An investor sees potential in Pioneer Square; semifinals begin at the World Cup, and a West Seattle High School graduate was picked by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the MLB Draft.
Time to bet on Pioneer Square: why a Seattle investor sees potential here
In a commercial real estate world where office towers sit empty and downtowns are being reshaped, an unexpectedly optimistic voice cut through the noise. A Seattle investor, whose views are outlined in a The Business Journals report, said the historic Pioneer Square district is the best place to invest right now. That claim goes against the overall caution in the West Coast office market, where vacancy rates remain high after the pandemic. But it’s precisely in this context that the investor is asking people to look at Seattle’s oldest neighborhood as an undervalued asset.
Pioneer Square is more than just a dot on the city map. It’s where Seattle began; where brick buildings from the 19th century have been preserved; and where today technology startups, cultural spaces, and small businesses are concentrated. The investor’s key argument is that after several years of decline—sparked by tenant departures following the 2020 protests and the subsequent drop in foot traffic—the area has hit “rock bottom.” That means buying assets here is entering at a low point, with strong upside as people return to the city and new projects get underway, such as the renovation of Washington Park and nearby spaces with the involvement of architecture firm LMN.
To understand the logic, it helps to break down the idea of the “commercial real estate cycle.” Office and retail markets go through periods of boom and bust. Now, as many corporations reduce office space, building prices fall—especially in areas that have been viewed as “problematic” in terms of safety and convenience. The investor highlighted in the article specializes in distressed assets—properties you can buy at a discount and then revitalize. In his view, Pioneer Square has a unique advantage: its proximity to two of the largest sports venues (Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park), the King Street Station transportation hub, and Amazon’s new campus. With flexible work arrangements, hybrid offices and creative clusters in historic buildings are becoming more in demand than standard business centers.
Among the key data that could validate this optimism are statistics on rental rates and deals. According to the article, over the past year Pioneer Square has seen several major leases, including a move by an architecture firm and by a technology incubator. We don’t have direct quotes from the investor, but it’s reasonable to assume he describes the neighborhood as “the last piece of affordable central space that hasn’t yet been repriced.” That would fit the broader picture, given how steeply priced rents remain in the nearby Belltown neighborhood and in downtown South Lake Union.
The consequences of this kind of outlook could be significant. If major institutional investors follow this private player’s lead, we could see property consolidation and a new cycle of redevelopment of historic buildings. For the city, that would mean Pioneer Square may become not an open-air tourist museum, but a living business and residential cluster. There are risks, though: the district still struggles with homelessness and petty crime, which can deter Class A office tenants. The investor is likely willing to take on those risks, betting on improvements to municipal programs and the natural healing of the environment.
Ultimately, the piece in The Business Journals paints a portrait of a bold player who sees today’s downturn as an opportunity. Pioneer Square is a test for all of Seattle: can the old downtown become a new draw in an economy that values character, authenticity, and transit access? While some people head to the suburbs, the article’s investor says the best time is always “rock bottom.” And, in his view, that moment has arrived.
The Final Four: what to expect from the World Cup semifinals
The World Cup is down to the finish line: four semifinalists have been determined—France, Spain, England, and Argentina. Each of these teams has already secured its name in the tournament history books, but the biggest battles are still ahead. The first semifinal will be on Tuesday: France and Spain will meet on the pitch at the stadium in Arlington, Texas. On Wednesday in Atlanta, England will play Argentina. The winners of these matchups will compete for the trophy on July 19 in New Jersey, while the losers will play for third place on July 18 in Miami.
So far, France has made the most striking impression in attack: the team has no losses and scored 16 goals in six matches. Spain, by contrast, has leaned on defense, conceding just one goal across the entire tournament and often finding ways to win in the final minutes. This matchup is a classic clash between the best attack and the best defense on the planet, with the national teams ranked first and third, respectively, in the FIFA standings. The match begins at noon Pacific time. The defending world champion, Argentina, reached the semifinals through a sequence of dramatic victories: the team won in extra time versus Cabo Verde and Switzerland, and also staged a comeback in the final minutes against Egypt. England, which hasn’t won the World Cup since 1966, is counting on a breakthrough from midfielder Jude Bellingham. Now one of these teams will either repeat Argentina’s triumph—or end England’s 60-year drought.
You can watch the matches on FOX, as well as for free on the FIFA+ platform and in select YouTube broadcasts. Paid options are also available. As noted in a FOX 13 Seattle report, the information is based on FIFA data and the outlet’s own reporting. It’s important to understand that unlike many club tournaments, the World Cup has no replays: if the match is tied in regular time, there is extra time (two 15-minute periods), followed by a penalty shootout. That is how Argentina advanced past Cabo Verde and Switzerland. It’s also worth noting that the third-place match, while often seen as consolation, becomes an important milestone for many teams—for example, for the host country or for teams making their first-ever run this far. But this year, the battle for third place will take place on July 18 in Miami between the semifinal losers. The final will be on July 19 in East Rutherford, New Jersey, at the New York New Jersey Stadium. This will be the tournament’s climax, where the winner of the World Cup will be decided.
Choosing the “Los Angeles Dodgers”: West Seattle High School graduate lands in professional baseball
Three years ago, Miles Gosztola was graduating from West Seattle High School, and now his name has come up in the Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft. A left-handed pitcher, he was selected in the eighth round by the Los Angeles Dodgers—one of the league’s most decorated teams. As reported by West Seattle Blog, Gosztola played for the University of Oregon, where he transferred from Gonzaga. In the Ducks’ starting rotation, the lefty posted steady numbers: a 3.61 ERA over more than 62 innings.
For those who aren’t steeped in baseball details, it’s worth clarifying: the MLB Draft is the mechanism that allows teams to choose young players from colleges and high schools. The eighth round is considered fairly high—the draft runs 20 rounds in total, and being selected in the top ten signals a serious level of scout interest. Left-handed pitchers are especially valued because their delivery from an awkward angle creates problems for batters. An ERA of 3.61 means that over nine innings, opponents earn fewer than four runs on average—an excellent figure for a starting pitcher at the college level.
The biggest suspense lies ahead: Gosztola has two weeks to decide whether to sign with the Dodgers and begin a professional career, or return to the University of Oregon for another season. The choice isn’t straightforward. On one hand, an eighth-round contract comes with a good bonus and a chance to break into the “big leagues.” On the other hand, another year in college could improve his position in a future draft. For West Seattle itself, it’s a point of pride: the local school is increasingly producing talent for big-time sports. Given the Dodgers’ ambitions and their need for left-handed pitching, it’s very possible that we’ll see Gosztola’s name on the legendary club’s farm system rookie list as early as next Sunday.
