SEATTLE | 2nd and University | >500 FT | 37 FLOORS

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Big new skyscraper planned for Second and University designed to look like a forest


Pickard Chilton
This is the preliminary design for Skanska's latest project, an office high-rise called 2&U in downtown Seattle.

Marc Stiles
Staff Writer-
Puget Sound Business Journal

Skanska USA Commercial Development on Thursday announced it has reached an agreement with the Samis Foundation to lease all of Samis' downtown Seattle property between First and Second avenues and University and Seneca streets and develop a large office tower.

The plan calls for an office tower with 725,000 square feet of leasable space with shops, restaurants and public spaces. The project, called 2&U, is scheduled to open in 2019, Skanska said.

The project joins a growing list of high-rise proposals in downtown Seattle, including a 77-story project at Second and Marion, a 58-story project at Fourth and Union, and a 42-story development at Third and Cherry. Construction already is starting on two competing high-rise projects at Fifth and Marion.

This activity shows that the center of Seattle's business district is shifting away from South Lake Union, where Amazon.com'sdquarters is located.

"The location of 2&U is really at the seam of our city," Skanska Executive Vice President Lisa Picard said in a statement.


New Haven, Conn.-based architecture firm, Pickard Chilton, was hired to design the tower through a unique "design hack-a-thon" involving seven international firms.

Skanska officials said they liked how Pickard Chilton's submission reinforced Skanska's vision by making a strong connection between the building's form and the Northwest's character. The preliminary design creates a network of pedestrian passages traversing the block through "a forest-like base," while the tower above provides weather protection similar to the warmth and comfort of a tree canopy, Skanska officials said in a news release.

Skanska officials said they'll work with the downtown community and host a series of forums to discuss how 2&U's design could connect tenants, visitors and neighbors to the waterfront, art museum and Third Avenue transit tunnel.


Skanska approached Samis more than three years ago with a vision for the Second and University properties. The discussions, facilitated in large part by Jim Reinhardsen of local real estate advisory company Heartland, resulted in a Nov. 1 signing of a long-term ground lease.

Eli Almo, Samis executive board member said Skanska's "inspiring vision for our property will provide long-term value to support our philanthropic mission."

The foundation owns and manages a cast portfolio of property. The late Sam Isreal established the foundation in 1987 to support Jewish education and culture. The foundation has given away more than $35 million in grants.

2&U is Skanska's fourth project in the Puget Sound region since commencing Seattle development operations in 2011.

On the north end of Lake Union, the company completed Stone34 for Brooks Sports. That building is now for sale. In South Lake Union, Skanska is building the 400 Fairview office/retail project that will be home to Tommy Bahama. Skanska is developing its first mixed-use apartment project called Alley 111.

Marc Stiles covers commercial real estate and government for the Puget Sound Business Journal.