WaMu, SAM Complete Application for High Rise; EIS Required

SEATTLE-Washington Mutual and the Seattle Art Museum this week completed their application for a Master Use Permit to build a 40-story office tower adjacent to the museum and one-half block from the bank’s namesake headquarters building. The City, in addition to deeming the application complete, issued a Determination of Significance, which means a full environmental impact statement is required for the 1.1-million-sf project, which will replace the Museum Plaza building.

According to an agreement announced in September between the museum and the bank, WaMu would own and occupy the 800,000-sf office tower, the entrance for which would be on 2nd Avenue. SAM would own and occupy 275,000 sf at the base of the building that would be connected to the existing museum and accessed off 1st Avenue. The two would jointly own the 800-slip underground parking garage.

The general plan is for Pine Street Group LLC and the Seneca Real Estate Group to begin construction in early 2004 for completion in 2006.