For Wasatch Development, Washington Square Condominiums are only the first bricks to be laid in its 10.5 acre multi-phase project, known as downtown Bellevue’s Superblock.

The Superblock’s first phase of condos and townhouses have only set the stage for the rest of Washington Square’s multi-use luxury community. Future phases are planned to include office, retail, hotel and residential uses. These are expected to demonstrate the same thematic character as Phase I.

Remaining phases of the Superblock will provide an additional 1,500,000 square feet of all-encompassing living and working amenities and services.

“We view Washington Square as the transitioning point between all the residential to the north and the employment [to the] center of downtown,” said Troy Thompson, president of Wasatch Development. “As more and more people live and work downtown, they will be walking to Bellevue Square, the entertainment venues in Lincoln Square and beyond and to work. We will provide a very pleasant experience enhanced by retail at ground level and green park-like areas.”

This year, Wasatch will announce both plans for Phase II of the Superblock’s development and their construction timeline.

Separate discussions are underway which could jumpstart a third phase of development, bringing a continuing-care retirement community or CCRC development to Washington Square. Several local and national players are interested in partnering to build a 270-350 unit CCRC on the Superblock.

Although the original site plan is being altered, Wasatch’s goal remains to design a cohesively planned, unified, urban living space that encompasses all age groups. One of their goals is to create a greener aesthetic than typically found in Bellevue- one that gives the development a less imposing edge; for example, they plan no intimidating concrete streetscapes where heavy car traffic reigns. Site designers are also creating walkways which will bring residents through the superblock, with trees, shrubs, a fountain and other greenery to soften a city so far filled with glass towers.

Popularity: 15% [?]