Published December 2002

‘Urban oasis’ planned
for Stanwood area

Illustration courtesy of Lindstrom Development Group The Village Commons in Stanwood will include office and retail space on the lower level, with as many as 120 condominium units on the floors above.

By Kate Reardon
Herald Writer

Mix a dash of rural ambience with the conveniences of a larger city, and you’re likely to see plans for the $30 million Village Commons project.

Lindstrom Development Group of Stanwood plans to construct five mixed-use buildings in an area adjacent to the Stanwood Pavilion cinema and restaurant complex, said Sol Baron, president of the group.

“Stanwood was a great choice for a number of reasons,” Baron said. “It’s a wonderful formula. Create more density, keep it interesting — like an urban oasis.”

Amenities such as medical and dental services, a grocery store and an athletic club are already within walking distance.

Plans for the first building call for 15,000 square feet of office and commercial space with 54 condominiums on the top three floors of a four-story building.

There will be 80 covered parking stalls for residents. The building will also have two elevators and be wired for high-speed Internet access.

Office and retail space on the main level could attract medical and dental groups, as well as boutique-style shops.

Windermere is selling the units with prices starting at $175,000 for one-bedroom, two-bathroom units and $190,000 for units with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Larger units also will be available, Baron said.

Seniors and empty nesters who want to stay close to their families in the area are likely residents, Baron said.

The units will range in size from 990 square feet to 1,800 square feet.

“This project will allow people to have the opportunity to experience small-town life but in housing that rivals what is found in Seattle or the Eastside,” said Dan Lien of Windermere.

Baron said he hopes to start construction sometime next summer, with an opening date in spring 2004.

Swinerton Builders, one of the largest construction companies in the country, will construct the project, Baron said.

The Lindstrom Group, which maintains ownership of some of the project already, includes Baron; his father, Mayer Baron; and Jim Robertson.

The first Village Commons building will be the cornerstone for a new streetscape and will connect two existing strip-mall buildings behind the Haggen supermarket and the movie theater.

Designers wanted to create a building that would resemble those that once graced Stanwood and other small Puget Sound area towns, but would still be comfortable and secluded, said Dan Nelson of Designs Northwest Architects.

Nelson and Gregory Minaker worked on the design. The complex also will include a half-acre courtyard, which is twice the size of the atrium at the nearby Pavilion Cinemas and restaurants.

The courtyard will be a parklike setting with a fountain, gazebos, a hot tub and fireplace, as well as a trellis, grass and flowers.

The condos will have views of the courtyard. Some will have views of the Cascades or Olympics.

Windermere has begun to accept reservations on the condo units, though no money is required at this time.

Two more mixed-use buildings would bring a total of 120 condominiums to the site and 37,000 square feet of office and commercial space. Two additional single-story buildings would add another 30,000 square feet of office and commercial space.

Plans are still in the preliminary stages, but Lindstrom has asked the city to approve a zoning overlay to allow for housing in the area, which is located east of downtown Stanwood.

Baron said he doesn’t want his project to take away from old downtown. In fact, he hopes the new “uptown” will complement the historic area.

For more information, see www.villagecommons.info on the Web or call Windermere Realty in Stanwood at 360-629-8233.

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