More new West Seattle businesses: MOD Pizza, BECU, 2 others signed for The Whittaker

The biggest development under construction in West Seattle, The Whittaker, has just announced four more commercial tenants.

The two-building mixed-use development at 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW has of course long since announced its first and biggest tenant, Whole Foods Market (opening in about a year, fall 2017, we’ve reconfirmed).

According to Weingarten Realty, joining Whole Foods will be:

MOD PIZZA – This chain was founded in Seattle in 2008 and has since expanded nationally; its story is here, and its menu is here. Its nearest Seattle location right now is downtown.

BECU – The financial institution formally known as Boeing Employees Credit Union has long been rumored to be opening a full-service West Seattle branch, and this is finally it. (Its membership eligibility is explained here.)

CITYMD URGENT CARE – This health-care organization started back East and is expanding.

T-MOBILE – The cell-phone provider.

All will front on Fauntleroy Way; you can see the locations on the site-plan graphic atop this story. These tenants, too, are expected to open in fall of next year. Meantime, for restaurant fans, it’s been pointed out to us that Whole Foods’ presence in the building – with a lot of takeout food – means the rest of the development is restricted to 6,000 square feet of additional food uses. MOD Pizza will take 2,500 square feet, so The Whittaker has one more restaurant space, between 2,300 and 3,448 square feet, with the location shown in the graphic.

P.S. In case you’re wondering, The Whittaker will have 276 offstreet parking spaces for its businesses, separate from the spaces for its 389 apartments.

Sara August 23, 2016 (10:25 am)

There’s a MOD Pizza in downtown, at 6th & University. So excited for BECU!!

WSB August 23, 2016 (10:29 am)

Good point. Missed that listing in the directory, thought maybe it had closed/moved. Changing.

Sue August 23, 2016 (10:52 am)

Interesting choice for an urgent care when there is one diagonally across the street. Although from personal experience, that one leaves much to be desired, so I’d welcome a new alternative.

Excited about the BECU branch, especially as I live 2 blocks from there. Although driving to Admiral for the ATM or to Roxbury for the branch isn’t too far, I’d rather keep a car off the road when I can.

I saw someone on FB comment about how we don’t really need more pizza. Yes, there is a lot in West Seattle, but with all the apartment buildings surrounding that area, I think it will be well-utilized.

Sue August 23, 2016 (12:21 pm)

Okay, this makes it even more weird about the urgent care – CityMD is apparently related to Franciscan, which is the urgent care I referred to across the street.

https://www.chifranciscan.org/news/CHI-Franciscan-Health-and-Urgent-Care-Provider-CityMD-Announce-First-Locations-in-Seattle-and-Kent/
- WSB August 23, 2016 (12:52 pm)
  
  Yes, we noticed that. Will be checking later with Franciscan (who is a current WSB sponsor) and CityMD.
  - sam-c August 23, 2016 (1:04 pm)
    
    Maybe they are getting prepared for new customers since Swedish and Premera Insurance can’t come to terms?
    - John August 24, 2016 (8:08 am)
      
      @Sue…. I had a different experience then you at Franciscan urgent care. I went in and received great care and they were very friendly and professional.
      
      I’m glad to see a BECU so close. I typically walk to the Morgan junction ATM for depositing. This new branch is only a couple blocks away.
Meyer August 23, 2016 (6:52 pm)

BECU members – you can use the Sound Credit Union ATM in The Junction for free. See for more locations

here

newnative August 23, 2016 (11:05 am)

I was hoping BECU would return to the Admiral Safeway but the Junction is better than nothing. I hate having to go to the downtown one. they’re very nice but it’s not convenient.

David August 23, 2016 (11:16 am)

Where is “THE LODGE” there is still a sign “coming soon”

WSB August 23, 2016 (11:38 am)

Hi – we had an update on The Lodge just last week. Can’t link it right now b/c we are out but just look at the restaurant archive.

Peace-a-Pizza August 23, 2016 (11:23 am)

I work in the 2 Union building, can confirm that MOD is here and thriving.

seattlesunburn August 23, 2016 (11:25 am)

Mod Pizza recently veganized its red sauce and now offers vegan cheese. I’m thankful for more vegan options (finally!) arriving to West Seattle!

chemist August 23, 2016 (2:50 pm)

What is normally non-vegan about red pizza sauce ?
- seattlesunburn August 23, 2016 (3:57 pm)
  
  They removed the cheese. Sometimes red sauce has cheese in it.
  - Jon August 26, 2016 (1:28 am)
    
    What’s the point of red sauce without cheese, though? Isn’t it just a wet mess to eat? Sounds like pizza bianca would make more sense for vegans.

Trickycoolj August 23, 2016 (11:26 am)

That BECU can’t come soon enough, the lines at the ATM near Thriftway are always insane on the weekends.

Astro August 23, 2016 (11:28 am)

Really! Another pizza place. How many can W. Seattle hold?

jason August 23, 2016 (12:07 pm)

Apparently….at least one more.

CMP August 23, 2016 (11:56 am)

MOD is a fast casual restaurant. It’s affordable and something for everyone to personalize, sort of like Chipotle. I wouldn’t hold Chipotle and Matador in the same category for Mexican food and MOD is also a different concept than Talarico’s, Pizzeria Credo and the like. I’m sure it will do well in that area; I think they’ve been thriving in the Puget Sound area but not sure about elsewhere nationwide.

