Tom Douglas to Open New Restaurants in Seattle’s South Lake Union Neighborhood
Acclaimed restaurateur plans to open multiple restaurants in historic Terry Avenue Building of Amazon.com’s new headquarters in South Lake Union
SEATTLE, Wash. – March 3, 2010 – From his famous crabcakes and wild Coho salmon to cornbread pudding and triple coconut cream pie, award-winning chef and restaurateur Tom Douglas has dazzled Seattle diners and international patrons for decades. Now, he’s setting his culinary sights on downtown Seattle’s fast-growing South Lake Union neighborhood.
Douglas and Vulcan Real Estate today announced that the nationally renowned restaurateur will open signature restaurants in the historic Terry Avenue Building, which is part of the Amazon.com headquarters under construction. The new Tom Douglas restaurants are expected to open in mid-2011.
“Many of Seattle’s most cherished homegrown companies are calling South Lake Union home, and that’s an important part of keeping Seattle a world-class city. It’s an area full of exciting new opportunities for us that we couldn’t pass up,” said Tom Douglas. “By opening our new restaurants in the Terry Avenue Building, we’re able to preserve a special part of Seattle’s history while also being in the center of all the action in South Lake Union.”
“We’re positively thrilled to welcome Tom Douglas to South Lake Union, and his new restaurants will contribute greatly to the neighborhood’s growing retail district. His restaurants are beloved in the Northwest, and his reputation as a top-notch chef is legendary,” said Ada M. Healey, vice president of real estate at Vulcan Inc.
Located on Terry Avenue North between Thomas and Harrison streets, the two-story brick Terry Avenue Building was originally built in 1915 and designated a historic landmark in 2008. Once completed, the renovated building will connect to the site’s scenic outdoor public plaza and pedestrian-friendly streetscape, with outdoor seating available for customers on both floors.
Defining Northwest Cuisine for Nearly 30 Years
Tom Douglas and his wife and business partner, Jackie Cross, own five of Seattle’s most popular restaurants in downtown Seattle: Dahlia Lounge, Etta’s, Palace Kitchen, Lola, and Serious Pie. With almost 30 years in the restaurant business, Tom helped put Seattle on the national culinary map by cooking inventive global cuisine with regional and seasonal ingredients. Tom and Jackie also run a retail bakery, Dahlia Bakery, a catering business, Tom Douglas’ Catering and Events, and an event space, Palace Ballroom.
In 2009, Tom Douglas partnered with Amazon.com to create an exclusive line of kitchen and dining products, Tom Douglas by Pinzon. He is the author of three cookbooks, Tom Douglas’ Seattle Kitchen, Tom’s Big Dinners, and I Love Crab Cakes. Tom and Jackie's specialty food line, which includes Rub with Love spice rubs plus barbecue and teriyaki sauces, is sold nationwide. Tom also hosts his own weekly talk radio show, "In the Kitchen with Tom and Thierry," on KIRO-FM. For more information, go to www.tomdouglas.com.
New Tom Douglas Restaurants Will Activate Terry Avenue Retail Corridor
The new Amazon.com headquarters includes 11 buildings on six blocks in the heart of South Lake Union totaling 1.7 million square feet of office space and nearly 100,000 square feet of street-level retail amenities. The new office buildings will open starting in April 2010, with full occupancy by 2013. Scheduled to open in May 2011, Phase IV of the Amazon.com headquarters includes two new 12-story office buildings and the renovated Terry Avenue Building.
“South Lake Union has become a true extension of downtown with lively shops and restaurants, a diversity of housing, vibrant parks and world-class employers who call the area home,” said Robert Arron, senior director of real estate marketing and leasing at Vulcan Inc. “The addition of Tom Douglas will further activate the exciting retail landscape in South Lake Union, attracting even more new amenities and visitors to the area.”
Approved in 2005, the City of Seattle’s Terry Avenue Street Design Guidelines draw on the rich historic character of Terry Avenue to create a new type of street where pedestrians have priority and the streetscape is activated. Now being implemented as part of the Amazon.com headquarters development, improvements to the street include widened 31-foot sidewalks, benches, enhanced landscaping and trees, special pavers and bike racks. Similar to Portland’s Pearl District and Yaletown in downtown Vancouver, the pedestrian-friendly elements being incorporated along Terry Avenue will contribute to a lively retail corridor that accommodates a mix of uses for pedestrians, bicyclists, cars and the streetcar line.
About Vulcan Real Estate
Vulcan Real Estate directs all real estate activities for Vulcan Inc., a Paul G. Allen company. The company’s experienced, talented team of real estate professionals offers a full range of development services from site selection to build-to-suit construction. Its real estate model is based on quality, sustainable development that builds new value across the entire community. To date, Vulcan has delivered over 2.7 million square feet in 14 new office, biotech, residential and mixed-use projects in South Lake Union. The company has nearly 1.5 million square feet currently under construction. For more information, visit www.vulcanrealestate.com.
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