Construction progresses on highlands townhouses
July 5, 2011
Homebuilder Pulte Homes has started construction on the $20 million Sunset Walk project in the Issaquah Highlands.
Plans call for Sunset Walk to feature 70 two- and three-story townhouses ranging from 1,460 square feet to 2,055 square feet. Sunset Park is located near the neighborhood.
Groundwork on the 5.86-acre project started in early June. The developer estimates model homes could be ready for tours as early as January.
“Issaquah Highlands is one of the most sought-after places to live in the area, one of the last true master-planned communities, and Pulte Homes is thrilled to become part of it,” Frank Anderson, Pulte Homes vice president of land acquisition, said in a news release. “Adjacent to a beautiful park, in a diverse and thriving community, with great schools, and close to high quality employment — this neighborhood is a terrific fit for people looking for a great new home community in the Northwest.”
Highlands mastermind Judd Kirk leaves Port Blakely
July 5, 2011
Judd Kirk, a visionary behind the Issaquah Highlands urban village, is due to depart from highlands developer Port Blakely Communities on June 30.
“Judd has brought an extraordinary breadth of skills and experience in community building, real estate and sustainable development to Port Blakely Companies,” Port Blakely Communities President Rene Ancinas said in a statement. “His creative ideas and collaboration with public officials, builders, residents and so many others helped create the successful community we have today.”
Following the long-planned move from Port Blakely, Kirk plans to serve as a consultant in the real estate industry.
Kirk served as Port Blakely Communities president from 1990 through December 2008, and later as senior real estate strategist for the company.
Judd Kirk, highlands mastermind, to leave Port Blakely
June 28, 2011
NEW — 9 a.m. June 28, 2011
Judd Kirk, a visionary behind the Issaquah Highlands urban village, is due to depart from highlands developer Port Blakely Communities on Thursday.
“Judd has brought an extraordinary breadth of skills and experience in community building, real estate and sustainable development to Port Blakely Companies,” Port Blakely Communities President Rene Ancinas said in a statement. “His creative ideas and collaboration with public officials, builders, residents and so many others helped create the successful community we have today.”
Following the long-planned move from Port Blakely, Kirk plans to serve as a consultant in the real estate industry.
Kirk served as Port Blakely Communities president from 1990 through December 2008, and later as senior real estate strategist for the company.
Homebuilder starts construction on highlands residences
June 8, 2011
NEW — 2 p.m. June 8, 2011
Homebuilder Pulte Homes has started construction on the $20 million Sunset Walk project in the Issaquah Highlands, developers announced Wednesday.
Plans call for Sunset Walk to feature 70 two- and three-story townhouses ranging from 1,460 to 2,055 square feet. Sunset Park is located near the neighborhood.
Groundwork on the 5.86-acre project started in early June. The developer estimates model homes could be ready for tours as early as January 2012.
“Issaquah Highlands is one of the most sought-after places to live in the area, one of the last true master planned communities, and Pulte Homes is thrilled to become part of it,” Frank Anderson, Pulte Homes vice president of land acquisition, said in a news release. “Adjacent to a beautiful park, in a diverse and thriving community, with great schools, and close to high quality employment — this neighborhood is a terrific fit for people looking for a great new home community in the Northwest.”
Bellevue homebuilder purchases 48 Issaquah Highlands lots
May 31, 2011
Taylor Development, a Bellevue-based real estate firm, is joining Issaquah Highlands developer Port Blakely Communities to foster development in the Harrison Street neighborhood, a ritzy collection of custom homes perched on Grand Ridge.
The real estate firm purchased 48 lots in the neighborhood for $6.36 million. Taylor Development and Port Blakely announced the deal May 23.
The sale encompasses more than half of the lots along Harrison Street. The neighborhood includes about 90 home sites. So, far 35 have been sold, and of those, 24 are completed or under-construction.
The neighborhood features a panorama — on clear days, at least — of the Bellevue and Seattle skylines, plus the Olympic Mountains.
