Bellevue Beat | Pokemon explores major expansion in new downtown Bellevue office tower

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Pokemon is in the early stages of a major expansion within downtown Bellevue. As first reported by PSBJ, Pokemon Co. International, a subsidiary of the Japanese-based Pokemon Co., is in talks to lease a significant portion of space in the upcoming 25-story The Eight office tower located in the heart of downtown.

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While no official lease agreement has been signed yet, the projected plan suggests that Pokemon could potentially occupy more than 300,000 square feet, which accounts for approximately 56% of the entire 540,000-square-foot office tower. This expansion could potentially accommodate between 750 and 1,000 employees, based on the estimates from the 2014 King County Buildable Lands Report, which assumes an average of 300 to 400 square feet per employee in the Bellevue Urban Center.

Pokemon currently has over 900 employees based in the Bellevue/Seattle area. The company has maintained a significant presence in Bellevue for nearly two decades, primarily located in Lincoln Square in downtown Bellevue.

The Eight office tower, situated on NE 8th Street at the intersection of 108th Avenue NE, is still under construction and is on track to be completed in the first quarter of 2024. The development is expected to announce multiple tenants in the coming months.

The Eight's project site was previously occupied by local businesses, including What The Pho, Money Tree, Fisker Auto, Thai Grill, Seattle Coffee Gear, Bach's Barbershop, Ishoni Yakiniku, and more.

What do you think about Pokemon's eyeing a major office expansion in downtown Bellevue? Share your comments on our Facebook page.

Published: October 16, 2023
The Eight renderings courtesy of Skanska USA Inc.

 

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