FOLLOWUP: New owner for ex-Wells Fargo building in Admiral Junction

(King County Assessor website photo)

After less than six months on the market, the major Admiral Junction commercial building on the northeast corner of California Avenue SW and SW Admiral Way has a new owner. We reported back in March – after Wells Fargo, the building’s then-owner, closed its branch – that the 25,000-square-foot site at 2358 California SW was going up for sale. It was originally listed for $7.6 million and sold last Friday for $6.3 million. The new owner is Mercer Island-based commercial investor/developer Henbart, whose other properties are in neighborhoods including Magnolia, Ballard, and Edmonds. We’re inquiring with the new owner; in the meantime, a source close to the deal says they have no current plans to redevelop the property – zoned for mixed-use development up to 75 feet, as are the parcels on the other three corners of Admiral/California – but are looking for a new tenant for the ex-bank space and “have had a lot of interest.” (Thanks to Jason for the tip about the deal, first reported by the DJC.)

SIDE NOTE: The building kitty-corner across the intersection, where Quality Cleaners closed four years ago, is shown online as still on the market, listed for $1.5 million.

16 Replies to "FOLLOWUP: New owner for ex-Wells Fargo building in Admiral Junction"

  • Anne September 17, 2024 (12:59 pm)

    Good news that he wants to keep the existing building- there must be a business that can move into it- or maybe even multiple small businesses that can share the space. 

  • Al King September 17, 2024 (1:23 pm)

    WSB. There was hazmat remediation at the Quality Cleaners site a while back. Was that all cleaned up? I’m wondering if that’s part of why it hasn’t sold.  

  • whomever September 17, 2024 (1:54 pm)

    Hey, maybe they want to put a boutique hotel here? The Grove seems pretty lacking / far from the town center.

  • Darren September 17, 2024 (4:22 pm)

    Wouldn’t doubt eventually develop into multi housing, seems like a appropriate location , great walk ability to services and within a commercial area not backing up to single family homes 

  • K September 17, 2024 (6:25 pm)

    Disappointing there’s no plan for development.  This would be a great location for more apartments!

  • The truth September 17, 2024 (7:55 pm)

    6.3 million seems like redevelopment. There is no way renting that space as-is doesn’t come close to covering that note.

    • Bill#1 September 17, 2024 (8:20 pm)

      The voice of reality!

    • WSB September 17, 2024 (8:21 pm)

      Maybe eventually, but a Henbart executive responded to us (I haven’t had time to update the story yet) and confirmed that they’re looking for a tenant and planning to operate the building as what it is now, a retail center – TR

    • Eddie September 17, 2024 (9:20 pm)

      Cheesecake Factory or Claimjumpers.

    • wscommuter September 18, 2024 (11:19 am)

      Agree that at that price, redevelopment is inevitable.  But selfishly, I’d love to see them design in such a way as to preserve the facade – iconic architectural feature that would be a shame to lose.  

  • Morgan September 17, 2024 (9:15 pm)

    I’d believe what they say—multi family is expensive and so is cost of $ to construct.for a resident perspective, and to any hotel developers reading this—we do need a second west seattle option. 160k residents get visitors and can’t just be air bnb

  • PigeonRidge Ben September 17, 2024 (9:51 pm)

    The views from the top 40 floors would be unparalleled. Keep the facade!

  • bolo September 17, 2024 (11:33 pm)

    Indoor pickleball parlor!

  • WSeattleRes September 18, 2024 (5:30 am)

    Three types of restaurants W Seattle is lacking & needs are a Chinese restaurant, Korean BBQ & a Japanese BBQ restaurant. Let’s hope someone opens one or all three here in this space or elsewhere in the area in the very near future. No more apartments or W Seattle is just going to become even more crowded with even more traffic to and from the city ! We don’t need anymore pizza restaurants or coffee shops either in W Seattle. 

  • Patrick September 18, 2024 (7:20 pm)

    Any idea why Quality Cleaners has been on the market for almost 5 years? Great location and the price seems reasonable.

  • Alki resident September 18, 2024 (7:46 pm)

    Royal Fork, let’s do it. Or Farrells

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