By Amy Rowley
When Doug Heay, John Clees, Tim Dolby, Larry Poplack, and Bob Wubbena joined forces in Mission Street Investors, the result is the luxurious Priest Point Townhomes. The long-time local residents, business owners, volunteers, and community leaders saw an opportunity to create a unique living situation along East Bay Drive.
The epitome of urban living at its finest, the investment group has begun construction on the shell of nine custom town homes along Olympia’s waterfront. With easy access to all that downtown Olympia has to offer – waterfront dining, Priest Point Park, active water way, local festivals – the location is suitable for an active lifestyle.
Heay’s construction company, C&H Construction, is building three shells. Nine individual units will occupy the three buildings which compromise Priest Point Townhomes. Located on 1.5 acres just off East Bay Drive, the property owners have redeveloped a previously dilapidated piece of property.
While the shells are currently being built, the interior of each town home is truly at the discretion of the home owner. Each unit can be completely customized by its inhabitants. Heay expects some purchasers to put a more modern touch on their living space while others will turn to a more traditional approach.
One home owner may choose to put the master bedroom on the main floor while another couple will choose the upper level.
With between 3,000 – 4,500 square feet of living space and a two-car garage, each custom town home has an outstanding view of Puget Sound. The new construction will be fully modern, taking advantage of energy efficient building practices.
Another benefit of buying a Priest Point Townhome is that the investors and builders are all local. “We are living where we are building,” says Wubbena, who will become the first Priest Point Townhome resident with his wife in August.
Mission Street Investors are concerned about building a quality place in Olympia, their home town. Similarly, the team is approaching retirement themselves and therefore thinking along the lines of the individuals that will likely be living at Priest Point Townhomes.
The Priest Point Townhome project is proud to boast a “buy local” mentality when hiring contractors and collaborating with financial partners.
Locally owned C&H Construction is building the shells of the three buildings with funding provided by Washington Business Bank. Olympia Federal Savings stepped in to fund the mortgage for Wubbena’s purchase of the first unit. Wubbena notes that the two banks are working closely together on the project.
Olympia based engineering firm, MC Squared, performed the project design work. The talented Mort James architecture firm helped the investors through some roofline compromises with neighbors.
Gina Carlson and Dunamis Interiors is guiding the investment team on the “look and feel” of the space and consulting with property owners on interior design.
“The whole project is built strongly around local businesses and subcontractors,” says C&H Construction owner and project investor, Heay. “It’s our philosophy to use local people because it stimulates our economy. I would rather keep those dollars in Olympia.”
Heay reflects that this project may be his company’s first building where every subcontractor has been from the greater Olympia area. “From the framing on up, we have hired local subcontractors,” he continues.
Heay is also quick to note that he is very careful when selecting a subcontractor. “Everyone is a licensed, bonded contractor who pays their expenses and employees as they should. We carefully monitor these values,” he adds.
The site is possibly the final home of Olympia founding father, Edmund Sylvester. “Sylvester helped build the greater Olympia area with quality homes. If this was the site of one of his homes then we are continuing that legacy,” says Wubbena.
With wildlife and water at your doorstep, Priest Point Townhomes is an ideal setting for a retired couple.
To learn more about the Olympia custom town homes, click here.
