Bellevue selects developers for transit-oriented projects in BelRed Arts District

Published September 16 2025

The City of Bellevue has selected BRIDGE Housing and Su Development to build multifamily housing complexes with affordable housing and amenities for artists on two separate city-owned properties in the BelRed Arts District.

Both transit-oriented developments, next to the BelRed light rail station, will advance multiple city goals related to housing and economic development, in alignment with Bellevue's Affordable Housing Strategy.

"This marks a significant opportunity for the City of Bellevue, in both housing development and support of the arts and cultural ecosystem," said Bianca Siegl, director of the city's Office of Housing. "We look forward to continuing to expand housing opportunities for all to support thriving people and communities."

In July, the city solicited teams to design and construct housing, retail and community-oriented spaces on the two sites on 130th Avenue Northeast. BRIDGE Housing will develop the site at 1500 130th Ave. NE, while Su Development will develop the site at 1700 130th Ave. NE.

The city is in the process of negotiating final agreements with both developers.

• BRIDGE Housing will transform the now vacant 1.15-acre parcel in the 1500 block of 130th into an affordable housing community complete with integrated arts and cultural space. Supporting Bellevue's goal of creating or preserving 5,700 affordable housing units over the next 10 years, the project will deliver at least 172 affordable homes, including family-sized units for households at or below 80% of the area median income. The project will include design features that can accommodate artists who would like to create artwork within their living space, dedicated arts and cultural facilities to support the BelRed creative economy, public open space and gathering areas, and connection for residents to the nearby light rail station.
• In partnership with the city and Sound Transit, Su Development will replace a park-and-ride lot with a 302-stall parking garage and a mix of market-rate and affordable housing. The complex will include a ground-floor arts and culture hub featuring programs led by the BelRed Arts District Alliance, as well as small retail spaces for artists and creative entrepreneurs and a public arts plaza promoting the BelRed Arts District.

BelRed Arts District

The BelRed Arts District is home to more than 100 creative businesses and cultural organizations. The two proposed developments will continue the district's transformation into a versatile hub of connectivity - delivering new places to live, work, recreate and connect and create a cultural campus experience at the heart of BelRed.

The BelRed Arts District Community Alliance, a cultural nonprofit with the added mission of place management organization for the neighborhood, has been a key partner in helping the city to bring the district's vision to life.