<-me & Anne  (Kirkland Living Mag) rolling rugged chic

Who doesn’t love a hard hat tour?! It sure feels official, which is why I jumped at the chance to take one and hear what’s coming in the next phase of The Village at Totem Lake.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

There are two apartment communities, "Aura Totem Lake" from Trinsic Residential Group and Fairfield Residential "North" and "Aspect" that will be operating as one and bringing Kirkland 850 new 931+ sf homes.  Apartment pricing and leasing details will be available in Nov and completion is targeted for Q4 2019 thru Q4 2020.  There are multiple courtyards and shared spaces for working and recreating, a golf simulator, pool, bike and kayak storage and doggie facilities.  The apartments we walked through are nicely appointed with crisp modern white/gray/navy color palettes, stainless steel appliances and washer/dryer. I was standing with our mayor, Penny Sweet, who shared, “that was even better than I was expecting!” about our apartment tour.  When I was wondering about nearby green space, she also reminded me that Totem Lake Park that is nearby and getting ready to undergo a transformation.

  <-City Mgr, Kurt Triplett  <- Where's Waldo?

The Cinemark theater, scheduled for completion in Q2 2020, will have 8 auditoriums and 900 reserved seats with electric-powered over-sized luxury  loungers. No more driving to Bellevue or Woodinville for a movie- score!  The theater will be flanked with restaurants and a perhaps a beer hall and ‘plenty of wine’ they tell us (now you're talking). On Oct 25^th an Australian branded store called Anko,  located betweeen Nordstrom Rack and Trader Joe's, will open its doors to the public.  They started out with pop-up stores in the US that people went bonkers for, and so they started opening stores in the Seattle area.  Their goods include home decor, kitchen and bath essentials, dining, clothing, pet and more all in a boutique style.   The Village store will be their 5^th, where they plan to offer us “warm colorful inviting great-styled products at amazing prices, “ said Morgan from Anko.  They strive to foster creativity and inspiration and partner on a local level, also offering different DIY classes to the community. I'm really curious to check this one out! I have some friends that tell me Anko is awesome.

      <--major transformation happening in Anko's 7000 sf by 10/25

Joe’s Burgers is also opening later this month.  You know your burgers  by now, Kirkland, but also expect to find shakes, hot dogs and alternative beef options here.  Galo’s Flame Grilled Chicken will be cooking up some grilled chicken with  Portugese piri-piri sauce and spice, along with salads, wraps, burgers and bowls.  Both Galo's and  Sephora , that has 25,000 beauty products from 400 carefully curate brands, are slated for  Q2 2020. And in case you (and your skateboarder/teenager) missed it, Zumiez has already opened right next to Anthony Vince Nail Spa, where nails and champagne go hand in hand. You can look forward to 211 retail parking spaces in the new parking deck.....that’s always good news. 

It’s amazing to think of the transformation that has occurred in what used to be a tired crusty shopping center of yesteryear.  I love the renewed vibrancy that The Village at Totem Lake has brought to this northeast corner of Kirkland.  What else would you love to see at The Village?  I thought maybe a Warby Parker.  Soul Cycle. True Foods Kitchen. Bubble Tea.   More restaurants-- but not big chains. Sports store? Furniture store? Share your wish list in the comments! There are still a few retail spaces to fill.