In the homes themselves, premium finishes and fixtures will complement generous living spaces and voluminous ceiling heights with floor-to-ceiling windows. Large entertainment-sized terraces will adorn most homes with some sporting outdoor wet bars, integrated barbecues and private whirlpools. From this vantage point, residents will enjoy commanding views that will range from the Cascade mountain range to Mt. Rainier and to downtown Bellevue city lights. Or choose them all - a limited collection of penthouses will top off the towers in a combination of dramatic two-level and full-floor estates that are likely to fetch "in excess of $10 million,".

Beyond the many amenities provided within The Bravern, residents will have access to exclusive concierge and hospitality services such as in-room dining and housekeeping. Other amenities at The Residences will include a valet service, a business center with meeting spaces and an expansive "great room" events venue that opens onto an oversized pool terrace complete with private cabanas. The Bravern will also incorporate a full-service fitness club and day spa.

When complete, The Bravern will become a vertical village populated by more than 3,700 office workers on a daily basis and home to some 800 residents - not to mention the thousands of daily shoppers and patrons of restaurants and other services. The Office Commons will be completed by the summer 2008, followed by The Shops at The Bravern and the much-anticipated grand opening of Neiman Marcus in spring 2009. First occupancy for The Residences at The Bravern is scheduled for late 2009.

The Bravern isthe vision of development veteran Dan Ivanoff of Schnitzer Northwest, LLC.

"We set out to define the gold standard for mixed-use development in the region - incorporating the best in office, flagship shopping, fine cuisine, health, wellness and hospitality services and residential - all coexisting within one dynamic community," says Ivanoff. "Our master plan is themed on uncompromising luxury - so every decision we make at The Bravern is based on this unwavering mandate. I believe this (luxury) market has been underserved in Puget Sound - until now."

Of the 10 wealthiest zip codes in King County, Ivanoff says nine of them are on the Eastside. At the same time, most development in the area continues to be mainstream. Ivanoff feels the time is right for an exclusively high-end, integrated community for Puget Sound's most affluent consumers and residents alike.

His vision has already attracted the nation's premier retailer - Neiman Marcus - to build a three-story, 125,000-square-foot flagship store anchoring The Bravern. That's one of what could be up to 50 other boutiques, shops and restaurants to come. While the names of the other retailers remain confidential, Ivanoff hinted that they are courting the world's top retail brands that "one would expect to see on 5th Avenue in Manhattan’s Upper East Side or along Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.”

The retail storefronts and restaurants are located along an outdoor pedestrian emporium that winds through the property connecting the two Grand Arrival Courts at the entrances to The Bravern. Comprised of two- and three-level facades with timeless European-style architecture, the romantic neighborhood will include dramatic archways, fountains and water features, stone sculptures and meticulous gardens. There will also be several Italianate piazzas, which will be overlooked by public verandas and restaurant balconies from above. In addition to these retail shops, outdoor escalators will conveniently transport visitors to a plethora of residential services, art galleries and diverse eateries ranging from casual fare to international-class, multi-course restaurant concepts.

“Walking through The Bravern will feel like a convergence of Manhattan’s 5th Avenue shopping district and your most memorable European adventure - all while maintaining that intimate, personal atmosphere, which has become our signature here in the Pacific Northwest,” says Ivanoff.

By orienting the retail storefronts outward, The Bravern reverses the historic model of internalized malls that are typically found elsewhere in the Puget Sound region. Many of the open air walkways will be covered by architectural awnings for protection from the elements, and there will even be an outdoor fireplace creating an open-air living room.

Above it all will be The Residences at The Bravern. Soon, twin 30-story condominium towers will grace the Bellevue skyline high above the bustling activity below. The 450 condominium estates will range in size from less than 800 to over 5,000 square feet, attractive to second in-city homeowners and permanent residents alike.

If you are in search of Bellevue real estate and have narrowed down your choices to an exceptional Bellevue condominium, The Bravern is a choice that you won't be disappointed with! Luxury surrounds you at you Residence at The Bravern. There are several choices in fine high rise condo living in Bellevue including Bellevue Towers, One Lincoln Tower and Washington Square. However, if high quality finishes, incredible restaurants, and out of this world shopping is your thing, The Bravern is the one!