Let's go on an Urban Safari on Main Street.

Via the Seattle P.I. website:  Original post can be found here.
by: Deanna Duff

Seattle Magazine

Long a popular strolling and shopping spot featuring well-loved restaurants like Bis on Main and Mexican fave La Cocina Del Puerco, this area—between 100th Avenue NE and Bellevue Way—is now home to several new stores and eateries (along with an influx of condos).

EAT
Relax within the warm, modern confines of Monsoon East (sister to Seattle’s Monsoon) (10245 Main St.; 425.635.1112) and try the addictive drunken chicken dish or indulge in the dim sum brunch on weekend mornings. AtBelle Pastry (10246-A Main St.; 425.289.0015), treat yourself to a melt-in-your-mouth macaroon cookie, offered in a rainbow of pastel colors, or fill up on croissants, tartlets and mousses.

Chocolate addicts have more choices: Amoré Chocolates (10149½ Main St.; 425.453.4553), where customers can sample bite-sized truffles in flavors like Balsamic Cabernet and Seriously Dark; and across the street, Seattle-basedFran’s Chocolates (10036 Main St.; 425.453.1698), where you’ll discover why the artisan chocolates and caramels satisfy the sweet tooth of both locals and President Obama.

SHOP 
Glassybaby’s (10230 Main St.; 425.256.2927) new Bellevue location dazzles with a selection of more than 100 colored, hand-blown glass cups. Choose from hues such as Rubber Ducky or Seattle Sunset, or one of their Goodwill colors, from which 10 percent of the proceeds go to charity. The fashion-forward love local boutique La Ree (11 103rd Ave. NE; 425.453.7868), the area’s exclusive retailer for high-end European brands such as Hache and Réne Lezard, and one of the few carriers of Seattle-based jewelry line Jamie Joseph. Posh on Main (10245 Main St.; 425.454.2022) helps women put their best foot forward with Carrie Bradshaw–worthy shoes and accessories from the likes of Lanvin and Yves Saint Laurent. And for men, there’s grooming salon Flint (10235 Main St.; 425.453.1445), where fellas can watch the game on the lobby’s flat-screen television while waiting to get an executive haircut or straight-razor shave. Both sexes will look sharp (and see sharp) after a visit to Ottica Seattle (10204 Main St.; 425.635.2020), which has an extensive line of hard-to-find eyewear—including the rare, Japanese-based Kamuro brand—and an in-house optometrist. For the perfect gift, head to Arbour (10028 Main St.; 425.454.1510), where you’ll find everything from books to linens—and on a recent visit, an authentic (but vacant!) wasp’s nest.

Insider Tip
Prefer your breakfast with a side of live music? Stop by Gilbert’s Main Street Bagel Deli (10024 Main St.; 425.455.5650) any Saturday or Sunday, 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m., with their most popular dish—a Reuben sandwich—available any time of day.

Home Automation from Architectronics

Technology is your friend – at least at One Main Street. The Lagotek Home Intelligence Platform from Architectronics, available in every suite, gives homeowners a way to control a variety of functions within the condo. The intuitive touch-screen display gives you ultimate control over your home. The standard features allow you to see who is buzzing from the front door as well as control climate throughout the homes and lighting in select rooms.

Additional features are available which include expanded lighting control, audio distribution and speakers, control of digital media (mp3's, ipods, photos, movies) and expanded computer networking options. What does that all mean? Well, imagine controlling all of your home's electronic functions from one place. The system is infinitely customizable so if you can dream it, it can probably be automated.

But that's not even the best part. The Home Intelligence Platform allows you to monitor these systems when you're away from home via your handheld device or an any internet connection.

Home automation makes your life easier can save you time and money through energy savings. And at One Main Street, it's a standard feature.

To learn more about Architectronics and the Lagotek Home Intelligence Platform visit architechtronics.com.

