Hillcrest Breaks Ground at 9th and Yakima
A few of you have sent us emails in the last few weeks asking about apparent activity at 9th and Yakima (815 South 9th Street). The birds starting flitting about and someone came back with a story about apartments… Then, an email arrived in our inbox the other day with a few more details. Waterman & Company has started construction on a new, six-story, sixteen-unit apartment building called the Hillcrest. Work will continue into 2008 with leases starting in Fall 2008.
42 comments
B Broadweezy February 5, 2008
Not sure if its the gray overcast or leafless trees that makes the building look akin to socialist-era housing?
C Christine February 5, 2008
Now don’t exaggerate Broadweezy,
it’s a little bit nicer than that. A little bit.
C Christine February 5, 2008
Okay, I just viewed that PDF…it IS socialist-era housing. It perfectly matches the drab, concrete, “senior” farm next door.
What retail will go there considering the most local population? A scooter store? Medical supplies and a pharmacy?
C CA February 5, 2008
Not the prettiest building Ive ever seen, but at this point Im just glad to see people moving downtown. Increasing density downtown is now the most important aspect of our “renaissance,” in my humble opinion.
Relatively cheap, affordable housing downtown, sounds good to me!
A Andrew February 5, 2008
Its good to see density moving into this area. I wish there was more street interaction. 80% of the street is lined by a parking garage. I like the blue touch.
M Mary February 5, 2008
I wonder who their target demographic is. I predict they will be vacant for a long time unless the rental rates are modified. They should get their “Two Months Free” signs made now…
C Crenshaw Sepulveda February 5, 2008
$800 for a 422 sq ft studio, looks like the Villagio is in search of its idiot.
P Patrick February 5, 2008
Ha! considering OnSite just reported that Seattle just broke the $1000/month rental market with a less than 4% vacancy rate their prices might pull people south.
D drizell February 5, 2008
I would gladly pay $800 for a 422 square foot studio. You’ve got an unobstructed mountain view from the second floor and the Link is two minutes away on foot.
I’m not sure what you guys mean by “socialist-era” housing. Ever been to Germany, France, Sweden or any of the other socialist countries in Europe? Everyone always talks about modeling our cities after those in Europe: the mid-rise, walkable city. Villaggio would fit right in in Berlin, Paris or Stockholm. Not sure where the negative connotation is coming from. Perhaps you would prefer if downtown Tacoma looked like Tukwila?
G grubedoo February 5, 2008
The Villagio? Considering its name it should have a fancy water feature in front or at least a black-jack table inside.
D dni February 5, 2008
Man. I rented my very first 1 bedroom apartment for $175.00 a month….a long time ago.
J Jake February 6, 2008
Plus don’t forget they charge $75-100 a month for parking. I noticed some of them are giving incentives for parking as well.
C Crenshaw Sepulveda February 6, 2008
At 800 bucks a month it takes an income of 32k a year to pull off a rent like that. Works out to about 16 bucks an hour full time. And this is for a studio apartment, albeit “condo class”.
What has happened here in Tacoma is the elimination of a good many affordable apartments (albeit not “condo class”) that are being replaced with much higher priced units that will most likely go vacant for some time.
The Walker was a fine place to live before it went condo. Same with a good many other building that went condo. Perhaps it can be argued that what has hurt downtown the most is the fact the building were vacant for extended periods of time before they became “condo class”.
I want to ask the readers here, and please be honest, what has helped downtown more in the last year or so, all the condos going up or Puget Sound Pizza? In my book PSP has done more for downtown than all the vacant condo units have and with less disruption and expense. Not to mention tax revenues lost to the City via the 10 year tax abatements. Seems to me that PSP is probably contributing quite a bit in taxes to our city and state.
S Sassy McButterpants February 6, 2008
Crenshaw, you are so grumpy and fired up! love it.
You can still rent studios for less than $600/mo downtown. Sure, they smell a little uriney in the hallways, but it’s not the end of the world.
I think the new condos are very nice! As is the pizza. Must we choose?
M morgan February 6, 2008
I’m in shock because not too long ago I was renting a 3 bedroom house with full basement AND 2 car garage in north Seattle for $1,200 – and I thought THAT was crazy!
My first apartment – a cozy 2 bedroom in what is now the “North Slope Historic District” – was only $350.
My Tacoma, you have changed!
So, drizell… are you saying you are going to finally move to Tacoma?
C Crenshaw Sepulveda February 6, 2008
For some years I lived at the Ansonia on Tacoma Avenue N. The rent was absurdly low and I had a view from Mt. Rainier to Vashon Island from every room including the bathroom. A number of my friends of modest incomes lived there as well. There is no way today that my friends of modest incomes can afford any of these “condo class” studios and yet, at one time they could afford to live in the best that Tacoma had to offer. Not a whiff of urine anywhere.
