The Times representing the Seattle Post-Intelligencer Downtown Living | SATURdaY, april 28, 2007

GSECTION Featuring New Urban Homes in the Seattle DOWNTOWN Downtown Core.

ADVERTISING LIVING Contemporary, urban blend Seattle condos mixing up new batch of lounges,

By Suzanne Monson Contributing Writer

old with bravado. Subtle with smarts. Classic with sass. B No matter your personal preference for , cocktails or condominiums, downtown Seattle has a variety of buzz-worthy blends to tantalize your tastes. And like the vogue lounges and casual coffeehouses that add diverse flavor to the city’s vibrant social and business landscape, Seattle’s emerging urban condominium choices are adding their own extra shots of innovation and style to the downtown scene. From a private “wine cave” that pays homage to Italian grottos, to a Seattle-exclusive authentic juice- making machine for rum drinks, to award-winning espresso shops around nearly every corner, Seattle’s condominiums are setting the bar high for beverage perks and pubs. Condo dwellers from Belltown to Capitol Hill and Queen Anne to Midtown are discovering that meeting with co-workers and friends takes on a fresh new twist when favorite neighborhood watering holes are just minutes from their front door. When clients secure successful Seattle’s emerging urban condominium choices are adding their own extra shots of innovation and style to the downtown scene business deals, attorneys chalk up with vogue lounges and casual coffeehouses. courtroom victories, and sales teams high-five each other after hitting a goal, many of these achievements nightcaps at the lobby bar or daily Capitol Hill neighbors will soon be 24 complex on Yale Avenue North are celebrated with a toast. By caffeine rituals – making new friends meeting at Espresso Vivace when this across from REI. thoughtfully locating near the city’s is the promise of urban living,” says quintessential moves finest coffeehouses and chic wine Dean Jones, principal of Realogics, into its 2,200-square-foot flagship Cheers bars, Seattle’s newest boutique Inc., a Seattle-based real estate Sidewalk Bar and Roasteria at the and high-rise condominiums are marketing company. “You never know north end of next year. Condominium choices brewing up new hot spots on the city’s who you’ll bump into and that kind As the street-level anchor for Brix, throughout Belltown and Midtown, business map. of social interaction is what city life is Espresso Vivace will add some java meanwhile, put city dwellers within Just as important are occasions all about.” jolt to the neighborhood – along with cab-ride or walking distance to their when friends meet outside the its prominent mural and renowned vintage of choice. workplace to make the most of easy Perk it up drink-topping coffee art patterns. At The Tasting Room in Pike downtown connections. Espresso Vivace has also already Place Market’s Post Alley, patrons “Whether it’s during impromptu At Brix condominiums, added a new espresso bar to the Alley Continued on next page

Prepared by the Advertising Department of The Seattle Times Company, Representing the Seattle Post-Intelligencer Continued from previous page Contemporary, urban blend ...

may enjoy this hybrid wine bar/wine shop – and take home a favorite bottle for the weekend. From Capitol Hill or Midtown, condo owners will find a hip purple punch while wine tasting above Pine Street in Pacific Place at Sixth Avenue Wine Seller. Near Mutual Tower and Benaroya Hall on Fourth Avenue, the relaxing Purple Café and Wine Bar welcomes guests with its two-story tower of wines and a list boasting 70 varietals offered by the glass for businesspeople and downtown dwellers alike.

Sweet treats In South Lake Union’s 2200, adjacent to the Pan Pacific Hotel, meanwhile, friends are sweet on the natural sugar press in Marazul restaurant’s new Rhum Bar – complete with roughly 40 rum varieties arranged behind a contemporary bar artisan-designed with three types of wood, copper and infused art glass. The bar’s piece de resistance: its guarapó press, thought to be the city’s only device At ESCALA, an exclusive 25,000-square-foot private Club Cielo will debut with its own “wine cave” one floor below, which will to squeeze fresh juice from raw sugar offer a comfortable-climate, glass-enclosed tasting room with intimate seating for up to 20 guests. cane for light cocktail and mocktail sweetening. Cuban-favorite Mojitos, says from the 37th floor “Skylounge,” qualities of owning a big home, yet “For a host or hostess, this Vulcan Real Estate marketing as well as a poolside lounge with without having to maintain it. Our takes away any worry about the level manager Alison Jeffries, never tasted beverages at the outdoor cabana professionals take care of everything.” of service because they know this as good. designed for residents and their brings the luxury level of service for For more subtle beverages, guests. Built-ins which the Four Seasons has set the Koots Green Tea welcomes South Meanwhile, at the base of standard.” Lake Union guests to try the choices ESCALA near Midtown’s corner Professional designers have At Denny Way, near North loaded with health benefits from of Fourth and Virginia streets, the also assured that high-end Miehle Westlake Avenue, German its Japanese selection of taste treats exclusive 25,000-square-foot private built-in coffee systems, built-in cabinetmakers are using European- – including green-tea flavored ice Club Cielo will debut with its own Sub-Zero wine refrigerators and grain, oak-based woods to create cream. “wine cave” one floor below. Like an built-in icemakers separate from the custom kitchen designs that feature ”People see these as Seattle’s new Italian grotto reserved for the finest refrigerators are part of each of the built-in wine racks at Enso. Each gathering spots,” she says. vintages, the ESCALA wine cave will 36 boutique-style homes in the Four of the entertainment-ready service offer a comfortable-climate, glass- Seasons Hotel and Private Residences bars in the 135 homes planned at this Rooftop to wine enclosed tasting room with intimate slated for First Avenue and Union South Lake Union condominium seating for up to 20 guests around Street. building will offer these innovative cellar an artisan-designed fir table – “all “Our buyers tend to be very designs. Equally as appealing are with a Northwest twist,” according to aware…and they know they are “It’s fun access and an absolutely the beverage-related features John Midby of Lexus Companies, and essentially living right in the hotel, beautiful presentation for wine that and amenities designed or built ESCALA developer. where moments away they can call maximizes space in the kitchen,” says directly into many high-profile By creating an intimate on a bartender or a personal chef if Jeffries. condominiums. wine cellar to host a tony cocktail they’re hosting a cocktail party on Like its neighboring Rollin Plans for the AVA Hotel & party, says Midby, ESCALA their personal terrace,” says Seattle Street condominiums, Enso also Residences at Eighth and Pine streets invites condominium owners to Hotel Group owners’ representative/ offers optional in-kitchen beverage includes catch-your-breath views “experience all the benefits and best project manager Paul Zumwalt. coolers.

Prepared by the Advertising Department of The Seattle Times Company, Representing the Seattle Post-Intelligencer