Slog - Comments on Pb Elemental’s Lead Balloon Bursts http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts Pb Elemental, the development firm behind some of Seattle’s most daring and innovative towers and houses, laid off 16 of its 50 employees last Friday. The layoffs are across the board, including architects, project managers, and adminstrative staff. “It makes us heartsick,” says Michael Boyd, a spokesman. “This is a regrettable thing that we did but a necessary business decision.” He cites the ailing economy and credit markets for the layoffs, but he wouldn’t name the specific projects that may have been canceled or postponed. "We’re not breaking that out at this point," he says, adding, “The residential market... Copyright 2008 Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:04:20 -0800 Fri, 17 Oct 2008 20:30:09 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by sam I'm curious if Pb is still planning on the great addition to the old Mike's LaCantina in South Park. Anyone from Pb care to chime in?

]]> sam http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1171670 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1171670 Boom Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:12:21 -0800 Comment by Carollani Where is that house? It was in Dwell magazine and I tried to drive around and find it on Saturday but couldn't. Does anyone know where it is?

]]> Carollani http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1171685 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1171685 Boom Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:24:00 -0800 Comment by nstop Hm, unsurprising. I live on the same block as some Pb Elemental units. Two price drops on the half unsold ones that have been available since early summer (I think?). But alas, it's a similar story with other housing nearby.

]]> nstop http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1171686 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1171686 Boom Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:24:12 -0800 Comment by thickturd 12th just north of john, i think

]]> thickturd http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1171687 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1171687 Boom Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:24:51 -0800 Comment by Carollani Really? The magazine said it was in Mount Baker...

Thanks for the tip, I'll check it out.

]]> Carollani http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1171690 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1171690 Boom Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:27:51 -0800 Comment by john that house is just north of 12th and john

]]> john http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1171691 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1171691 Boom Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:28:08 -0800 Comment by Dan Savage That is a beautiful house—but I'm not sure I'd want to live in it. Wouldn't curtains ruin the effect? And without curtains, isn't your whole life on display 24/7? And I'd hate to have to constantly keep the house clean for fear of what the folks driving, biking, and walking by might think.

]]> Dan Savage http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1171695 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1171695 Boom Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:36:12 -0800 Comment by Sir Learnsalot That sucks. This town could use some more good architecture.

]]> Sir Learnsalot http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1171696 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1171696 Boom Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:36:36 -0800 Comment by scary tyler moore that place is just a block and a half south of chez scary.

]]> scary tyler moore http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1171701 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1171701 Boom Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:40:04 -0800 Comment by Jubilation T. Cornball @7, Yessir, my Little Corporal stands straight to attention everytime I see that house. It's phenomenal.

As to the issues of privacy:

1. I'm sure that a suitably interesting window treatment -- gauzy, diffusing fabric versus full-on, white pleated common curtains -- would work just fine.

2. In a more advanced urban setting (NYC, say, or many cities in Europe), such concerns regarding privacy and cleanliness/order are considered passe. They are used to living on top of one another for hundreds of years, so these bourgeois concerns have dissipated.

]]> Jubilation T. Cornball http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1171707 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1171707 Boom Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:43:33 -0800 Comment by meks Carollani,

You may be getting the Cap Hill house mixed up with the Mt. Baker one, still for sale:

http://www.redfin.com/WA/Seattle/3844-37th-Ave-S-98118/home/8186242

It is at
3844 37th Ave S
Seattle, WA 98118

]]> meks http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1171717 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1171717 Boom Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:51:01 -0800 Comment by raisedbywolves Oh that sucks. Quality is always the first to go in times like these.

]]> raisedbywolves http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1171728 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1171728 Boom Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:00:37 -0800 Comment by thickturd dan, there's a great story about mies van der rohe's tall black towers on the LSD in chicago, that he was distraught at people having their own windowblinds and shades at different heights and different configurations. it messed with the austere look of the glass and steel facade. the next time he made a similar tower he specced out window treatments that were uniform and only allowed two settings--open and closed.

]]> thickturd http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1171738 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1171738 Boom Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:11:54 -0800 Comment by hillpagan Delightfully boxy? Really? Aren't pretty much all cheapo crappy structures boxy? Isn't boxy a bad thing?

]]> hillpagan http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1171739 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1171739 Boom Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:13:11 -0800 Comment by max solomon the architecture massacre isn't just @ pB. EVERY firm in town is laying off. typical for any recession.

16/50, or 32%, is a harsh toke, tho. projects are on hold across the board in every market - the credit freeze has real consequences.

]]> max solomon http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1171744 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1171744 Boom Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:21:12 -0800 Comment by yo mama max,
you are wrong.

we aren't letting anyone go.

and i know a few other firms that just hired folks.

but yeah, residential is hurting.

]]> yo mama http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1172052 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1172052 Boom Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:43:25 -0800 Comment by dirty dee thickturd, the house in dwell IS in mount baker, you are just getting it confused with the one in the photograph above (located @ 12th and John) because EVERY PB ELEMENTAL PROJECTS LOOKS EXACTLY THE SAME!!!

]]> dirty dee http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1172082 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1172082 Boom Mon, 13 Oct 2008 19:25:49 -0800 Comment by dirty dee's mom dee, my child, you are the one confused: the house shown above is located in capitol hill, and is located at 12th and john, and is the same house in dwell...different photography style.

dwell mislabeled the house. have a good nap.

]]> dirty dee's mom http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1172232 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1172232 Boom Tue, 14 Oct 2008 08:49:24 -0800 Comment by missy go back to architecture school you frat boy capitalists, this time maybe you'll finish your degree

]]> missy http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1175390 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1175390 Boom Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:29:21 -0800 Comment by capitalist democrat missy, don't be a hater.

]]> capitalist democrat http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1177713 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1177713 Boom Fri, 17 Oct 2008 13:12:34 -0800 Comment by jerry why critique a house when the article is about a company that in this economic climate had to resort to layoffs? It sucks that Pb has to be put on blast about their current economic situation, but it happening at a lot of places not just start ups,Mitun. But for those who love rubbing the salt. cheers, way to keep it classy seattle. I'm sure those who did loose their job love to hear how you hate their work.

]]> jerry http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1178019 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/pb_elementals_lead_balloon_bursts#c1178019 Boom Fri, 17 Oct 2008 20:30:09 -0800