SZ: On the Boards | May/June 2021

This issue focuses on the positive impacts we bring to our community, through property development, design, construction, art and philanthropy. SZ believes that conscientious leadership is the key to success and prosperity for all.

REAL ESTATE

ViV Crossing - Rêve Development

Rêve is the French word for ‘dream’, and we dream of exciting opportunities to enhance our local community through creative and impactful property development. ViV Crossing, at the intersection of Rainier Ave S and MLK Jr Way in Seattle, is well on its way to bringing one of such dreams into reality.

This Transit Oriented Development (TOD), 8-story building is designed to respond to its angular site, serving as the ‘Flat Iron’ of the Mt Baker neighborhood. In addition to the 172 residential rental units (SEDUs, Studios & One-Bedrooms), ViV Crossing features a spectacular rooftop amenity with indoor and outdoor areas to gather and enjoy the sweeping views from downtown Seattle to the North to Mt Rainier towards the South. This new development will activate the ground level with 3,000 sf for Retail /Restaurant use, along with very cool Live/Work Lofts.

Along with our fabulous team of collaborators, including Encore Architects and Graham Construction, we look forward to seeing this vision come to life!

Suzanne Zahr is an equal partner along side Michael Ross and Rob Spitzer of Rêve Development. With our combined background in real estate law, design, construction and property development, Rêve’s team handles complexities with ease to ensure that these dreams can become a reality.

CONSTRUCTION

Care for the Cottage.

Whether you are a supporter of early childhood education, performing arts, youth development through horsemanship, or preservation of historical places - you can check all those boxes with this one special cause. 

Built in 1918, the teacher’s Cottage and the adjacent Lakeview Schoolhouse (home to Sunnybeam) are both listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The fire it suffered 3 years ago left the dwelling uninhabitable. As a very rare gem of island history this cottage can’t be left to rot! 

In the early 60’s, community-based Pioneer Park Youth Club, took over the property as a land trust with a mission to foster the learning of children. This goal already has a rich history through occupants Sunnybeam, Children’s Dance Conservancy, and MI Saddle Club, plus newcomer MI Pony Club. We need this cottage as a home for a caretaker to oversee safety and maintenance for this lively place which has seen hundreds of kids and families go through its gates for a century and will for decades to come!

Please consider donating to our grassroots fundraiser: ‘Care for the Cottage’! We’re asking you, our Mercer Island neighbors, to make a tax-deductible contribution to fund the cottage restoration. 

Suzanne Zahr proudly serves as a Board Member of the Mercer Island Saddle Club and has donated Architectural Services towards the historic Cottage.

BOARD MEMBER

Discover the SUMM Spark!

The Seattle Universal Math Museum takes you on a math journey. We create opportunities for exploration, discovery, and growth.

Last month we unveiled our new logo designed by renowned New York based graphic design superstar, Cory Schmitz. SUMM’s logo represents bringing the wonder of math and creativity together to have fun. Designer Schmitz said the inspiration for the logo came from the basic math operations, creating a “spark”.

HAVE YOU JOINED THE MATH CLUB?

Put your numbers to work in one of our giving clubs! At SUMM we strive to make math fun for everyone while creating the future for experiential math education and inspiration.

Suzanne Zahr proudly serves as a Board Member of SUMM.

FIRST FRIDAY - WE’RE BACK!

Red, White & Blue by Debra Van Tuinen.

"Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit.”
— E.E. Cummings

It’s with great pleasure & delight that we re-launch our First Friday tradition! Please join us this First Friday, July 1st (and Second Friday, July 9, along with Clarke + Clarke, Barrels and other local Mercer Island businesses), as we welcome back celebrated PNW artist, Debra Van Tuinen.

Kick off your 4th of July festivities with a cocktail, fine arts and an outdoor plaza gathering at the SZ Gallery. We miss you & can’t wait to see you, in person!

FIRST FRIDAY RE-LAUNCH: July 2nd, 5 - 7PM
Mercer Island ART WALK: Friday, July 9th, 5 - 7PM
MEET THE ARTIST: Friday, August 6th, 5 - 7PM

JOIN THE TEAM

We’re Hiring!

SZ Design | Build continues to take a symbiotic approach to designing and building creative environments. Suzanne empowers her team to bring creativity and ingenuity to life in close collaboration with residential, corporate and retail clientele. Explore current job openings (including Summer Intern) on our website. Think you’d be a good candidate? We’d love to hear from you, or forward to your talented friends!