The empty lot at 5423 Shilshole Ave NW, near the old Yankee Grill may soon become a four-story building. A Land Use application has been submitted for the building which will have 100,000 square feet of office, 1,715 square feet of retail, parking for 160 vehicles and one caretaker’s unit.

This is right next to the proposed hotel, The Point at Salmon Bay. Construction on the 166-room hotel was supposed to start last year, but so far there’s been no activity at the site. We touched base with owner Don Schwartz who says they’re still working on financing and could break ground on Ballard’s newest hotel as early as November.