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Overview

The real estate developer Schnitzer West, LLC, commissioned the construction of The Bravern Office Commons, completed in 2010. This mixed-use complex had two office towers, one 12 stories, the other 23, a huge, below-grade, public parking garage capable of accommodating 3,134 vehicles, and space for retail shops. Nearby, two 34-floor towers, named "The Bravern Signature Residences," offered approximately 455 units of condominiums and rental apartments. The Bravern Office Commons and Signature Residence comprised a complex that occupied three-quarters of a city block bounded on the north by NE 8th Street, on the east by 112 Avenue NE, on the south by NE 6th Street and on the west by 110th Avenue NE. The Meydenbauer Center occupied the southeast quarter of the parcel.

Building History

The Bravern Office Commons was one of a number of towers--such as Lincoln Square and the Hyatt Regency Hotel--that went up on Downtown Bellevue, WA's skyline in the mid-to-late 2000s. Aimed at the luxury market, the Bravern opened at an inopportune time, just after the huge Recession of 2008. According to the developer, Schnitzer West's website, construction on The Bravern Office Commons began in 01/2009 and was finished by 09/2010. (See Schnitzer West.com, "The Bravern Office Commons," accessed 02/22/2024.)

Two office towers, one with 12 stories and 255,171 square feet, the other with 23 stories and 494,523 square feet, comprised the main portion of the complex. At its base, Schnitzer West created 305,000 square feet of retail space for luxury merchants including Louis Vuitton and Jimmy Choo. The Bravern's mall also featured a 125,000-square-foot Neiman Marcus Department Store. To accommodate shoppers, Schnitzer built a mammoth underground parking garage with seven floors and encompassing 35 acres.

Fortunately for Schnitzer West, the two office buildings were leased well before completion by the Microsoft Corporation in 2007. Schnitzler West LLC of Bellevue, WA, served as the developer of the Bravern. This development was scheduled for completion in 2009 with Microsoft filling both towers with its employees.

Ownership of The Bravern Office Commons changed hands by 01/2020. (See Newmark.com, "Newmark Completes the Sale of The Bravern Office Commons, a Microsoft-Occupied Trophy Office Property in Bellevue, WA," published 01/06/2020, accessed 02/22/2024.)

Due to telecommuting made more common during the COVID-19 epidemic, Microsoft began to reconsider its current leases on office space, particularly in Downtown Bellevue. By 09/2023, Microsoft decided to vacate the Bravern Office Commons and the Advanta Office Commons, also built by Schnitzer West. (See Alex Halverson, Puget Sound Business Journal.com, "Microsoft says it won't renew Bravern towers lease in downtown Bellevue," published 09/13/2023, accessed 02/22/2024.)

Building Notes

On 12/12/2010, the following stores operated at the Bravern Office Commons mall: Neiman Marcus, Anthropologie, Brooks Brothers Country Club, Cafe Coton, David Lawrence, DNA 2050, Eye Society, Hermes, Jimmy Choo, Karen Millen, Louis Vuitton, Masins. Parkside Paper, Gift, Piazza Sempione, Salvatore Ferragamo, Silberman Brown Stationers, Sur la table, Tory Burch, Wolford, and Bank of America; restaurants included: Mariposa at Neiman Marcus, Chocolopolis, John Howie Steak, Trophy Cupcakes, Vovito Caffe and Wild Ginger; other service providers included: David Barton Gym and the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa.