Via that sign in the window at 4452 California SW, Keller Williams West Seattle has announced it’s moving. After getting a tip, we went over to inquire. They say they’ve been looking for a larger space for a while, and the new digs at 5446 California SW fit the bill.
According to this city webpage, KW’s old spot has been a real-estate office since it was built in 1965.
Good for them for moving up in the world. Will their existing office be torn down and replaced with 185 apartments with parking for 3 vehicles?
There is no proposal on file for redevelopment. Like the rest of the heart of The Junction, though, it’s been zoned for highe/denser redevelopment for decades.
How dare people, let me get this straight, build places for other people to live! The horror of allowing humans to live near me. Ironic you are in favor of a real estate storefront that … helps people find homes. I bet they even market homes without off street parking. So are you for or against homes for people?
I for one am in favor of anything replacing this business at this location. A real estate storefront is not something that most people can use. I have fond memories of going to Shadowland, the burger place next door, Pagliacci, and the fancy Hawaiian place across the street. It can be fun to look at the ads for single family homes in the windows, but they aren’t the kind of businesses you would wander into on a whim. I’m sure this prime corner will be redeveloped in the next decade, but in the meantime hopefully something exciting moves in to this spot!
As the son of a life-long realtor & myself a belated entry into the business I can share a few facts on Real Estate storefronts A) sometimes a company’s retail store front is as much or more about building brand recognition (called marketing) and less about walk in traffic. B) Also, a location like this can help establish the company as an integral part of the local community. C) Plus the firm does use it to meet with clients to begin their real estate search or sale and most frequently to close deals, sign contracts, etcD) And, new clients to the area get to enjoy the local ambience in a way not usually available in office parks or buildingsSo, does an RE company need a retail store front. No, but it can financially contribute a whole lot more to the local economy & tax base than a gelato shop while needing lot fewer parking spaces
Thanks for the context! Hadn’t thought about it until now but we had a few realtor-client meetings in the 4452 California SW space when we were house-hunting 27 years ago … the buyer’s agent (then a new concept) with whom we were working was with ERA, then headquartered there, while the home we eventually bought was listed by a Cayce & Gain agent (after a few changes, that’s now BHHS [WSB sponsor]) – TR
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