Pyramid Living

Most of us have seen the Smith Tower located on 2nd Avenue in Pioneer Square. In the midst of many of the low rise buildings and condos in Pioneer Square lies the Smith Tower, a 1914 Seattle Landmark standing at 42 stories tall. It’s named after its builder, Burns Lyman Smith and it has a phenomenal observation desk on the 35th floor. What most of us in Seattle didn’t know until The New York Times brought recent attention to it was that a family currently lives in the pyramid-shape penthouse apartment near the top of the tower. The Lahaie family, Petra Franklin, David and their two daughters, have a long-term lease in the 1,750 sf, two bedroom, two bathroom downtown Seattle apartment. After the building was renovated in 1998, Ms. Franklin decided she wanted to live there-and that’s exactly what happened. Belltown and downtown Seattle living can be found where you least expect it. It just takes a little effort to find to find a rental or for sale property.

-Image courtesy of planetware.com

The New Pioneer Square

Pioneer Square’s face lift has begun. From the Thursday art walks to the newest Saturday market, Pioneer Square continues to promote itself to bring more people to its district. Pioneer Square just launched a new market this weekend called “City Square”. The market included a couple dozen different vendors all selling crafty type items; some selling house ware, clothing, and even furniture. Local DJs spun a mixture of music that added to the markets uniqueness. City Square, which will continue every Saturday until September 25th, is just one part of the effort in revitalizing the area. It seems that after Pioneer Square’s long term tenant Elliott Bay Book Store recently moved (taking a lot of its customers with) there is a lingering impression that Pioneer Square isn’t a great place to do business. Yet, according to the local business owner s and residents of Pioneer Square, it’s a great place. I was showing a commercial space there this afternoon near Occidental Park, and the park was flourishing with people and artists. Decorations hung from the trees and spectators watched some sort of interpretive art and performances. One woman was dressed like a character from the 1900’s. She read from a book and paced back and forth along a red carpet. I was told she would be there pacing back and forth until she finished the entire book. People were free to join her and she would read pages aloud. Others were enjoying food and the local entertainment. Seems like a busy day in the park to me. Pioneer Square is doing a number of things to help bring life back into the area. Art work is being placed in the store front of vacant commercial spaces to help add to the areas creative mix of business. The city has applied for the main street program which will take effect this winter. Over all the businesses and residents would sure like to see it flourish like it did not so long ago. For more information on activity in Pioneer Square check out the new website. www.thenewpioneersquare.com

Thank You Seattle Police

There was an article in the Seattle Times today about Seattle Police Department doing a drug sweep in Pioneer Square with the intent of arresting 27 crack-cocaine dealers who have been repeat offenders. The months-long probe has the goal of getting the dealers off the street up to five years instead of arresting them and then seeing them back on the streets in a short amount of time. The sweep should help Pioneer Square clean up its image. The Elliott Bay Bookstore recently moved out of the neighborhood and the state of the neighborhood is believed to be one of the major reasons for leaving. In addition, the article regarding the drug sweep quoted a tenant of Monterey Lofts who said she witnesses drug deals daily. Hopefully, this will help people living in the area feel safer as well.