Tag: travel

Moonies in Tacoma

photo: Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty images

Cancelled in Japan

Last month, a court in Japan revoked the tax-exempt status of the Unification Church. According to BBC News, part of the case against the church stemmed from claims that its members were required to make huge financial contributions and other financial sacrifices. The church was created in 1954 under the name “Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity” but recently rebranded as “Family Federation for World Peace and Unification.” Its members are popularly called “Moonies” after its founder Sun Myung Moon. The church gained notoriety starting in the 1960s for its mass wedding ceremonies. And while the court ruling in Japan will likely be appealed, it does bring to question the activities of the Unification Church in this country.

Demolition of Historic Seattle Mansion

photo: MOHAI

The Unification church made local headlines last year when it announced they were selling a historic mansion in Seattle for $7 million dollars. Located in the exclusive Windermere neighborhood, the mansion was built in 1907 by Rolland Denny, a member of an early Seattle pioneer family. Named “Loch Kelden” the property was purchased by the Unification church in 1974 for $175,000 for use as a retreat center. Along with the sale announcement came news that the church intended on demolishing the structure as the developer buyers were interested only in the land and not a historic mansion. By having the church file for demolition, the developers were able to take advantage of a loophole in state law that allows churches to bypass processes which protect registered historic properties.

Meanwhile in Tacoma

photo: Pierce County Assessor’s Office

More locally, the Unification Church appears to own a 3-acre property in Tacoma at 5230 South Mullen. According to information obtained from the County Assessor’s website, the property has a 3 bed/2 bath home and is registered to “Holy Spirit Association, Malloch David D.A., 5230 S Mullen St, Tacoma.” An online search did not result in a church existing at the location which was confirmed by visiting in person. A visit to the site along a road marked “private” did not reveal any signage or indication that it was church property. The assessed value of the property according to the County is $806,600 and would have generated $8,789 in property tax this year.

Property at 5230 South Mullen in Tacoma

BBC News article on Japan court case: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cge1lr7225yo

Seattle Times article on the Loch Kelden mansion: https://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/a-piece-of-seattle-history-disappears-with-the-demolition-of-loch-kelden/

Tacoma Multifamily Market Update for Q1 2025

photo: Rook Apartments

By Morgan Alexander

Despite the current uncertainty in the economy, the Tacoma commercial multifamily real estate market continues to show resilience – although at a slower than typical pace. Another sign of the times is a drastic decline in new projects. Up until a year ago, one could see many construction cranes over downtown. Today there are none. And while incentives such as free rent are often used to help attract new tenants, the amount of free rent now being offered is especially noteworthy, with many offering more than two months free rent. Representing 1,524 new units, the following is a summary of recently completed multifamily projects located in and around the downtown core.

MIDTOWN

Featuring a fireside lounge, rooftop bar, and outdoor kitchen cabana, The Rook Apartments, at 1502 Fawcett Ave is filling up. The 368-unit building is sitting at a 33% vacancy rate since opening late last year. 

The Moraine, a 160 unit building at 1402 Tacoma Ave South, is slowly filling up since opening Spring of 2024 with a 56% vacancy. The Moraine features a sundeck and is pet friendly.

The Analog Tacoma at 411 S 15th St is a 115 unit building that opened March of 2023. Vacancy here is holding at a tight 6%. The Analog features a rooftop deck, retro lounge & courtyard, and is pet friendly.

The Ellis at 1909 Fawcett Ave is a 174 unit building located within walking distance to UWT. Since opening last Spring, the building is slowly filling up with a vacancy rate of 39%.

DOWNTOWN

The Astor, also known as the historic Washington Building, has been open for a few years now and is holding at a vacancy rate of 7%. Originally finished just before the Great Depression  in 1925, the Astor is the second tallest building in Tacoma 

BREWERY DISTRICT

After a rocky start, the 178 unit Jefferson Flats project at 2515 S Jefferson Ave opened in the Spring of 2024 and is sitting at a respectable 6% vacancy.

DOME DISTRICT

Cornus House located at 2502-2512 Pacific Ave opened in December 2024. The 199 unit  micro-apartment building quickly filled up and has a 7% vacancy rate

Data source: http://www.apartments.com