Looking over the Edge...
Part of this evening's summer solstice was spent taking in the sights (and the food) over at The Edge Condominiums' open house. At four stories and 30,000 sqf, the building dominates the northwest corner of Sprague and Division in the old Western Soap Building. Truth be told, we were skeptical of this building as a condo conversion, but it works. The place has been stripped down to nothing but concrete and brick for all nineteen of the units. All are unique, including two that are two story lofts with massive windows. And the views are pretty sweet as well. With the building perched up on a basalt ledge and the four stories the view is unobstructed in all directions. And trains to boot!
Great slideshow - the project could have a great feel in them if decorated correctly.
Posted by: Travis | June 22, 2007 at 09:34 AM
Now all they need to do is, at the very least, build a pedestrian bridge over the train tracks so there will be easy access to the campus!
Posted by: rob | June 24, 2007 at 12:21 AM
Bridge over the tracks? How about a bridge over Division? Great building, but it's greatest fault is that it's located on the wrong side of an aging highway. If the U-District and development east of Division really want to fly, Downtown's "great divide" needs to be made pedestrian-friendly.
Posted by: Rick | June 24, 2007 at 05:09 PM
You are a wise man Rick. Division has the reputation as the ugliest thoroughfare in the state, although I'd nominate South Tacoma Way as the worst. Yes it needs to be pedestrain friendlier. How about some tree plantings along Division and Sprague Avenues also. Street beautification starts with trees. Then people will feel like strolling, at least long enough to get to the U District.
Posted by: Jim | June 24, 2007 at 08:04 PM
Who knows, maybe with this sort of reinvestment even the porn shop next door will vanish?
Posted by: Spencer Grainger | June 24, 2007 at 09:54 PM
If the porn shop vanishes it will probably have more to do with the fact that its owner was brutally murdered while working there last week.
Kudos to RenCorp for announcing a condo project in an historic building and actually completing it. Quickly.
Posted by: Jon Snyder | June 25, 2007 at 09:37 AM