Recent articles within the Seattle Times and The Oregonian, have The Bravern project in the news recently. Two articles Sunday, in the Seattle Times, focused on how Neiman Marcus chose to go into The Bravern and how The Bravern Signature Residences’ marketing plan is now focused around the high-end retail.
When Schnitzer West first made plans for their Bravern Development, its original intentions were for four business towers (instead of what is now planned, two business towers and two condo towers). When speaking to retailers to convince them to occupy space at The Bravern, they unintentionally came across Neiman Marcus, which at first wasn’t interested, but over time (with favorable leasing terms) decided to occupy space at The Bravern.
Kemper Freeman Jr. is interviewed in the article and discusses his disappointment in Neiman Marcus’ choice of The Bravern over Bellevue Square. He continues on in a section titled, “Freeman fires back,” discussing the upgrades and expansion The Bellevue Collection is taking. Also interesting to note is his discussion around how The Bravern project will now split high-end retail into two distinct separated shopping centers, and his beliefs are that the market hasn’t proven it is ready for that.
Also in the news in The Oregonian, was a blurb in their Northwest Headlines section titled, “Uber weathy Bellevue to get Neiman Marcus store, adding to an already upscale retail mix.”
Looks like they might’ve been wishing at this point that they had put up 4 business towers.
If I was buying this expensive of a place I would want to be farther away from the highway…
It will definitely be interesting to watch (and report on) how it all plays out. Competition is GOOD and Kemper should not be scared …
Justin – Not sure I would want to live so close to the freeway either …