A decade later, Madison Valley is close to welcoming 82+ new neighbors and a PCC grocery store

The Arbory development (Image: Studio Meng Strazzara)

No apples at the Madison Valley PCC, yet, just paperwork (Image: PCC)

Ten years ago this month, CHS first reported the plans in Madison Valley for a new grocery from PCC Natural Markets to be part of a mixed-use development replacing the neighborhood’s City People’s Garden Store.

This week, the permit paperwork is finally ready to begin the process of building out the 25,000-square-foot grocery store as construction of the 82-unit Arbory mixed-use development has reached its “tenant improvement” phase.

The Madison Valley development was delayed for years by a protracted land use battle. The main construction of the six-story building and 140-car underground parking garage is now mostly complete and units are hitting the market. A 600-square-foot unit weighs in at around $2,700 a month. Larger, near-1,200-square-foot units above the market come in just below $5,000.

(Image: Studio Meng Strazzara)

Meanwhile, the past decade has brought massive changes for the industry and grocery stores across Capitol Hill, the Central District, and surrounding neighborhoods. CHS reported here on the latest fallout as the 23rd and Jackson Amazon Fresh was shuttered as part of the retail giant’s shift to focus on its Whole Foods grocery brand.

In the time since the plans first came together along E Madison, PCC also opened an 18,000-square-foot market at 23rd and Union in 2020.

With its paperwork beginning at the Arbory, the Seattle-region cooperative chain appears to be on a path to becoming the central in-person grocery shopping experience in this area of the city’s core. The Madison Park Bert’s Red Apple and the MLK Grocery Outlet will also maintain their stalwarts. Meanwhile, residents of the 82 new homes above E Madison will be ready PCC customers.

The Arbory now stands at 2925 E Madison. Learn more at liveatarbory.com.

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