In Woodinville, visions of Tuscany in new 24-acre village

Picture Seattle's University Village, and that gives a taste of what's developing along Woodinville's south edge, but with three stories of people living upstairs.

The Tuscan-style Woodinville Village has signed on four wineries as major tenants. They're the Brian Carter Cellars, DeLille Cellars, the DiStefano Winery and Washington Wine, said Mike Raskin, founder and partner of Kirkland-based MJR Development, which is building the project.

The Sun Spa and Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizza are waiting to move in, and negotiations are taking place with a hotel, grocer, health clubs, wine shops and galleries.

The nearly 750,000-square-foot project would consist of 315 condos, an 11,687-square-foot grocery and 125,000 square feet of retail space on 24 acres.

Parts of the village are planned for opening in 2008, with completion expected in 2009, Raskin said.

Underground work for water and sewer lines is completed, and buildings are starting to rise above ground level.

"Tourist buses from cruise ships will stop" at Woodinville Village, Raskin said. "We're trying to put this great people space together."

Raskin and his team envision the buildings and fountains all grouped around a town square modeled after an Italian village. The developers compare the concept to Seattle's University Village, with a mix of boutique shops and open-air walkways where people will congregate.

The project is taking shape through meetings like one held this month at the architectural firm of Weber+Thompson in downtown Seattle.

The subject was the amenity design for the entry hall for condos in Building K, also called Solera. The building is to be on the western edge of the property, south of Northeast 145th Street, overlooking the Sammamish River, with views stretching to Mount Rainier.

Inside the 5,500-square-foot entry building will be an elevator, tasting room, mail room, flexible-use room, restrooms, and active and quiet verandas, said Laura Greenamyer, Weber+Thompson senior associate and interior designer.

The building will feature one extra Tuscan touch, Raskin said.

"Instead of exercise rooms, we'll have a wine cellar," said Raskin. The 4,400-bottle cellar is a carefully considered feature, designed to appeal to a particular demographic of buyers, with each condo owner getting to keep wines in the cellar.

Plus the Sammamish River Trail is right outside for biking, running or kayaking.

The entry hall area will eventually serve some 80 condos of about 800 square feet to 1,450 square feet and costing from $300,000 to $1 million.

Work on Building K is expected to begin in October, with an 18-month construction phase and completion likely in 2009.

"In five years, if there are kids playing, people hanging out, we'll be able to say, 'Yes, we will have done it right,' " said Raskin.

Peyton Whitely: 206-464-2259 or pwhitely@seattletimes.com