West Seattle scene: Out with the old, in with the … old

Three months after we first reported that the six-years-vacant Chuck and Sally’s Tavern in Morgan Junction will be transformed into the new home of The Bridge, the project is entering a new phase – serious exterior work.

We’ve been noticing it all week, especially the upper row of windows revealed by the removal of some of the old siding. So we asked The Bridge’s Rita Dixson how things are going:

We are making great progress … we have re-habbed the transom windows that had been covered up for years – so nice to be able to restore some of the original architectural charm of the building! We are planning on breaking ground (today) or Friday for the kitchen foundations, as well as continuing on with re-vamping the exterior facade.

For a comparison, see the “before” photo in our May story. One of the renderings shown here in June shows how the revealed windows figure into things:

The Bridge is losing its current site on 35th just south of Avalon because of a mixed-use project (about 160 apartments and a roughly equal number of parking spaces, 15,000 square feet of retail) in the works for 4435 35th SW, which had a second Design Review Board meeting in June (WSB coverage here), four years after its first one.

neoyogi August 22, 2013 (1:02 pm)

It’s going to be such a nice remodel! Congratulations…that’s such a visible corner, it will make a huge impact.

quiz August 22, 2013 (1:02 pm)

Yes. I hope this sort of transformation infects the quick stop down the block…

WSB August 22, 2013 (1:27 pm)

Quiz – the city is still hoping to complete the purchase of that site for park expansion, though last time I checked they said it wouldn’t likely be complete till next year. Then, finding money for development would follow – not sure how long the business building would stay up …

petert August 22, 2013 (1:30 pm)

That indeed is a beautiful remodel, and a great continuation in the transformation of that section of California Ave SW.

Diane August 22, 2013 (1:59 pm)

who would have ever guessed those windows hidden under that siding? this may be the most beautiful remodel transformation ever in WS; well this, and the historic brick apts that were saved down on Alki

WSB August 22, 2013 (2:05 pm)

it was a pretty cool sighting. i have an even better picture from the other day before they tore out the front and am trying to find it!

Silly Goose August 22, 2013 (2:15 pm)

I gasped last week when I wheeled around the corner of Graham and saw these beautiful windows, so so thrilled this building is being renovated and the beauty is being uncovered from layers and layers of muck, plus no more walls saturated with cigarette smoke yahoo!!!
Simply beautiful work love it!

julia August 22, 2013 (2:41 pm)

I’m excited! love the bridge! And oh GOOD. MORE condos!!! >:(

BretM August 22, 2013 (2:53 pm)

yeah….we’re worried about the parking after they open though. they’re current location allows for substantial parking and if the build a patio like what they have now, there won’t be any parking.

michael ford August 22, 2013 (3:17 pm)

when is West Seattle going to say no re apts and condo’s. until they figure out how to make sure everyone going out of the area to and from work can do so without it taking hours as at is where West Seattle is headed if it is not addressed soon. As it is now we only have one main way in and out of the area. I’m glad that someone has taken over the old Chuck and Sally’s and are getting it ready to reopen as that is good for the area. I feel that the West Seattle area is loosing what West Seattle is by adding all of these new housing units with noway in or out other than the bridge going to I5 basically to get people to get to work.

T Rex August 22, 2013 (3:48 pm)

So far my wonderful neighborhood has been spared from the awful apartment BOOM that is happening in the junction. Zeek’s, The Feedback, The Belvedere have built well and kept the neighborhood pleasant. I certainly hope the Morgan area stays homey.

I saw thank you to the owners of The Bridge and welcome. You too will always get my business.

jolo August 22, 2013 (3:54 pm)

michael ford,

welcome to the “curse” of the growing city. you enjoy the “good” development such as this remodel, but deal with the increased crowds and traffic. west seattle is just one of the last seattle-proper neighborhoods to go through it.

oh yeah, and enjoy your increased property values (assuming that you own a place).

Me August 22, 2013 (4:23 pm)

Please no more park space!! The only people that frequent the current park space are the drunks and homeless.

old timer August 22, 2013 (5:00 pm)

So nice to see this space being fixed up and put to use.
I wish the new folks all the best and much success.

JW August 22, 2013 (6:03 pm)

Walked by the other day and looks like they have taken everything, in & out, down to the studs! That’s a substantial leasehold improvement. I hope they are getting some compensation or rent reduction from owner. You can bet I’ll support them any way I can for taking a dumpy eyesore and making it into a beautiful building that compliments the others in the Morgan Junction. Thank you, thank you!

pupsarebest August 22, 2013 (6:36 pm)

Great job!
I have never been in to The Bridge, but will happily patronize this new incarnation, if for no other reason, just because they’re laboring and investing to create and preserve something other than the tired cookie-cutter crap that pervades and prevails in West Seattle these days.

anonymous developer August 22, 2013 (8:35 pm)

I’m deeply disappointed this land isn’t being used to build another apartment complex. An apartment there would have gone a long way towards our quest in becoming Ballard. I’m very happy that the bridge has to move so that those beautiful new apartments will be put in at its current location. I really would like to see more of that. Every time a business fails or there is land for sale, I salivate and think of the possibilities at that location. I dream big, I dream apartments, I dream Ballard.

Debra August 22, 2013 (8:37 pm)

Love love love!!!

Kevin August 22, 2013 (10:53 pm)

It’s great to see a building dormant so long being turned into a accomplished business such as the Bridge. Rich in entertainment and social gathering ! Keep up the good work……

Paula August 23, 2013 (9:25 am)

THANKYOU BRIDGE FOR BEING A BUILDER OF WEST SEATTLE INSTEAD OF A DESTROYER FOR PROFIT.

dawsonct August 23, 2013 (5:05 pm)

Wow, it has been a long time since I have heard the bleat of “public parks are the cause of homlesness.” Maybe not since we voted down The Commons, which would have changed the face of S. Lk. Union forever, and would have simply served to make developers like Paul Allen and others a lot wealthier, and all we were going to get out of it was a huge park on the edge of downtown.
Sure glad we showed those fat cats a thing or two.

Hey lady August 28, 2013 (6:54 am)

Are red and black the real paint choices? Not very complimentary with that cozy stretch of California.

Truthteller August 28, 2013 (9:04 pm)

To Anonymous Developer, You are right on!! We need to develop, develop, develop. I think we should strive to be more like Phoenix with miles of strip malls and apartment complexes. I keep waiting for someone to take the big green field at Hiawatha and pack 700 apartments in there. Who needs green space? Then we can all scramble across the bridge in the morning like cattle in a chute. Awe the good life in West Seattle. Apartments and more apartments.
Lately with all the increased traffic on the bridge I remember my dad telling me when it was being built that the contractor was fined for using bad cement. I always wonder if it was true or not. Does anyone know? How many apartments are permitted to be built in West Seattle now? I lost track at about 1,700 counting the High Point development. Can you imagine?

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