Jeff from Bedrooms and More says:
It has been a long time coming. Five years and now we break ground. We will be having a ceremonial groundbreaking on Sunday, June 28th with the official bulldozing starting on the 29th.
Construction will pose challenges, both for us and neighbors. We will attempt, to our best ability, to make everything go as smoothly as possible but there may be inconveniences. Our plan is to have a building that all of Wallingford can be proud of and be a true “Gateway to Wallingford”.
Normally I would hate a building that size on 45th but that crosswslk could benefit from a more symmetrical structure to offset the brutish liquor store condos opposite and I like the design of this.
Maybe it’s just me, but this looks like one of those buildings that is ready to fall over. Is it politically incorrect to be plumb?
I like the windows.. but calling this a gateway to Wallingford is a misnomer. it is a gateway to construction land redevelopment neighborhood banishment.
“I like the windows.. but calling this a gateway to Wallingford is a misnomer. it is a gateway to construction land redevelopment neighborhood banishment.”
It’s reminiscent of when Skanska referred to the new Brooks headquarters at 34th & Stone as the “Trailhead for the Burke Gilman Trail.” Sigh.
Sorry if the name Gateway to Wallingford offends anyone. This was the phrase the Architectural Review Board used in their review of the project. It has also been stated to us by others seeing the project develop. Having been in Wallingford for 45 years and seeing the transition from being redlined (yes, they used to do that) by the city as being blighted, to a vibrant and prideful area, we have tried to make this new building something the community can be proud of. We have used all local companies in the design process – Stuart Silk Architects, Mountain Pacific Bank, SCL Enterprises, and local engineering firms, etc. It will be the first impression of Wallingford (unless you count the parking garage of Wine World). Throughout our 43 years since this store opened we have tried to be good neighbors. Wallingford has always been home to independent thinkers and there will always be differing opinions. Please understand that we are a local business supporting a community we call home and our intentions are to continue to be good neighbors. -Jeff & Wanda Garfield
Thanks for the info Jeff & Wanda.
I for one am not at all offended by “gateway.”
This is a welcome addition to the neighborhood. 45th has increasing been ill maintained with buildings looking like they carry some serious wear.
I have a question though. Who is paying for this project?
Will be great to see this project come to life.
Joy, this is a private project by Bedrooms N More to build their new store.
Joy, likely our children and grandchildren.
my latex mattress from Bedrooms & More is the best. bed. ever.
Local business, local jobs, commitment to creating something attractive and enduring: it’s all great, and all part of what will keep Wallingford a great neighborhood in the future.
I agree with runyararo, the latex mattress is the best mattress!! Also happy that they have chosen to stay in Wallingford!
As a Latona neighbor I’ll be glad to see this! Congrats to Bedrooms and More!
Congrats Bedrooms and More! Can’t wait to see the finished building.
Congrats to the bedrooms and more team/family. Thrilled to see this underway. That lot was beginning to rival the hole in the ground that the old Safeway in stone (now Prescott/ECA) for longest standing in limbo. Very friendly staff, our daughter lives her latex mattress we recently bought her there.
My wife and I are very excited to finally have a start date. Everything has taken longer than we thought. Some delays were ours (a change from steel and concrete to wood construction) and some were just that it takes a long time for design, engineering, financing and permitting. It was beginning to feel like the Safeway hole in the ground
This will be a nice addition to Wallingford. I appreciate the presence of Bedrooms and More as a long term resident. Nice to see the expansion. What will the “old building” be used for?
The “old” building will remain a part of Bedrooms & More but will have different types of furniture and accessories. The plan is a work in progress so if there are community ideas, suggestions will be entertained. The old Bedrooms & More signs will come off the building after the new store is open to be replaced with a new, but associated name.
I like it a lot. I liked the vacant lot because a a ruin and a little urban decay is nice to look at too, but a shiny new bulding that looks expensive and not like a cheap stucco job will be a great addition to the neighborhood.