Bellevue homebuilder purchases Issaquah Highlands lots
May 23, 2011
NEW — 1:15 p.m. May 23, 2011
Taylor Development, a Bellevue-based real estate firm, is joining Issaquah Highlands developer Port Blakely Communities to foster development in the Harrison Street neighborhood, a ritzy collection of custom homes perched on Grand Ridge.
Taylor Development has purchased 48 lots in the neighborhood, and plans to work alongside custom homebuilders and homebuyers to complete the neighborhood. The companies announced the deal Monday.
“Issaquah Highlands is among the Northwest’s premier communities and the acquisition of a large number of home sites in the highly desirable Harrison Street neighborhood represents a key opportunity for Taylor Development,” company President Kevin Taylor said in a release.
The neighborhood includes about 90 home sites — 35 have been sold, including 24 completed or under-construction.
The acquisition is part of a series of construction projects planned, completed or in progress for the highlands.
Issaquah’s innovative zHome community to open Sept. 14
May 3, 2011
NEW — 10:30 p.m. May 3, 2011
The opening date is Sept. 14 for zHome, a groundbreaking cluster of carbon-neutral townhouses under construction in the Issaquah Highlands, the project manager announced Tuesday morning.
Construction is scheduled to conclude earlier, but the additional weeks should allow crews enough time to prepare the units for public open houses. The grand opening is scheduled on the same day as the Built Green Conference, a yearly gathering for building industry professionals interested in eco-conscious practices.
Plans call for tours to run from the conference at Pickering Barn to zHome in the highlands. Brad Liljequist, zHome project manager, announced the grand opening date.
The project is designed to produce as much electricity as residents consume — hence the zero-net energy name — and is meant to be a leader in energy and water conservation.
Construction crews also used a high percentage of salvaged, reclaimed and local materials to build zHome.
Come behind the scene at zHome to meet the experts
April 19, 2011
What is zHome?
When it opens this September, zHome — just east of the Issaquah Highlands Park & Ride — will be the first multifamily, production, zero-energy, carbon-neutral community in the United States.
Brad Liljequist
ZHome is a template for what 21st century, carbon-neutral housing looks like. It will use:
Zero net energy by balancing out its carbon emissions during the course of the year.
70 percent less water than a typical home.
Materials that come from some of the greenest sources possible.
Who is behind this project?
The city is spearheading the project. ZHome, however, is also a collaborative effort of several organizations and companies, including Ichijo USA, Built Green, King County, Port Blakely Communities, Puget Sound Energy and the Washington State University Energy Program.
Schools foundation to auction cookies, getaways at luncheon
April 19, 2011
Student-made cookies, restaurant gift certificates, Husky tickets and senorita-and-margarita parties are some of the many silent auction items the Issaquah Schools Foundation will present at the 13th annual Nourish Every Mind Benefit Luncheon on April 28.
“It’s the social event of the year in Issaquah, outside of Salmon Days,” foundation Executive Director Robin Callahan said. “Everyone you know is there. It’s just a really wonderful opportunity to reconnect with old friends.”
More than 900 people are expected to come, and the foundation is looking for more interested guests to sit at its tables and fill its coffers for education. The silent auction begins at 11 a.m., and the luncheon and presentation, hosted by emcee Sammamish City Councilman John Curley, starts at noon.
Guests are encouraged to pay $150 for their seat at the luncheon, but a donation of any size will be embraced by the foundation, Callahan said. The two Golden Apple Sponsors, Swedish Medical Center and Microsoft, have paid for the lunch, and Port Blakely Communities is the producing sponsor, so all tax-deductible donations will support education instead of footing the bill for the event.
The foundation supports education on many fronts, including robotics clubs at the district’s middle and high schools; financial literacy programs for every eighth-grader; VOICE Mentor Program; After School Homework Labs at every middle and high school; National Board Certification scholarships for teachers; and classroom grants.
Swedish Medical Center campus nears completion
April 12, 2011
The north wall of the Swedish Medical Center campus in the Issaquah Highlands is close to completion. By Greg Farrar
Campus serves as economic engine in highlands
Starbucks is coming to the Issaquah Highlands.
Only, rather than opening a shop on a street corner, the coffee giant is setting up inside the Swedish Medical Center.
