By Meghan Hall
Just a month after finalizing its purchase of Bellevue’s Doha John Danz Building in Bellevue, Vancouver, Canada-based Onni Group is quickly moving forward with plans to redevelop the site. The developer submitted plans to construct three 600-foot towers over a 40-foot tall podium at 600 106th Ave. NE. at the end of February, with the end of March marking the end of the project’s minimum public comment period.
The development, which would total 3,507,371 gross square feet upon completion, would include two residential towers with 1,289 residences and 317 hotel suites, plus one office tower. Office space for the development will total 896,000 square feet, while 2,318 parking stalls would be accommodated on six levels of below-grade parking. Onni also plans to include a variety of amenities for residents, including two swimming pools, a daycare and guest suites. A food court associated with the office tower will serve the general public via a new east-west midblock connector along the north of the project. A potential flower shop along 106th Ave. NE., as well as a restaurant and lounge, are also part of the ground uses incorporated into the project.
The site is located in downtown Bellevue, and at 174,914 square feet, the property covers much of the superblock bounded by 106th Ave. NE., NE. 8th St., 108th Ave. NE. and NE. 6th St. The project is also adjacent to the Bellevue Grand Connection, a proposed 1.5-mile pedestrian and bicycle crossing over Interstate 405, and Compass Plaza, located on the south side of the connection. The plaza will be enlarged and improved as project plans as well, City documents indicate.
According to documents submitted to the City of Bellevue, Onni plans for the demolition and construction of the site to begin in February 2020, with office occupancy planned to begin by March 2023 and residential and hotel occupancy to begin by April 2024. However, it is noted in the plans that that timeline is subject to change. Before the project can break ground, however, Onni must go through the City’s Design Review process and obtain Master Development Plan approval, along with other ancillary permits.
Onni formally purchased the property in February 2019 from Sterling Realty Organization Company, although industry reporting had been tracking Onni’s interest in the property for several months throughout the end of 2018. Additionally, Onni had submitted preliminary plans for the site back in April 2018; those original plans also included three towers but indicated the presence of additional retail uses.
Onni acquired the property for $116 million, according to public documents, and the site is currently occupied by the Doxa John Danz Building. Totaling 40,245 square feet, the property was constructed in 1961 and has since been used for a variety of uses, including a 1500-seat theater.
As of this writing, Onni Group did not immediately return The Registry’s request for comment.
