dozen different shades of red on the floor, ceiling, and walls. It’s the library’s most photographed section and shows off the intersection of art, function, and architecture that make this building such a beloved and significant part of Seattle.

 

Observatory Bar in Smith Tower. If you prefer your views with a craft cocktail, the iconic, world-famous Smith Tower satisfies. Whisking visitors up 35 stories, the Otis elevator introduces you to a Prohibition-themed bar that harkens back to the 1914 building’s early years. Stop by for happy hour and the stunning 360-degree views of Seattle from what stood as the tallest building west of the Mississippi until 1931. Take in the views from the elegant Observatory Bar as you sip local microbrews, barrel-aged cocktails, and bourbon flights.

 

 

Your Seattle adventures begin here. The Emerald is now over 50% sold. Onsite tours of our eight models homes and breathtaking amenities are available for tour by appointment. With homes starting in the $400,000’s, it’s the perfect opportunity to invest in a dream location or find your full-time home.

 

Image credit:  Photo by Tiffany Von Arnim/FLICKR

Call us Family: The Emerald is Neighborly

What happens when siblings share an affinity for stunning Seattle views, smart layouts and a stylish design? Well, they move in and call The Emerald home. Meet Alex and Sydney, new homeowners at The Emerald that just so happen to be family. Now that’s neighborly.

 

 

“Having family nearby has always been important to us. After having spent the majority of the pandemic quarantining together at our family home, we realized living in such close quarters again felt comforting and nice! Funny enough, our new homes at The Emerald are now actually closer in distance to each other now than our rooms in our family home! We look forward to planting roots here and creating many more memories together exploring one of Seattle’s most beautiful waterfront neighborhoods.” 

 

Good neighbors are easy to come by when you call The Emerald home. As it turns out, Seattle itself is quite neighborly. In fact, a recent report from OfferUp ranked Washington State as the ‘Most Neighborly Place in the United States’. States were ranked based on six essential factors that pretty much epitomize what it means to be a good neighbor, including communicativeness, friendliness, generosity, honesty, punctuality, and reliability. Washington ranked number one in all six of those factors for the second year in a row. The Emerald City also came in first place as the nation’s most friendly city, varying in factors – ranking #1 for generosity, #2 for communicative, friendly, and honesty, and #3 for punctuality – all together averaging out in first place among cities nationwide!

 

We asked our sibling duo to describe how the two came to be neighbors at The Emerald:

 

“Our mom actually found it first! She was doing some casual searching and came across one of the listings on Zillow. I immediately fell in love with what I saw – the pictures were stunning and it just seemed like such an elegant building. Brooke took us to several units and showed us the different amenities, all of them being top tier. However, the Olympic Room was what blew us away – we grew up in the area so we’ve seen quite a bit of it but our whole family agreed it was one of the most spectacular views in Seattle we had ever seen. 

 

The views are what really sold us – we knew immediately that we wanted to be a part of the community at The Emerald. Choosing the exact same floor plan as Alex was just a coincidence!”

 

…and since good neighbors extend beyond our building, we asked the duo about some of their favorite retail neighbors just outside our doors:

 

“I’ve recently been heading over to Belltown! They have great places to eat. I really liked Some Random Bar, it has pretty cocktails and a cute little patio to sit out on! It is also a pretty active area on the weekends. There is something for everyone: restaurants, casual bars, cocktail bars, and even clubs! I love that it is within walking distance and I don’t need to pay for expensive Ubers”, says Sydney.

 

Pike Place has been pretty busy the last few months and it has been fun to see the city filled with people again. My favorite shop is the Truffle Queen. They have artisan black and white truffle products. To my surprise, they even had my favorite truffle chips that I’ve only ever found in Italy!

 

One of The Emerald’s most exciting amenities has to be its unique partnership with The Thompson Seattle. The hotel is a staple for downtown Seattle with an incredible ambiance and rooftop. It truly can be seen as an extension of our waterfront backyard. From the valet service to the secret owner’s menu at The Nest, we can’t wait to enjoy the many perks that come with The Thompson being directly across the street.

  

Now over 50% sold, The Emerald’s community has come to life. Move-in homes are available. Join us for a virtual or in-person tour of the collection of seven luxury model home residences, located on the 24th floor of The Emerald’s 40-story tower featuring unrivaled views and access to an array of amenities, all within walking distance of Pike Place Market and the Seattle waterfront.

Get Rolling Around Seattle

The Emerald’s premiere location at Second and Stewart places you in the center of downtown Seattle with dozens of public transportation options, from light rail to buses and electric bikes, it’s an ideal place to live surrounded by the city’s best culinary and cultural destinations. And it just got easier to get around on two wheels!

