South Lake Union Walkability

So just how walkable is South Lake Union? Sure, we're about 10 minutes from downtown, but we also have Mercer, Denny, and Aurora to contend with. Let's see what Walk Score's algorithm has to say—here are the walk scores for three popular SLU residences:

• Alcyone Apartments — 89 out of 100 (Very Walkable)

• Alley 24 — 92 out of 100 (Walkers' Paradise)

• 2200 Westlake — 100 of 100 (Ultimate Walker's Paradise)

Three very impressive scores. It's definitely possible to get by sans car in South Lake Union, what with the nearby grocery stores, shopping and restaurants, and the general emphasis on mixed-use development and alternative modes of transit (we heart the S.L.U.T.). And more and more companies are relocating a large chunk of their operations to South Lake Union.

SLU residents: Do you own a car? How often do you use it? Could you live without it?

Which would you rather look at: Grafiti Monster or Vibrant Mural

LABOR READY across from Alley 24 on Pontius

OR

Woodshed Studios by Alcyone on Thomas

?

Will SLU's Industrial Soul Disappear?

Photo: John Methot

VintageSeattle.org has a piece about the historic C.B. Van Vorst Building being *nearly* demolished. There was talk from Schnitzer West about renovating the building for use as a conference center for biotech companies, but it seems that now only the facade will be saved and incorporated into the design of one of several buildings to be occupied by Amazon. VintageSeattle.org had a negative take on the development, but I think it's a decent nod to the neighborhood's industrial past, much like Alley 24's brick lofts.

Upon a recent visit to Portland, I noticed several commonalities between the Pearl District and South Lake Union, which is probably no coincidence given developers Schnitzer and Vulcan's Portland connections. South Lake Union would do well to follow the Pearl District's model of urban renewal.