Trickycoolj August 23, 2016 (5:42 pm)

I’ve been to MOD in Hillsboro Oregon when my mom’s job was relocated because I recognized it from starting in Seattle. Honestly the service was much better than the original location downtown, quite busy and had a large patio. I think they’re doing great. Everyone loves pizza but no one can agree on pizza hence individual customized pizzas.

justme August 23, 2016 (11:58 am)

Yay, love MOD pizza. Also, love the Sound and Fog across the street from this complex.

Peel and Press August 23, 2016 (12:01 pm)

I heard the same thing when Peel and Press was announced on the blog (2 years ago yesterday oddly enough) I got a lot of harsh comments that I would fail but I can say we are thriving and actually expanding our footprint soon. I promise you that MOD will not effect my business negatively and I promise they will kill it in that location. Of course I would love to see a local bistro or some mom and pop shop but that isn’t easily achievable in these new buildings. It’s just the economics of it. We have had a great run on new places over the last two years and I hope it will continue. Itto’s, Dumplings of Fury, Shelby’s, Whisky West, The Westy, New Leaf, a revamped Circa, ramen, coastline,The Lodge, Fresh Flours, Up coming pie place, since lab bar and adjoining restaurant. If I missed anyone I am sorry but that is an impressive mix of size, style and price points.

Way to go West Seattle!!!

sw August 23, 2016 (1:39 pm)

So glad to hear your business is thriving – we’re lucky to have you in Morgan Junction, and looking forward to hearing about your expansion!

For the “OH NOES NOT MOAR PIZZA” folks, get over it. As mentioned, it’s a totally different business model than the other places in the ‘hood. It’s also local – founded in Seattle.

Liz August 23, 2016 (12:12 pm)

For the haters saying we already have enough pizza places. They allow you to make a salad with unlimited toppings for under $10. The toppings are so fresh you’ll forgot you were in a “fast food” joint.

KD August 23, 2016 (12:16 pm)

Again, for those ‘jonesing’ for the lack of Chinese in WSea., go down to 4th So. and Mead (north of St Vincent de Paul and directly across the street from that Showgirls place (ugh!) ‘Kittens’) is a small family run place called Lucky Chinese. Gone there for years, open every day till 9:00pm except closed Sunday. Not much to look at but the husband and wife are sweet and make great dishes. They have a good work week lunch following. I can always get in on a Saturday night!

Joan August 23, 2016 (12:44 pm)

So happy about BECU!

Chris August 23, 2016 (1:29 pm)

Thank you BECU! This will be great.

WSGirl August 23, 2016 (2:01 pm)

How many can it hold? Have you noticed the development/people moving in around us???

Johnny Davies August 23, 2016 (2:07 pm)

PLEASE SDOT, put a left turn light from NB Fauntleroy to WB Edmunds. Perhaps one of the most frustrating intersections and with the density coming, it’s bound to get worse.

WSB August 23, 2016 (2:25 pm)

We’ll look into that, since as we’ve reported, there are projects coming to two of the other three corners (and the third already has an apt/condo building). If you can find any sort of request form on the SDOT site, would be worth a note too.

Ron Barcena August 23, 2016 (2:12 pm)

A recreational marijuana retailer recently said they are moving into this building. I believe their name is “Origin”.

Will you please let us know if this is happening?

WSB August 23, 2016 (2:21 pm)

Hi, we had that story yesterday, it is NOT this building. It’s 4800 40th SW, which is across the street. Scroll down the home page a bit. Thanks!

cashmere August 23, 2016 (3:24 pm)

Will whole foods also have an entrance on 40th/alaska corner?

WGA August 23, 2016 (3:38 pm)

Yes they will.

Kate August 23, 2016 (4:21 pm)

Hey Whole Foods! Open up early 2017 when PCC closes for two years. You’ll have eager customers….

M August 23, 2016 (8:14 pm)

MOD is the bomb. Excited for that. Perfect fit for thst location.

TM August 23, 2016 (8:39 pm)

My home of 15 years on Faunteroy and Brandon just became the next to Die. 6 Shoe Boxes will fill the space that was my home.The over development of west seattle is making me Sick . the whittaker is just more of the same , I cant belive whats going on in this town

Mmarie August 23, 2016 (10:28 pm)

Sorry to hear this TM. How sad to have a wall of condos/apartments nearly everywhere we turn here in our community.

seaopgal August 23, 2016 (11:31 pm)

In addition to the turn signal already mentioned (northbound Fauntleroy onto Edmunds), I’m wondering about a signal and pedestrian crossing at 40th and Alaska. People driving from the complex to the north or west need to get across or turn onto Alaska at some point, and it seems nuts to expect that they’ll go up the hill on Edmunds and then turn right onto either 42nd or California, given the existing congestion. Also, what about direct ped crossing of Alaska at Fauntleroy … do we know if that is in the plan?

WSB August 24, 2016 (12:04 am)

yes, it’s been mentioned here multipletimes. this story for example.
https://westseattleblog.com/2014/12/west-seattle-development-design-commission-revisits-the-whittaker/

I don’t know the timeline but The Whittaker’s north building is still some months out, as noted in this story.
- seaopgal August 24, 2016 (2:13 pm)
  
  Thanks!

Dana August 24, 2016 (7:36 pm)

I’m excited to see MOD pizza is coming! They have a good individual size, and I like that it can be customized.

I also second the call for left turn signals at the Fauntleroy and Edmonds intersection – going both north and south on Fauntleroy. I believe that old pawnshop is going to be replaced by a big apartment complex which will add even more traffic to that area. And for those of us who already live there island already be a pain turning left from Fauntleroy if traffic is bad enough