E Erik B. February 6, 2008
You can still rent studios for less than $600/mo downtown. Sure, they smell a little uriney in the hallways, but it’s not the end of the world.
New apartments are usually more expensive. Many of the historical apartments in Tacoma which are run down used to be pricey when they were originally built.
Some UWT students are sharing rooms at Court 17 I hear. This place is at least 10 times nicer than the dorm room I had at UW which must have been around 200 sq ft. Plus, they have their own bathroom.
G gritcitygirl February 6, 2008
3-4 apartments at Court17 are rented by UWT students. Usually at the rate of 6 students living in a 2 bedroom apartment. Thats crazy. Dorm life aside, not many students, especially older ones, are willing to put up with that. Nor are they able to afford the apartment with fewer people.
I I'm for Change February 6, 2008
Maybe we should start reminiscing about how going to the movie used to cost a nickel and we had to walk to school up-hill both ways. Prices for new stuff goes up; bought milk, gas, food lately? Why shouldn’t housing? Maybe a person can rent now; work on getting rent control laws passed, and in 10 years will think they got a swinging deal.
Maybe these “high” prices will bring in people from other areas. It doesn’t do Tacoma any good to only have current residents moving around within Tacoma.
C CA February 6, 2008
As a city or neighborhood becomes more desirable, the rent goes up. Thats just how it works. Are some here suggesting the city put a cap on rent rates??
T Tacoma (A)roma February 6, 2008
“As a city or neighborhood becomes more desirable, the rent goes up. Thats just how it works. Are some here suggesting the city put a cap on rent rates??”
That isn’t how “it” works, its just greediness in action. And why wouldn’t you want a cap on rents? Are you a building owner?
I I'm for Change (for tacoma) February 6, 2008
That isn’t how “it” works,
How does “it” work then? Are desirable places desirable because building owners are greedy and rents go up so more people want to live there and so on and so on?
I’m fairly new to Tacoma-coming up to 4 years here. I hear people want Tacoma to change, to grow. Then something new happens and out comes the verbal sewage to be thrown on it. New restaurants – great, but their too expensive. New housing – stupid, we don’t need it & it’s too expensive. But gee, why then is downtown so empty.
Ok, yes. I can concede the 2 groups of people I mention above may not be the same. …and I’ve gotten off-track.
I’ve rented apartments for $400 in the past in places where now $400 wouldn’t get you anything. I have never moved from one rental location to another and paid less money (other then moving back to the mainland, but that’s a given – those greedy owners). I think “it” does happen – as times change, rents go up; sometimes they go down, but generally they go up just like most purchased commodities.
S Sassy McButterpants February 6, 2008
Supply & Demand, Tacoma Aroma. Even Seattle, (with their high level of involvement in rental issues and extra codes and all that) have not started throwing “rent control” around. I’ve never thought of myself as being conservative or anything, but eek!
Housing is supposed to be no more than 30% of ones income right? So if renting fancy brand new places downtown costs 900-1200/month that means in order to live on your own in a new place you need to be making $15-$20/hr right? Math has never been my forte, but I think that’s roughly ok.
When I was in school making $9-12/hr I had a roomate in an apartment costing $700/month. It didn’t smell like pee, but it wasn’t fabulous either. All the better with all the beer being spilled on the carpet.
When you finish school and get a real job (theoretically) you get the nice brand new apartment with a view.
Do I have this all wrong? There’s plenty of old stuff for the college kids and plenty of nice fancy stuff for my totally hot rich future boyfriend to live in.
R rich February 6, 2008
we still seem to forget that the core of a city, the downtown, is suppose to be strong, and high rent….it’s the way it goes folks……Look at NYC…look at Seattle, look at any city and you can’t touch anything in the central core for low rent…….there may be a few places, but not many…….of course doesn’t NYC have rent control?…anyways, I agree with the previous poster…..it seems that everyone wants change, but doesn’t want what comes along with it……and yes, it is all about Supply and Demand…..anyways, just my 3 cents….
C Crenshaw Sepulveda February 6, 2008
Yeah, overpriced apartments in downtown Tacoma are really scarce that is why they are so expensive. You can create the supply but apparently you can’t create the demand. This is not a case of supply and demand, this is more a case of if you build it maybe they will come.
E Erik B. February 6, 2008
When I was in school making $9-12/hr I had a roomate in an apartment costing $700/month. It didn’t smell like pee, but it wasn’t fabulous either. All the better with all the beer being spilled on the carpet.
The apartments are being offered at a discount because the lack of demand. However, it all works out. Plus, more supply of housing should lower cost in the end.
