Did anyone see these two open houses in Rainier Valley earlier this month?

http://www.opadesign.com/letitia.html

Considering the price (less than $400k I was told), I was very impressed with both the design and the interior finishes. They even had radiant floor heating. They were small but definitely cute and miles ahead of similarly priced projects from mainstream builders in terms of modern design elements.

My only concern was the location. There was a brutal contrast of two new beautiful house with the poverty of the neighborhood. Driving thru Rainier Valley itself is pretty depressing.

Rainier Valley is changing though--it's like the Central District maybe 8 years ago!

We toured them and thought pretty highly of the effort. The houses had really nice flow for a compact structure and great finishes and light. I sure would like to see more of this sort of thing happening.

When the project was originally listed a couple years back my wife and I looked into them. Ultimately, the neighborhood was a little to much potential and not enough already there for us. I admire the pioneers, though, and I am certain that their $400K house will be a $500K house sooner than later.

I think the area is going to developing into a modern center of Seattle, there is a home being built directly accross from the two open house homes (behind safeway (37th ave I think), it is by Pb elemental architecture their website shows it will be listed in the mid 800's! www.elementalarchitecture.com also in columbia city a modern loft project is being built just off rainer, it looks pretty cool, I don't know who designed it.

the loft project in columbia city is columbia city live aboves, designed by arellano/christofides.

http://www.arellano-christofides.com/CCLA.html