22 West Lee had its grand opening last weekend and 3 out of their 20 units were sold. The condo sits close to the top of Queen Anne Hill and offers 4 different layouts with two bedroom and two bedroom plus den floor plans. I particularly liked the top floor units as they come with air conditioning and have an extra 6 inches ceiling height than lower floor units.
So far, I’m most impressed with their 503 & 603 floor plan. While the space could be more efficient without the long entry way, the open floor plan in the living area with windows on most sides of the room provides expansive views of the neighborhood as well as the Puget Sound.
If you appreciate a huge master bathroom and fire place, 01 floor plan is the way to go. The only trade off is you don’t really get as much view as the 03 floor plan. The 04 floor plan has a smaller master bedroom but it comes with a large balcony. 02 layout seems to be the most efficient but has fewer windows. The floor plan is also the most common layout that you probably can find in other condo buildings. Each unit comes with two parking so you don’t really have to worry too much about street parking.
Here are some of my impressions of the condo:
• They layout for the units in this building are nicely proportioned with great workmanship on their finishes. I probably wouldn’t pick black kitchen sink over stainless steel sink. As the black sink shows dirt a lot easier than stainless steel.
• The condo’s only amenity in the building is the club room. If you feel that Queen Anne Hill can fulfill most of your lifestyle needs then the limited amenities will probably not be a big deal.
• The tree lined street has a very suburban residential feel. Very pleasant and peaceful.
• Great view from most of their units.
SCR scorecard
Exterior Good
Interior Very good
Amenities Average
Location Good
Value Average
Overall Good
Overall:
An exclusive residential building with a good location.
More info:
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Price list for 22 West Lee
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| 22 West Lee |
UPDATE (4/29/07): Changed value rating from "good" to "average" based on large premiums offered by initial buyers over the asking price.
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Wendy, thanks for the beautiful review. We actually had 10 offers on the homes last weekend. When it was all said and done, we made 8 sales in the first two days.
What is the pricing for each of the floor plans? The building is in a great location…but are there guarantees of a protected view?
The price list is posted on the blog. Views are rarely guaranteed. However, you can research it at the department of planning and development for potential plans coming up in that neighborhood.
http://www.seattle.gov/dpd
Wow…count me out of this one. Don’t you think the HOA is a little high? Also, these prices are competitive with some of the high-rise buildings downtown with more amenities…but I guess you do have Queen Anne at the doorstep.
Just seems a little out of line, just like the rest of our condo market.
Dan, have you found any condo that offers a “guarantee of a protected view?”
There are not many, but one listed two buildilngs down from me on Waverly Place a few months back owned the air rights for the property in front of them.
Obviously it is not an issue if you live in a Belltown high rise, where the chances of a building in your face are minimal…but in a low-rise dominated neighborhood like Queen Anne, I would be very concerned of an older house being torn down and replaced with yet ANOTHER condo building. There goes your value…
Just my $.02
In addition…
If you are a homeowner in any neighborhood, a developer must submit plans to the city for approval, and it can be reviewed by neighbors, as Wendy suggested.
You would be surprised at how much pull neighbors have on new projects. Look what the POWHAT association has done on Capitol Hill in protesting certain developments on Pike/Madison/Pine.
If a new development is detrimental to the neighborhood, views, crime (and in turn property values), the populace is able to bring suit and force a change of plans or make the building go elsewhere.
“guarantee of a protected view?”
Check the zoning maps available on the city’s DCLU website for before you buy. Currently, St Anne Catholic Church is across the street from 22 W Lee. On the other sides it is already built up.