There were apparently too many condo being offered and now they are being offered as apartments which will bring a younger crowd which are not ready to buy anything yet. That may switch back and forth over the years, who knows.
As for the demographics, downtown has been disinvested for 40 years and has a lower average income than hardly anywhere in the city or county.
There are still a slew of apartment and condo projects on hold because it doesn’t make economic sense to build them so we are stuck with some empty lots for awhile.
T Tacoma (A)roma February 7, 2008
The Tacoma I have in my heart doesnt have studio apartments for $800.
But I suppose since I dont have a “real job” and obviously the more popular posters are given the benefit of the doubt then I will just concede this argument.
Maybe we can put our blue-collar ethics in a museum for all the yuppies to look at with nostalgia.
Done.
P Pete Weikel February 7, 2008
I’m for Change,
‘I hear people want Tacoma to change, to grow. Then something new happens and out comes the verbal sewage to be thrown on it. New restaurants – great, but their too expensive. New housing – stupid, we don’t need it & it’s too expensive. But gee, why then is downtown so empty. ‘
I’ve happily rolled the dice on Tacoma’s future. I believe in our destiny as a great city. We considered opening a restaurant somewhere warm, then looked around and sunk our roots at Stadium Bistro.
Among the wonderful, supportive, and progressive folks driving the new Tacoma train, there is an element that shoots arrows at anything new, upscale, or out of their provincial comfort zone. They make me grumpy. Business has to be profitable. Are there greedy business owners, sure. Are rents going up, of course. Do natural, organic, fresh ingredients cost $, yeah. I hear people who have never visited my restaurant say, ‘I saw the white table cloths and figured it must be expensive.’ It’s not, and we have table cloths only because I like them. Folks have told me they would pay more for fresh food made from scratch, but won’t believe me when I tell them they don’t have to. I’ve even been told they wouldn’t visit the Bistro because my website wasn’t good enough! I would like them to own their negativity, but God bless them anyway, they are still welcome at the Bistro :)
It’s enough to make me dream of a cocktail party where the cover charge is saying something great about the Tacoma renaissance…
My wife says I have to stop now…
S Sassy McButterpants February 7, 2008
Oh Tacoma Aroma, lets make up.
I am not an enemy of affordability, I’m just trying to be pragmatic. Optimistic! I didn’t mean to make fun of people who don’t have real jobs.
Also, for the record, most of the “blue color” folks I know make better money than the yuppies I know. Commercial Journeyman Carpenters Make $30/hr, Electricians & Ironworkers even more. Blue color does not mean poor.
I I'm for Change (for tacoma) February 7, 2008
Pete@31 –
Thank goodness you have rolled the dice on Tacoma’s future. I have too. Stadium Bistro is one of our favorites; it’s in our rotation and we always take out-of-towners there. Maybe we need to meet more out-of-towners…
P Pete Weikel February 7, 2008
Sounds good to me!
D dni February 7, 2008
Well said Pete.
What absolutely drives me about the human race is the demand for perfection, when perfection is an illusion. Sometimes posts on here remind me of mindless bullying gossip.
Its like asking you Pete, to staff and cook for 150 each night, but only 40 will guarantee they will show up; five of them will bitch about something that wasn’t o.k. to all their friends. Meanwhile, the happy folks will go home full and content and tell maybe 2 or 3 people of their wonderful experience. None of which will show up at your door for 6 months to a year. Meanwhile…your staffed, ordering and preparing for those 150 people that “might” show up, and trying to figure out how to stay in business throughout the very slippery slope of Tacoma’s “renaissance.”
BTW, love your place. I’m there at least once a week :) I believe that charity begins at home, and your in my hood.
E Erik B. February 7, 2008
Also, for the record, most of the “blue color” folks I know make better money than the yuppies I know. Commercial Journeyman Carpenters Make $30/hr, Electricians & Ironworkers even more. Blue color does not mean poor.
Yep. And those are all drop in the bucket compared to port workers.
Plus, teachers, city, county, hospital, construction and other workers needs a place to live downtown and the adjacent areas rather being forced to the suburbs which they have been for 40 year. There are certainly lots of empty lots for them downtown.
Downtown is still operating at about 30 percent of what it was 70 years ago.
M morgan February 10, 2008
It’s enough to make me dream of a cocktail party where the cover charge is saying something great about the Tacoma renaissance…
Actually, you might want to change into a private dinner club where saying something great about Tacoma is the password.
Like I don’t have enough projects… I would like to see a program where every single one of Tacoma’s 200,000 or so residents does ONE thing to make Tacoma better. It could be small or it could be big. Just ONE thing. Think how much better Tacoma would be! Think how much more INVESTED everyone would feel.
