In a press release that hit my e-mail this morning, Olive 8 announces a two year extension on their construction loan.  I believe that US Bank needed to do this due to their initial investment and to help meet some of their standards on lending to “Green” built product.  I think we will see more of this as the economy looks for ways to increase jobs for the long term in “built green” development and renovation.  Keep in mind that they have a long way to go.  There are still many units to sell.

I do think that this is great news for Seattle.  For someone that works in the market, I love to see the projects with a perspective of half-full and not half-empty.  I’d like to think that we are headed in the right direction.  This partnership between R.C. Hedreen Company and U.S. Bank sends a positive message to the rest of the market.  Other parties in the project include:

MulvannyG2
Gluckman Mayner Architects
Coldwell Banker Solutions

Read Below for the press release in its entirety.

U.S. Bank Leads Syndication of $90 million Loan to Olive 8, Providing Financing for Green Downtown Seattle Condominiums

Two year extension of construction loan is a ray of hope in today’s market

(Seattle) December 14, 2009 ― Long-time Seattle developer R.C. Hedreen Company has received a crucial renewal of its construction loan for up to two years for Olive 8 through a $90 million loan syndication led by U.S. Bank.  At a time when many regional projects are at a standstill and unable to secure financing, this loan renewal helps Olive 8 earn its distinction as an urban and sustainable condominium project that has been able to move forward as planned while continuing to be a desirable option for buyers.

Olive 8 is Seattle’s first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certified (Silver) hotel/condominium building.  Hyatt at Olive 8 occupies the first 17 floors with another 22 floors of luxury condominiums above.  Of the 229 condominium homes, 51 have closed.  A wealth of new research indicates green building is forward-thinking, offers many long-term financial benefits and is an investment that pays off in terms of lower energy and water bills, as well as healthier indoor air.

R.C. Hedreen President David Thyer says, “As the developer, it’s not unexpected for us to think Olive 8 is unique and will hold its value in the long-term.  But the extension of this loan syndication led by our long-time partner, U.S. Bank, reinforces our belief that this hotel/condominium combination in the heart of Seattle is a project with a strong future.  We see it as a very positive sign in what has been a slow and challenging market.”  Olive 8 was designed by the internationally acclaimed New York City firm Gluckman Mayner Architects in partnership with local architect, MulvannyG2.

Minneapolis-based U.S. Bank’s history of doing business with R.C. Hedreen dates back 15 years, with a variety of projects being financed over the years.

“We are proud to be involved with the construction of Olive 8, which shares our commitment to quality and environmentally-sound business practices that help sustain our resources and the environment,” says John Swanson, senior vice president in commercial real estate at U.S. Bank. “Also, this a shining example of the fact that U.S. Bank is a strong leader within the banking industry, and that we continue to make loans and provide financing to projects like Olive 8, even in this difficult economy.”

Due to its sustainable design and construction, which includes one of the largest green roofs in Seattle, Olive 8 is expected to use 23-percent less energy and 36-percent less water than a comparable non-green building.  It is the first building in Seattle to participate in King County’s Transfer of Development Rights program; in exchange for higher building rights, R.C. Hedreen paid nearly one million dollars toward the preservation of 284 acres on Sugarloaf Mountain in rural King County, as well as vital salmon habitat. The carbon footprint of the Olive 8 building will soon be reduced by 21-percent when Seattle Steam Company, which provides heating for the hotel, will begin using mostly biomass as fuel instead of natural gas. Olive 8 also features preferred parking spaces for highly fuel-efficient vehicles and outlets for electric cars in the underground parking lot.

About Olive 8

Olive 8 is a 39-story luxury hotel/condominium building, with the lower 17 floors occupied by Hyatt at Olive 8 and 229 condominium homes on the top 22 floors. It is the first hotel/condominium building in Seattle to receive LEED Certification (Silver). The developer is R.C. Hedreen Company.  Founded in Seattle in 1963, R.C. Hedreen has developed, owned and managed investment projects including hotels, retail, high-rise office buildings, and single and multi-family residences. In recent years, Hedreen has focused primarily on luxury hotels with a portfolio that includes the Grand Hyatt Seattle, Seattle Hilton Hotel and the Seattle Madison Renaissance Hotel. The local architect for Olive 8 is MulvannyG2 (previous partners with Hedreen on the Grand Hyatt Seattle) in collaboration with design architect Richard Gluckman of Gluckman Mayner Architects in New York City. Hedreen’s construction manager for the building was JTM Construction. Condominium sales are handled by Coldwell Banker Bain Builder Solutions. For more information, visit www.olive8.com.

About U.S. Bank

U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB), with $265 billion in assets as of September 30, 2009, is the parent company of U.S. Bank, the sixth largest commercial bank in the United States. The company operates 3,002 banking offices in 25 states and 5,170 ATMs, and provides a comprehensive line of banking, brokerage, insurance, investment, mortgage, trust and payment services products to consumers, businesses and institutions. Visit U.S. Bancorp on the web at usbank.com.

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Media Contacts:

Kathleen Warren, Parsons Public Relations

Kathleen@parsonspr.com / 206.789.5668

Jennifer Wendt, U.S. Bank

jennifer.wendt@usbank.com / 612.303.0731

[mappress]