Local

8 major land and housing transformations in Pierce County

Stories by Tacoma News Tribune journalists, with AI summarization

Housing and land transformations in Tacoma indicate an shift toward multifamily development. Financial difficulties faced by developers, as seen in the case of Harbor Custom Development's bankruptcy, pose challenges to sustaining multifamily projects.

Meanwhile, the success of new developments like the Pottery Creek Apartments in nearby regions suggests a growing market for structured and rent-restricted units. Furthermore, significant sales and redevelopment efforts, including the acquisition of a former bank site for apartment construction, illustrate a real estate market pivoting toward housing densification near transit and urban centers.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Mount Rainier is prominent on the horizon on the drive into Tehaleh’s Glacier Pointe, located down Cascadia Blvd East, “on the less traveled offshoot at the 198th roundabout,” according to Tehaleh’s website.

NO. 1: MILLION-DOLLAR HOMES AND MORE COMING TO TEHALEH. HERE’S WHAT’S IN THE WORKS

Master-planned community closes on other recent parcel sales as part of area’s second phase. | Published January 5, 2024 | Read Full Story by Debbie Cockrell

This building originated in the early 1900’s as a school building and was passed through multiple occupants until 2018 and hasn’t been used since. One group is trying to destroy it, but many alumni who once attended the school are speaking out against that idea. By Clare Grant

NO. 2: PLAN TO TURN OLD SCHOOL INTO COMMUNITY CENTER IN JEOPARDY. ARE APARTMENTS ON HORIZON?

Without $333,000 in donations by April 1, the historic landmark near Pacific Lutheran University could be razed. | Published February 4, 2024 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

This aerial from Harbor Custom Development’s online project page shows Pacific Ridge Apartments, 8445 Pacific Ave. in Tacoma.

NO. 3: LOCAL BUILDER’S BANKRUPTCY PLAN INCLUDES SHEDDING APARTMENT BUILDINGS ACROSS SOUTH SOUND

The plan still must be approved by a U.S. bankruptcy judge. | Published February 21, 2024 | Read Full Story by Debbie Cockrell

Bella Vista Apartments, 3502 S. Mason Ave., was sold May 7.

NO. 4: SOUTH TACOMA APARTMENT SITE SELLS FOR MORE THAN DOUBLE ITS SALE PRICE IN 2013

New owner also owns another larger apartment site in Tacoma. | Published May 10, 2024 | Read Full Story by Debbie Cockrell

A local development firm is hoping to build proposed townhomes near Charlotte’s Blueberry Park, on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, in Tacoma, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 5: ARE 100+ TOWNHOMES THE SOLUTION FOR TROUBLED PROPERTY NEAR TACOMA PARK? OPINIONS DIFFER

The project is set for public review this fall, nearly two years after an initial proposal was filed with the city. | Published September 5, 2024 | Read Full Story by Debbie Cockrell

KeyBank’s Proctor branch, 3917 N. 26th St. is set to close effective April 26.

NO. 6: GOODBYE FORMER PROCTOR BANK BRANCH, HELLO APARTMENTS: HERE’S WHAT’S BEING CONSIDERED

The project is valued at approximately $23 million. | Published October 21, 2024 | Read Full Story by Debbie Cockrell

Phase 2 of Pottery Creek Apartments in Port Orchard is now leasing.

NO. 7: GIG HARBOR-BASED DEVELOPER OPENS SECOND PHASE OF APARTMENT COMPLEX IN PORT ORCHARD AREA

Pottery Creek Apartments is a multi-building “garden style” complex that includes rent-restricted units. | Published November 29, 2024 | Read Full Story by Debbie Cockrell

This aerial shows the parcel bundles in a nearly 30-parcel collection that have been marketed/sold in Lakewood since 2022, with the last ones sold recently.

NO. 8: OWNER’S VAST LAKEWOOD PROPERTY SELLOFF OVER 2 YEARS CLEARS WAY FOR HOUSING NEAR TRANSIT

The last of the bundled-parcel sales to different owners was recently completed. The sales have cleared the way for apartment/townhome projects. | Published December 5, 2024 | Read Full Story by Debbie Cockrell

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.