Despite recent tech layoffs in the news, the Eastside is still very much open for business and under construction. Cranes abound in Bellevue and Redmond, and Bothell, Kirkland, Issaquah and Renton have major construction projects in the works or coming soon. Along with numerous new office buildings and mixed-use developments, regional conveniences like new transit lines will continue to increase access to this robust region.
Here’s a breakdown of just some of the construction projects currently in the pipeline on the Eastside:
Microsoft Campus Refresh. Estimated to cost somewhere around $5 billion, Microsoft is in the process of revamping their original Redmond campus. Featuring a new design that supports hybrid work styles, the project will also include large playfields, easy access to the site of a future East Link light rail extension, and 17 new buildings, totaling 3 million square feet of office space.
East Link extension. The aforementioned Eastside light rail project is nearing completion of its first stage. The project will add new options for commuters, making it easier to travel between Seattle and the Eastside. With an estimated cost of $3.6 billion and an anticipated opening in 2024, for some residents, it can’t come soon enough.
The Spring District. This 36-acre mixed use development in Bellevue has become a hub for major employers and new housing. At an estimated cost of around $2.6 billion, the project includes more than 800 residential units, along with retail space and several office towers that have been leased by Facebook’s parent company, Meta. Seven acres of transit-oriented development will make it easy for residents and employees in the area to get around when it is completed in 2028.
Sounders FC Center at Longacres. The Sounders are coming to the Eastside, with a $1.5 billion investment in a new training space and headquarters. The development will be located in Renton, and will include a 158-acre headquarters with office space, four training pitches and up to 3,000 apartments, perfect for fans who want to live right by the action. The project is set to be completed in 2024.
These projects certainly hold a lot of potential impact for the Eastside. However, they are only the tip of the iceberg of the ongoing construction projects and developments in the pipeline. Innovative new offices, community centers, and transit-oriented developments are among those still in the works for this region.
Information for this post was sourced from Puget Sound Business Journal.