Bellevue’s One88 breaks ground, first high-rise in nearly decade

Editor’s note: A previous version of this article stated the One88 building would be the first high-rise in Bellevue in 10 years. That information was inaccurately given to the Reporter. The Reporter always strives for accuracy and regrets the error.

Developers of a 21-story condominium building in Bellevue broke ground Tuesday morning.

With a design so unique that its rendering prompted a city planner to ask for the architect’s autograph, One88 is expected to be complete by 2020.

The tower will house 143 one-, two- and three-bedroom condominiums, including a penthouse residence. The sky-rise will feature an indoor pool, a third-floor terrace, a children’s playroom, a fitness center and ground-floor retail.

Ryan Bosa, president of Vancouver-based Bosa Development, said they’re very excited to be in Bellevue.

“For Bosa, this is the first of what we’re hoping is a long relationship with the city of Bellevue,” Bosa said. “We have another project we’ll be working on shortly after but we want to kick off this one first.”

Last year, Bosa Development built Insignia, a 700-unit residential high rise on Bell Street in Seattle. The developer has several other major projects in Canada and California, as well.

Bosa said Bellevue is growing and Bosa Development is happy to be apart of the growth.

“We recognize we can do something very boutique and very special and we wanted to build a jewel in the city of Bellevue,” Bosa said. “For that, we brought in architect Hossein Amanat. We wanted to step up what the quality of living could be to the city of Bellevue with luxury and architecture.”

Dubbed a master architect “who has built and designed monuments” by Bosa, Amanat with Vancouver-based Amanat Architecture designed One88 as a cut-crystal type of building, which, he says, is “quite different to every building you have ever seen as a residential.”

Among its many features are balconies that are half covered that act as an expansion of the living room, Amanat said. Each unit was designed with the view in mind.

The interior will be designed by Hirsch Bedner Associates of Santa Monica California.

Bellevue Mayor John Stokes said the location of One88 is in a perfect place for growth. And with the city’s work on the Downtown Livability Initiative, which will allow an increase in development, Stokes said livability for Downtown Bellevue residents will be enhanced.

“We’re really setting something that is different in city development and urban development, and doing it in a way that we meet the needs of people, but also continue to make it a place where you live, work and play,” he said.

Bosa and Amanat thanked the city and its staff for its quick response and ease in the permitting process.

Condominium sales are expected to begin in early 2018. A priority list is currently being developed at the project’s website.

One88 will be located at 188 Bellevue Way NE at the corner of Bellevue Way Northeast and Northeast Second Street.

For more information, visit one88bybosa.com.

Mayor John Stokes speaks at the groundbreaking of One88 on Tuesday. Raechel Dawson/staff photo

Amanat Architecture’s rendering of One88, a 21-story, 143-unit luxury residential tower expected to be complete in Bellevue by 2020. Photo courtesy of Amanat Architecture