D drizell February 11, 2008
Pete,
We visited Stadium Bistro last night for an early V-Day dinner. The food was really good. I really didn’t expect the $189 bill, though. Part of the reason I chose your restaurant is you said the food was reasonably priced….I guess you meant “reasonable” as long as you earn at least six figures a year.
Also, the experience lacked the personal service you claim sets your restaurant apart. The hostess told us you were “too busy” to come out and meet the recipients of your special meal, even though only half the tables were occupied. The fact that the water girl always conveniently showed up any time our water glasses dropped below 9/10 full was a constant annoyance. And what’s with charging 10 bucks extra to sit next to the band? You can enjoy the music just as much sitting up front and you can actually hear the person sitting next to you.
In my opinion, Stadium Bistro is a good choice for that special meal. But as someone who identifies as upper middle class whose entire food budget for a month is about equal to one meal at Stadium Bistro, I won’t be making regular appearances.
D drizell February 11, 2008
My date and I both ordered the Vegetarian selection. Based on the prices of the other entrees on the menu, I figured it would be somewhere between 25 and 40 dollars per meal, which I found acceptable. Turns out it costs $65. We also bought the least expensive bottle of wine on the menu ($23). 65+65+23= $153. With tax it came out to $164. A 15% gratuity pushed it to $189. My previous record for a dinner date was $65.
P Pete Weikel February 11, 2008
Drizell,
Thanks for choosing Stadium Bistro for you pre V-day dinner.
You were seated at table 11, in the front dining room, and your ordered was placed on check number 568 at 7:39pm and closed at 10:18pm. You were not charged the $10 to be seated next to the band. The cover charge was posted on our myspace page, and at the entrance to the 2nd dining room where they set up, and all of it went to the performers. No one has complained about the cover for Ed Taylor. We reserve the front dining room for diners who wish to converse or conduct business. A tip jar is in the bar, and only those who request a seat next to the band pay the cover.
When you made your reservation for the 6 Course Tasting Menu, you told Cathryn you had viewed a sample menu on our website. Your 6 courses were created by Chef Pete and sous Chef Chad, just for you that day from the freshest ingredients and included:
Pear and Goat Cheese Salad
Fresh Butternut Squash Bisque with Curried Lentils
Roasted Eggplant, Red Pepper, and Baby Leek Terrine
A classic Caprese of tomatoes, basil, fresh mozzarella and olive oil
Asparagus Bundles wrapped in Leeks with Saffron Butter
An Oregano and 8 Year Old White Cheddar Risotto and Lavender Cream
Choice of Our Hand Made Desserts
$65 doesn’t seem an outrageous amount for a custom created, six course tasting menu. Similar menus at comparable restaurants usually are $75 to $90.
A custom vegetarian entree alone is between, $19 and $24.
My sincere apologies for not having the time to greet you personally. Sometimes I am forced to submit to the demands of the restaurant when I would very much rather visit with our guests.
Pete
B Brotha E February 11, 2008
Now I know why I eat meat!
D drizell February 11, 2008
Pete,
Just to clarify, I’m not a member of the “element that shoots arrows at anything new, upscale, or out of their provincial comfort zone.” I did say I’d gladly pay $800 for a 422 square foot studio way back in post #10.
I suppose if there had actually been a “custom vegetarian entree” on the menu, we would have ordered it. I also imagine that if your website actually put a price on the vegetarian sampler, like it does with EVERY OTHER ITEM, we may not have assumed like any normal person that it was on par with the other items on the menu.
G Gina February 11, 2008
The vegetarian tasting menu sounds divine — I will have to try it next time I come! As a mostly sponteneous diner (or lazy home-cook), the 24-hour advance reservation is my biggest set back.
Drizell, I’ve been to Stadium Bistro numerous times and, while they don’t have a vegetarian item listed on the menu, they have always been willing and happy to prepare something for me. Often fresh pasta with fresh veggies — one time with strawberries (sounds odd, but was strangely delicious). I believe that my vegetarian entrees have generally ranged in the $16-24 range and have been well worth it.
S Sassy McButterpants February 11, 2008
Hey boys,
Why don’t you guys exchange emails and hash this out in private? I don’t think I’m alone in starting to feel like a voyeur.
M Mary February 11, 2008
Re: Drizell @ 44
Here is the irony. I am so not one of those people willing to shell out $800.00 on a studio apartment. CAH-RAZY. I am willing, however, to spend my hard earned money at all of the fabulous dining establishments in and around my neighborhood. And I do. Also, I am not too proud to ask the price of things before I order them if the prices are not listed.
I am with Sassy on this one. Please hug it out between yourselves.