 

 

The new 4th Avenue protected bike lane through downtown Seattle is officially complete. Crews completed the final sections of the new protected bike lane with connections to the broader Center City Bike Network in and around downtown Seattle. This protected bike lane now runs uninterrupted along 4th Avenue from Vine Street in Belltown down to Yesler Way in Pioneer Square. The protected bike lane not only separates people biking from moving vehicles, but it also separates the signal phases for all users, meaning drivers won’t need to yield across people walking and biking to make left turns.

 

“This change will help reduce collisions and make the walking, biking, and driving experience more comfortable and predictable,” SDOT states on its blog.

 

There is a bicycle-specific green light with a green bike icon to let bikers know when to go, but SDOT says they should still look both ways before rolling through the intersection. Drivers will have a red “no turn” arrow when it’s green for bikers.

 

Future plans include connecting a new 2-way bike path along the Seattle waterfront near The Emerald that will serve commuters, visitors and families. The bike path will have raised buffers on both sides to separate people biking from people walking and driving, and it will include accessible traffic signals at pedestrian crossings to ensure a safe experience for all. People riding bikes on the existing Elliott Bay Trail near the Olympic Sculpture Park can join the waterfront bike path at Bell St, continuing down to join the existing Elliott Bay Trail at S. King Street.

 

The Emerald offers secured space to store your bicycles. Located on parking level 1 (P1), residents will enjoy 92 bike spaces just beyond the elevators which require a key fob for entry. Want to utilize the new bike lanes but don’t have a bike? BikeShare lets you borrow a bike for a quick errand, a trip to Link light rail, an all-day adventure, and everything in between. You pick up the bike-share bike closest to you, ride it to where you want to go, and leave the bike for the next person to ride. Bike share in Seattle is currently run by one private vendor, Jump. The fastest way to start riding is to download the company’s app, and follow the instructions provided.

 

Hop on two wheels and enjoy a bike ride from The Emerald to these inviting spots:

 

Take a 1.3 miles bike ride over to Climate Pledge Arena on the protected bike lanes and utilize the safe bike lockers inside the 1st Avenue N. Garage, which you can access using your BikeLink Card. There are also 170 short-term bike racks on the arena plaza and nearby.

 

Enjoy the quick ~3-minute trip to Westlake Park, located at 4th Avenue and Pine Street, which features a fountain, games, open seating, and rotating food trucks.

 

Looking for a longer scenic ride? Layer up and take 4th Avenue about a mile down to Olympic Sculpture Park, popping into La Parisienne for a treat on the way.

 

Follow the Elliott Bay Trail through Myrtle Edwards Park as you try to spot eagles, gulls, and crows, through Centennial Park taking in views of Elliott Bay, Mount Rainier, and Olympic Mountains.

 

For a longer ride pedal all the way to Elliott Bay Marina at Smith Cove Park – a great spot to take in seasonal colors. In the autumn, crimson trees are brilliant against the turquoise waters and Seattle’s skyline shines.

 

You can bike there! Come explore life at The Emerald and see for yourself why so many have decided to make our prime location their home. Residences are move-in ready, we invite you to contact us to schedule your private in-person or virtual tour.

A Grand Tour inside The Emerald

The Emerald is more than 50% sold and has now welcomed many homeowners to a prime location that enjoys the best of downtown and Seattle’s revitalized waterfront – just one block from Pike Place Market offering over a hundred unique retailers and a local farmers market. We’re excited to release a new video tour that takes the public on a unique first look inside the building amenities and model homes.

 

 

The video tour, led by Brooke Kavieff, opens with an introduction to one of Seattle’s newest residential towers, a glistening 40-story glass building with 262 signature residences rising above an iconic downtown address at Second and Stewart. The collection of modern high-rise condominiums includes studios, 1-bedroom, 2-bedrooms and 3-bedrooms plans and boasting amazing amenities spaces and first-class hospitality. The partnership with Columbia Hospitality, a Seattle-based hospitality management and consulting company, allows an exclusive experience for residents which includes specialty lifestyle perks and concierge amenities such as package assistance and services; when you’re out of town, they can check on your residence.

 

A striking architectural statement designed by the Seattle-based female led duo Julia Nagele, Principal, Director of Design – Architecture at Hewitt Architects and interiors by local interior designer Susan Marinello of Susan Marinello Interiors, The Emerald offers a variety of floorplan options ranging from approximately 579 sq. ft. to 1,189 sq. ft. with a price range from the $400’s up to $3 million.

 

 

The tour starts on the 3rd floor, an amenity level which includes features such as the state-of-the-art fitness center, yoga studio, dog run, dog wash and The Emerald Guest Suite. Next, Brooke leads us to the 24th floor model homes decorated by ASH Staging and Derive Design, describing how each may fit your individual view preferences and lifestyle needs.

