Since the unveiling of the University of Washington Tacoma’s sprawling University Y Student Center last January, a two-story mural adorning the lobby has welcomed visitors with views into Tacoma’s past and present. Completed by Tacoma artist Chelsea O’Sullivan, the painting depicts a modern container ship alongside a much older one, paying homage to the Longshoremen’s Hall union building that previously stood on the project site for 60 years, as well as the union and its members. The title reads: “In Unity There’s Strength.” The collaborative effort behind the design and construction of the University Y Student Center and recent accolades reflect that very theme.

This year was my first time walking the Property Tour with NAIOP. When I registered, I thought, There is no way I could spend my whole day at this event. For sure, I would drop by, have lunch and go back to work. At 4:55 p.m., I looked at my half-drunk glass of wine at Evo’s Happy Hour and wondered where the time had gone.

It all began with lunch under an expansive tent on Kilroy’s Fremont Lake View Plaza. A panel of the who’s who in Fremont created quite the conversation over lunch. Robert Hendricks (Tableau), Rachel Yang (Joule), TJ Lehman (Mack Urban), Bryce Phillips (Evo), Mike Shields (Kilroy), and Michael Osterfeld (Fremont Dock Co.) answered a variety of questions posed by moderator Kyle Branum of Riddell Williams. 

On Thursday, June 25, NAIOP and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound united to put on the annual BIG Invitational golf tournament at Washington National. The eighth installment of this scramble tournament went off without a hitch, drawing a full course and completely sold-out sponsorships; $75,000 was raised for Big Brothers Big Sisters, the best year yet!

“We’ll need a bigger course for next year,” says Jeff Davis, NAIOP and BBBSPS board member. The NAIOP South Sound Committee—Jeff Davis of Davis Property & Investments, Michelle Clingingsmith with Kilroy, Monte Decker with CBRE and Sean Durkin of The Andover Company—worked together to fill the sponsorships, and a big thanks goes out to the staff at Big Brothers Big Sisters for running yet another tournament flawlessly.

On behalf of the South Sound Committee, BIG Tournament subcommittee and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound, we would like to thank all of our event sponsors for their generosity and helping us put on a great event. They are the key to the success of this fundraising event, and even went so far as to make sure all of us golfers were well lubricated and entertained at every hole. We are all looking forward to seeing everyone again in 2016!

Title & Company: Senior Associate, Weber Thompson

More than ever before, developers are incorporating public art into their projects in the interest of adding both aesthetic beauty and brand distinction to their real estate investments. They realize that art—if done thoughtfully and collaboratively—can serve to draw positive attention to their buildings, particularly in mixed-use buildings that bring together an eclectic mix of urban audiences.

Hello and welcome to the new blog for NAIOP Washington State. Our goal is to post short updates as needed for NAIOP members. We welcome your comments and story ideas—send them to [email protected]. Stay tuned for our first post!