Via 6

In the beginning, there was “6th & Lenora”. For once, I liked the name. It was urban. Accurate. Unpretentious.

Clearly, it could not be left to stand.

Oh no.

The last thing the developers wanted was a building marketed to actual urban-dwellers.

No no.

Instead, they wanted, nay, needed a building marketed toward suburban douchemonkeys. People who would drive out in the morning, spend the day elsewhere, then drive back to the parking garage before taking the elevator to the 21st floor where they could cocoon for the rest of the evening. Transient people. People still finding themselves. Posers. People who would pay any amount of money just so they could tell the folks back home that they lived in “the city” without actually, you know, living in the city. People who would pay an extra $200/month in rent if doing so made it sound like they lived in a happening world-class city, say … Paris … instead of Portland’s bigger brother.

Now, there’s “Via 6″.

Yeah, Via 6.

Because, you know, Seattle’s in France.

Rising from a pile of dirt just one short year ago, Via 6 has really made an impressive amount of progress. The exterior looks to be about 80% complete, and I believe it is fully topped out.

It looks like it would be more at home in Bellevue than in Belltown-adjacent, but given the demographic they are trying to attract, I suppose it makes sense.

Urban housing for car dependent suburbanites has been Seattle’s M.O. for the past ten years. Hell, we’re actively bulldozing actual urban neighborhoods, such as Capitol Hill, just to make way for these Kirkland expatriates. Daddy isn’t going to pay the rent for his pride-and-joy unless there is ample parking when he visits, and unless he’s satisfied that she’s going to be safe, secure, and surrounded by neutered, emasculated, fresh-out-of-college white males who are convinced that skinny jeans are the mark of a seasoned urban veteran.

To that end, my eastside friends, I give you Via 6, opening in February of 2013.

Now, you too can live in Bellevue, without the stigma of, you know, living in Bellevue.