A job trailer popped up on Tuesday morning, July 19, at the site of the old Safeway store on 76th Avenue S.E. And soon after, the old Safeway store that had become a town eyesore was gone.
It’s official — Synergy construction of Woodinville has been contracted to build the Aviara project, which will include 5,444 square feet of retail space, more than likely to include a restaurant, topped by 166 residential apartments, with 312 parking spaces below grade.
“It’s going to be a beautiful building, pretty fancy,” said job superintendent Carl Remick, who has been with Synergy for 19 years.
Synergy Construction was established in 1990 by Pamela Stewart, president, and Larry Stewart, executive vice-president. Synergy was honored nationally in 2009 as entrepreneur of the year, among many other awards, including this year’s Bill Petter Homeless Housing Advocate Award.
BRE Properties of San Francisco is the developer. James Spence with BRE is actually moving to Bellevue to keep closer tabs on the project, which could take 18 months to build. Spence said he has no idea what the rents will be on the units; that will be determined by the market closer to the completion of the project.
Right now, the tear-down is in progress. Remick said it took time to get going on the demolition due to paperwork and the utility process with Puget Sound Energy. Remick said the tear-down should be complete and the site prepared for construction in a couple of weeks.
Synergy is recycling whatever material they can, in keeping with a green philosophy.
The building, designed by Mithum Architects of Seattle, will be ADA accessible, with a height not to exceed 65 feet. Decorative paving along the pedestrian plaza and 76th will be further enhanced by a cascading water feature. The vehicle ramp on the south side of the site is closed and will be abandoned.
Prior to this project, the most recent multi-family projects have been the 7800 Condos and 77 Central, both in the town center, which were started in 2007. Aljoya House, a senior living facility across the street from Aviara, was started in 2006. Prior to that, Island Square and The Mercer Phase I, both apartment buildings, were started in 2004, along with Avellino Apartments at 29th Street and 78th Avenue S.E., as well as Newell Court Apartments across from the fire station.
BRE secured a long-term lease from Hynes Properties, LLC, a family venture that has owned the property since the 1960s. The Safeway store was built in 1967.