Model Home Coming Soon

Soon you will be able to experience a finished suite at One Main Street! Residence 305 is a one bedroom, 1.5 bathroom condo located on the north east corner of the building. Finished in the Terre scheme, the home boasts rich walnut hardwood flooring and dark oak SieMatic cabinetry, complimented by limestone countertops and fireplace surrounds.

The floorplan is both welcoming and efficient. Floor-to-ceiling windows brighten the home, drawing you into the living space. Ample closet space keeps you organized and the generously sized kitchen provides plenty of room to prepare a feast.

This plan is located on floors 2-8 with the upper floors boasting views of Downtown Park and the Bellevue skyline.

To schedule a tour of the model home, contact one of the One Main Street Sales Agents at (425) 452-6246.

Mad about Thursdays in Bellevue in October

If you lived at One Main Street in Bellevue you would not have to wander very far from your condo to find a fun Thursday night activity. Just up the road at Julep Nail Parlor they are hosting Chick Flick Thursdays. October's Thursday nights consist of Mad Men episodes. Future months will bring Dirty Dancing & More (Patrick Swayze tribute) and The Holiday, just in time for the holidays!

If you want to find out what Don Draper would do (He could just be relaxing in a condo at One Main Street sipping a scotch...) stop by Julep and find out!

Details:

Julep Nail Parlor

Park Row Shopping Center

221 Bellevue Way NE

Bellevue, WA 98004

425.440.0861

Thursday nights, schedule a service any time after 5 pm and stay for the show.

Visit: myjulep.com for more details.

Sweet Suite

If shopping for a condo leaves you feeling as indecisive as a kid in a candy shop, don't fret. Each week we'll pick a floor plan and tell you all about the features, finishes and fabulousness. Sometimes, we'll even include photos for all you visual people.

This week's pick is the condo located at the south east corner, Suite 405. This is my favorite corner of the building and Suite 405 represents the best home in the stack. What I love about this condo is the abundance of natural light that brings the space to life. The large open dining and living area, begs you to hang out all day and watch the sunlight filter through your floor to ceiling windows. Or better yet, host a dinner for friends in your European style kitchen.

When the weather's warm, you could almost live on the deck that wraps around about half the length of the condo. At 550 square feet, the deck becomes your fair weather living room. The treetops and rolling hills of the Eastside are your view, just above the magic of Main Street.

Of course, all of the same high quality, luxury touches are present in this condo as in the rest of the building. The spa bath in the master bedroom features a huge soaking tub, and not to be outdone by the tub, a walk-in shower big enough for a party. SieMatic cabinetry, slab limestone countertops and glass tile backsplashes complement the thoughtfulness of the radiant heat floors and heated towel racks. Best of all the second bedroom is located at the opposite corner as the master, so privacy is not a problem.

The breakdown:
Suite 405 is a stunning two bedroom condo with lots of windows and a huge deck for entertaining.

Price: $748,800
Size: 980 square feet plus approximately 550 sf of deck
Floor Plan (pdf)

Bellevue Fashion Week...

Fashion Week 2009 runs from September 29th through October 4th in Bellevue this year. There are runway shows and special events galore, including a screening of The September Issue, the Nordstrom Fall Fashion Show and a VIP shopping night just to name a few.

Please visit: http://www.bellevuesquare.com/fashionweek/event.php for complete details.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue are the beneficiaries of these events, so your shopping is for a good cause!

Pending Home Sales Up in Western Washington

via the Bellevue Reporter:

Sep 15 2009

Pending sales around Western Washington during August jumped nearly 21 percent from a year ago and inventory dropped more than 18 percent, according to new figures from Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

MLS member-brokers say those indicators, along with signs of stabilizing prices, set the stage for brisk activity in the next few months as first-time buyers try to take advantage of the Nov. 30 deadline for tax credits.

“The typical August cool down in the market did not happen this year,” observed NWMLS director Kathy Estey, managing broker at John L. Scott’s office in downtown Bellevue. She said agents are busy with both first-time and move-up buyers and they’re reporting multiple offers on homes priced up to $700,000.

read the full story here.