 

First up, Residence 2401, a 2-bedroom, 2-bath NE corner unit, is an entertainer’s dream with incredible views North, East and West. Brooke points out that prospective homebuyers and Brokers are always surprised by the variety of views enjoyed by the building’s unique layout.

 

Next, Brooke takes us inside Residence 2404. This 1-bedroom with a den is a rare find in the Seattle housing market. The living room and den both have water views with a sliding glass door divider, the perfect fit for a Work-From-Home (WFH) dream.

 

Brooke leads viewers through Residence 2406 pointing out that this 1-bedroom, west-facing home has incredible water views across Elliott Bay all the way across to West Seattle. It’s the perfect home to enjoy a glass of wine and watch the sunset behind the Olympic Mountains and over West Seattle.

 

Residence 2407 is a highly coveted 2-bedroom, 2-bath, NW corner home with grand kitchen and sweeping views to Elliott Bay and Olympic Mountains. Available on floors 17 – 33. The den is like a tree-house in the sky with iconic views down Second Avenue to Smith Tower.

 

Off to the 39th Floor, the gem of the Emerald, where you will find the Olympic Room with its 3-story tall, all-glass amenity space showcasing all of the iconic views of the region: The Olympic Mountains, the Cascade Mountains, Mt. Rainier and Seattle’s Space Needle. The space was designed for tranquility and to maximize enjoyment of the views with sliders that open to Rainier Terrace.

 

On those sunny days, residents may venture outdoors onto Rainier Terrace, with glass barriers all the way to the ground, allowing you a rare bird’s eye view of Pike Place Market and to hear a game at Lumen Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks in the distance.

 

Additional amenities on the 39th Floor include The Emerald Veranda where residents and guests can watch a game outdoors on the exterior TV next to the fireplace, and visit in the open-air under heaters. The Emerald’s City View Room is a reservable rooftop indoor/outdoor space with sliding doors that open to a private outdoor picnic area. Here residents will enjoy Chefs grade appliances – an amazing space to entertain, especially in the evenings set to a stunning city skyline backdrop.

 

We hope you enjoyed the video tour and we look forward to inviting you inside for a personal tour of the special spaces real soon. Follow along on Instagram @theemeraldseattle and watch a series of tours through many of our neighborhood places and spaces that shape our location at The Emerald.

The Emerald Reaches 50 Percent Sold

Downtown living is here to stay! On the heels of reaching the significant sales milestone of over 50 percent sold at The Emerald comes the news that downtown Seattle’s population has rebounded. The population of downtown Seattle hit a new high in 2021, as did downtown apartment occupancy, according to data featured in a new report from the Downtown Seattle Association.

 

 

“I think in many ways we overstated the impact of the pandemic on people’s behaviors and preferences, that have been trending toward urban places and walkability,” said Jon Scholes, president of DSA. “I’m not surprised by the data, frankly.” Both downtown Seattle apartment occupancy as well as rents have hit all-time highs in second quarter of 2021. The appeal of city living isn’t so easily snuffed out, according to the Seattle Times article. The growth of greater downtown has been remarkable over the past decade. ESRI’s estimates show the population has increased by 60% since 2010, when the population was just 62,000.

 

Despite the news that Amazon will delay its return to work until 2022, downtown Seattle sales continue to be swift. Following record sales with a successful first-half of 2021, totaling $50M in sales in the first two quarters of this year alone, The Emerald’s continued transaction velocity confirms its position as the city’s fastest selling and most attractive downtown residential high-rise available to buyers in today’s current market, as recently reported this update on The Registry Pacific Northwest Real Estate.

 

“The Emerald represents the very best of what Seattle has to offer,” said Dehlan Gwo, Director of Marketing and Sales for Create World Real Estate, developer of The Emerald. “Our buyers are purchasing a timeless piece of the city and are eager to plant their roots in the heart of our thriving downtown. We look forward to continue leading downtown’s revival and excited for our new owners to call Seattle’s waterfront home.”

 

The Emerald’s remaining private residences comprise a variety of floor plans including studios-, one-, two- and one-bedrooms with dens starting from $434,000. Featuring the finest finishes, residences offer wide-plank European White Oak hardwood flooring, custom wood cabinetry with integrated lighting, and quartz counter tops. Residences also include spacious walk-in closets, Latch touchless and keyless entry technology for seamless and secure access, and floor-to-ceiling glass window allowing abundant natural light and incredible views.

