Seattle Children's Research Institute

Seeing What’s Possible

Just one real estate move could indeed satisfy both short and long-term needs.

Challenge

Seattle Children’s Research Institute faced an immediate need for 60,000 sq. ft. of in-city interim lab and office space, and a longer-term need for a larger, permanent facility. Not only was the Institute facing two moves, but it was also facing a three-year wait, even for an interim move, assuming the specialty lab space needs would require building versus leasing.

Solution

Seattle Children’s is one of the most respected non-profits in the community, a fact Kinzer knew could be used to the client’s negotiation advantage. During the investigative phase, Kinzer discovered an expansive downtown building originally designed as a lab, that was now vacant and saddling a Fortune 100 company with an unwanted long-term lease. Kinzer quickly negotiated a discount on the leasehold.

At the same time, Kinzer entered into separate, confidential arbitrage negotiations with the building owner and the leaseholder — a move that resulted in the Institute’s successful purchase of a 220,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art office and lab building, at below replacement cost.

Additionally, Kinzer secretly assembled an adjacent building and a full block of adjacent properties totaling 1.7 million sq. ft., turning Children’s short-term solution into their long-term solution, and enabling just one move, three years ahead of schedule.

Applied Expertise

• Tenant representation
• Strategic planning
• Site identification, selection and lease
• Disposition services
• Assemblage and acquisition services