What are they building? Massive Bellevue urban neighborhood emerging

For years, many have looked longingly at the old Safeway Distribution Center site in Bellevue’s Bel-Red corridor with visions of a grand future. At one point, it was even talked about as the potential home of a new arena. Now, the visions are becoming reality.

In this week’s edition of our series ‘What are they Building?,’ we look across the lake to one of the most ambitious new developments in the area.

Work has begun on the Spring District, a 36 acre mixed-use urban neighborhood. The 16 city blocks near the intersection of SR 520 and I-405 will ultimately feature commercial, residential and retail including hotels, restaurants and shops.

The complex is specifically designed to help tech companies attract and retain the world’s best talent, says developer Wright Runstad. The development is centered on a future light rail station which will connect Microsoft, to the east, and downtown Seattle, to the west.

“The emerging urban neighborhood will have over 5.3 million square feet of space in buildings ranging from six to 12 stories with supporting retail amenities. Two office buildings totaling 491,120 square feet will be completed in Phase 1,” the company says.

Work is set to begin soon on development of 309 apartment units on 2.5 acres as well, with occupancy scheduled for late 2015. A new urban park is scheduled for completion soon thereafter.

The $2.3 billion project is one of the largest urban development projects on the West Coast. Work is being done in phases, with the eastern and southernmost blocks developed in Phase One, including office and residential buildings as well as the central park space. Development will eventually move north towards the future East Link rail station.

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