 

 

The Emerald is also currently selling its exclusive 22-residence penthouse collection offering two-, three, and four-bedroom single-story residences up to ~3,948 square feet ranging from $3M to $10.9M. Located on the uppermost residential floors 34 through 38, each penthouse boasts over 10-foot floor-to-ceiling windows, hand-selected premium materials including natural stone slab countertops and backsplash, natural stone floors, and custom wood cabinetry with integrated lighting. Kitchens come fully equipped with appliances by Miele including a premium refrigerator with custom panelized door, gas cooktop, black and stainless-steel wall oven and top-performing dishwasher with custom panelized door. Thoughtfully designed bathroom suites feature natural stone, radiant heated flooring, and full-height natural stone showers with glass enclosures. Top-of-the-line fixtures include cutting-edge Dornbracht polished chrome bath and shower fittings alongside custom wood cabinetry and sleek Kohler soaking bathtubs.

  

“The Emerald has experienced incredible interest both locally and nationally from buyers seeking pied-à-terre to first time homebuyers,” said Josh Nasvik, Managing Director at Polaris Pacific, The Emerald’s sales and marketing team. “Downtown Seattle continues to be one of the most desirable neighborhoods for luxury condominiums in Seattle and has proven to be a resilient market in the past year. We celebrate this momentous sales milestone which signals the comeback of downtown as people recognize that now is the time reinvest in the city.”

 

Located at Second and Stewart, The Emerald offers in-person or virtual tours of its eight new model homes in downtown Seattle, schedule yours today by contacting us at https://theemeraldseattle.com or call 206-429-8903.

Make it A Market Day with Insider Tips

The Emerald’s premiere location at Second and Stewart places you in the center of downtown Seattle – just one block from the iconic Pike Place Market. Pike Place offers nine-acres of world-class shopping, fine dining, fresh ingredients and more. The Market is made up of 500+ small businesses. Whether you visit The Market daily or have never been, you are sure to discover something new.

 

 

Pike Place Market Foundation nurtures a thriving Market and community. Established in 1982 to uplift the charter of Pike Place Market, the foundation partners with, as well as operates and sustains, a network of programs and services to support residents, workers, families and neighbors of the most famous market on the West Coast. As the person who knows the famous market better than most, the foundation’s Executive Director Lillian Sherman gives us the inside scoop on her favorite summer happenings at the Market including Sunset Supper at Pike Place Market, Unexpected Productions, and Eighth Generation. Peruse more tips for making the best of a trip to nearby Pike Place Market.

 

Unexpected Productions. Seattle’s longest running improv theater, the Theatre Sports Improv show is great for a laugh at The Market Theatre and right next to the famous Gum Wall. Every Friday and Saturday catch Theatresports. Based on audience suggestions, two teams of incredible improvisers rumble, creating exciting fast-paced improv games, hilarious stories, scenes, and songs right on the spot and in the moment. Boo the judges as they award points to each team. At the end of the night, one team is declared a winner, the audience member with the suggestion walks out with a prize.

 

8th Generation. These inspired natives — not “native inspired” — recently reopened their store at Pike Place Market. Eighth Generation provides a strong, ethical alternative to “Native-inspired” art and products through its artist-centric approach and 100% Native designed products. Look for the neon hummingbird!

 

The Can Can Culinary Cabaret. Can Can returns with a 2-month festival of glitter, gowns, and glamour in an all-new home – just down Post Alley from Can Can’s infamous, former, secret underground lair. Glitter Gala runs from August 5 – September 26. Tickets will be in high demand!

 

Sunset Supper at Pike Place Market. On August 20, the Party of the Summer is back and reimagined! Marking its 25th year, the outdoor dining event allows attendees to support and taste bites and sips from a wide variety of Seattle restaurants, breweries, and distilleries. The evening celebrates the 114th Anniversary of Pike Place Market and raises funds for Pike Place Market Foundation’s Recovery Fund.

 

Pasta Casalinga. One of the best places for Italian in Seattle, this favorite spot includes handmade pasta dishes that transport you to Italy with fresh Market ingredients mixed in. Lillian loves their “Everyday” dish, Lasagna alla Boscaiola. Open Thu – Sun from 11am to 4:45pm.

 

Sosio’s Produce. Grab fresh produce from Sosio’s Produce. This is the oldest produce stand at The Market and Mike is a wealth of knowledge about what’s in-season and best to accompany any meal. Monday-Saturday 5:00am-5:00pm, Sundays 5:00am-5:00pm.

 

In addition to the above top picks, keep your eyes open for exciting things at The Market including the Market to Table Tour complete with cooking classes and dining in front of Pike Place Market’s iconic Public Market Center Clock and Sign. For the very first time, visitors can grab food or drinks from any of the 30+ eateries and restaurants to enjoy in two new public seating areas on Pike Street and Pike Place. The new seating areas include wooden picnic tables, umbrellas and are sectioned off with white fencing. Both seating areas are open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They will remain open through Labor Day weekend.

 

When you shop The Market, you are supporting generations of families and local business owners, so shop, eat and support local just outside your doors at The Emerald.