‘For sale’ sign goes up at Alki’s vacant Shoremont Apartments

| Development | West Seattle news

Thanks to Pete Rowen for the photo – he’s one of several people who e-mailed this morning to share the news that the “For Sale” sign just went up at Alki’s vacant, vandalized, weed-ringed Shoremont Apartments (2464 Alki; map). As reported here a month ago, the bank that owned the site – once slated for ultra-modern condos – was taken over in April by the federal government; the city has continued to write up the site for various code violations, but the inspector told us that due to the ownership situation, that had been little more than “an exercise in paperwork.” We couldn’t find the new for-sale listing online so we talked with one of the agents listed on the sign; Steven Chattin tells WSB that the listing will be online in a few days – they’re “having a website built for the property right now” and it should be live later this week. (The website for the team that’s selling it is here.) He says there’s no listing price: “We’re going to do a call for offers on June 25th.” We asked if he knows whether anything will be done about the condition of the site in the meantime, and he said not to his knowledge – “it’s being sold as-is.” (Note: We will always disclose if we alter a photo beyond cropping/light adjustment – so please note that we blurred out a big black-paint tag that’s on one of the boarded-up windows in Pete’s picture.)

JBL June 1, 2010 (12:16 pm)

I can already picture it…Make it a McMenamins on Alki!

Alki Resident June 1, 2010 (12:31 pm)

YYYEEEAAAHHHHH! finally

Eilis Flynn June 1, 2010 (12:43 pm)

What about a boutique hotel? Anybody? Anybody?

LMA June 1, 2010 (1:43 pm)

I may consider it

kirsty June 1, 2010 (1:48 pm)

A hotel, pub, anything but what it is now! I once lamented it was going to be knocked down and turned into ugly shoebox shaped townhomes, but now I’ll take anything that isn’t inhabited by pigeons and mildew! (and who knows what/whom else)

LMA June 1, 2010 (2:42 pm)

it was nice apartments before rely nice ones, not sure what happened, so it may need lots of work ,would be nice to make it B&B

BobLoblaw June 1, 2010 (3:09 pm)

JBL — You are brilliant. I hadn’t even thought of that. Oh please oh please somebody tell the McMenamins folks.

squareeyes June 1, 2010 (3:15 pm)

How about a hostel?

Baba June 1, 2010 (3:58 pm)

How about a soup kitchen with the view? – too Depression like??? The post will probably get deleted anyway… Sorry, just trying to be realistic…:-(

Babs June 1, 2010 (4:55 pm)

Or even remodel it into 4/5 higher end unit apartments/condos would be nice – “just to save the old girl, save character vintage buildings on Alki.” Whatever works. Maybe some retail shops. I was in NYC recently, off of SOHO there was a old church turned into a more upscale shopping center. They retained all the character outside and managed to keep the inside somewhat intact with the glass-work and such. It had 3 levels and was open.

AnotherIdiotInWS June 1, 2010 (4:56 pm)

…and of course, how about Trader Joe’s? This would be a GREAT SPOT for a TJ’s!

Homelessinthejunction June 1, 2010 (6:33 pm)

The homeless would love to have it.

Oliver Little June 1, 2010 (6:44 pm)

I’m interested in helping to develop the building into a nw icon with a nw business. Mcmeniman’s is very good, but what about the Elysian or Elliott Bay? Why give up our local scene?

Near Alki June 1, 2010 (7:36 pm)

Such wonderful architecture…what a shame now. So sad, it does not take very long for the life to be sucked out of a structure when nobody cares, and it goes vacant and the disrepair mounts. This building once was a gem but now it’s lifeless.

Noelle June 1, 2010 (8:40 pm)

a school?

Mike off Alki June 1, 2010 (9:11 pm)

Well Mcmeniman’s is a great idea! If anybody has experienced their Portland area converted school with small pubs in the classrooms and a larger one in the cafeteria. Then there is the former metally ill grounds with a golf course and an 8 seat pub on one of the holes, another on a loading dock, a theatre with dining, and other pub rooms…each with their own theme. The management is creative and would do the building right! Elysian or Elliott would work it well too.

brian June 1, 2010 (11:03 pm)

McMens has a ton of money to do it and they know how to do it right!

Meghan June 2, 2010 (6:55 am)

If it penciled out, a small inn with a McMenimans is a brilliant idea! If anyone knows how to get this opportunity to their corporate office, please do so. It’d give W. Seattleites a place for their relatives to stay when in town (which we desperately need), as well as a waterfront hotel for out of towners. In LA, there are a lot of boutique hotels that were apt buildings. They are very popular because the rooms and bathrooms are relatively big and they have kitchens. Brilliant!!!

Will o the wisp June 2, 2010 (9:15 am)

Two words

Parking – there is very little.

Zoning – L2 perhaps but not commercial zoning.

bsmomma June 2, 2010 (11:15 am)

I was just admiring the cool architecture the other day and thinking what a waste. I would LOVE to own that and turn it into something cool! Not sure what. But it would be cool and you’d all love it! heehee. :) Maybe a cute bed and breakfast with a dining area open to the public, with some good beers, fabulous wines and foods from Trader Joes!

Kathy June 19, 2010 (9:18 pm)

My husband and I rehabilitated a 1911 home and considered purchasing this building if the price made sense. We looked around a bit and the roof appears to have structural damage (lots of water intrusion) and there is a LOT of mold.
As a preservationist it breaks my heart. What a cool old building that PB Elemental let rot. I think it would be too costly to save. We saw your site when researching the property. So sorry to tell the bad news.

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