Future Development of Bellevue

After a regional downturn in the early 2000s stopped construction in its tracks, Bellevue is again growing. The first phase of Ashwood Commons, a mostly-residential hi-rise, recently completed construction. A second tower (for offices) is under construction at Lincoln Square; as are a new mixed-use development with a Safeway flagship store and luxury apartments (Avalon Meydenbauer). Under construction is Bellevue Towers, a two-tower eco-luxury condominium project with a block long urban garden and retail space. Developer Gerding Edlen of Portland's Brewery Blocks, expects Bellevue Towers to be the largest LEED Gold certified project in Washington State upon completion. Another development similar to Lincoln Square is also planned for the site of the current Safeway. A "superblock" development called Washington Square will cover nine city blocks and eventually include no fewer than six 22-story towers.

Other projects in Bellevue's future include Meydenbauer Place, a new Performing Arts center, a second City Center office tower (which broke ground in July 2006), three more residential towers, and, at long last, construction has resumed on the abandoned Tech Tower site, now to be called Tower 333. Developers have reported that they do not expect to have any difficulty finding tenants for all this new space.

This recent Seattle Times article highlighs other big developments in downtown Bellevue's future.