Everett Waterfront - Tygart Media

Category: Everett Waterfront

Port of Everett, $1B waterfront redevelopment, marina life, and waterfront news.

  • Everett Housing Market April 2026: One City, Three Price Bands, Three Different Markets

    Everett Housing Market April 2026: One City, Three Price Bands, Three Different Markets

    What is the Everett housing market doing in April 2026? Everett’s median home price is sitting in the mid-$500s — around $577K based on early-month data — while broader Snohomish County is around a $730K median, with average home values down roughly 5.8% year-over-year. The market has split sharply by price point: homes under $750K are moving quickly, the $750K-$949K range has cooled, and rentals are down about 2% year-over-year. Mortgage rates are holding near 6.17% and inventory is around 1.9 months countywide.

    We’ve been tracking the Everett housing market every couple of weeks because the story keeps moving. April 2026 is the month where a few of the trendlines finally settled into a clear picture, and that picture is more interesting than the simple “up or down” narrative the headlines tend to default to. Everett isn’t one market. It’s at least three markets stacked on top of each other, and each one is behaving differently.

    Here’s where things stand right now and what it means if you’re thinking about buying, selling, or holding.

    The headline numbers

    • Everett median home price: Approximately $577,000 (per early-April 2026 reporting, based on March 2026 closed sales)
    • Snohomish County median: Approximately $730,000 (per recent county-wide tracking)
    • Average Snohomish County home value: $705,515, down approximately 5.8% year-over-year (Zillow / county tracking)
    • Inventory: Approximately 1.9 months of supply countywide
    • Mortgage rates: Holding near 6.17% on the 30-year fixed (April 2026)
    • Sales activity intensity: 43.9% — characterized by local market trackers as a “functional, more rational” market rather than the buyer’s-market or seller’s-market extremes of the last few years
    • Rents: Down approximately 2% year-over-year on average

    None of those numbers are dramatic. That’s the point. The story of April 2026 is that the Everett market has stopped doing dramatic things and started behaving like a normal real estate market again. After several years of rate-driven volatility, that’s actually the news.

    Three markets, not one

    Average median prices hide what’s actually happening on the ground. Once you split Everett by price band, you get three very different markets:

    The under-$750K market: still moving

    Homes priced under $750K in Everett are moving quickly in April 2026. This is the bracket where most first-time buyers and step-up buyers are competing. With rates holding around 6.17% and inventory tight, well-priced homes in this range are still getting multiple-offer activity, especially in Bayside, Delta, View Ridge, and parts of Silver Lake where the inventory is older and well-located.

    If you’re a seller in this band, the playbook hasn’t changed much: price right, prep the house, and you’ll get traction inside two weeks in most cases. Overprice it and it’ll sit — buyers in this range are payment-sensitive and rate-aware.

    The $750K-$949K market: mixed, slower

    This is where April 2026 is getting harder to read. Homes in the upper-$700s through mid-$900s in Everett are showing mixed activity. Some are moving on the first weekend; others are sitting through multiple price cuts. The buyer pool here is thinner — payment math at $850K and 6.17% is meaningfully different than $550K and 6.17%, and the buyer profiles split between move-up families and second-home or investor activity that has cooled.

    Sellers in this band are increasingly pricing slightly below comps and offering rate buy-down credits to drive traffic. That’s a meaningful change from the seller-driven posture of 2021-2023.

    The $950K+ market: case-by-case

    Above $950K in Everett, the market is essentially case-by-case. There aren’t many transactions, the inventory turns over slowly, and individual deals can swing the median for an entire neighborhood. View-corridor homes in NW Everett, View Ridge, and Boulevard Bluffs are the most active subset; everything else moves on a longer timeline. If you’re selling here, you’re playing the patient seller’s game.

    Rentals: the other side of the same story

    Everett’s rental market is the quieter half of the housing story but it’s running in parallel. Average rents are down approximately 2% year-over-year in April 2026, the first sustained softening we’ve tracked since 2021. The driver is supply — the Sawyer, the Carling, and several smaller new-construction projects added meaningful inventory in 2024-2025, and the absorption has been steady but not aggressive.

    What that means in practice: tenants have meaningfully more leverage in April 2026 than they did 12 months ago. Concessions are more common. Renewal increases are smaller. New buildings are negotiating on price, parking, and free-month incentives. None of this looks like a collapse — vacancy is still low and the underlying demand is real — but the pricing power has shifted modestly back toward the renter side.

    For homeowners thinking about converting a unit to a long-term rental, the math now requires a sharper pencil. The “rent it out for whatever the market gives” approach that worked in 2022 doesn’t pencil cleanly in April 2026.

    What’s holding the market together

    Despite the year-over-year price softening, a few structural factors are keeping Everett’s market from following any sharper down-cycle pattern:

    Supply remains tight. 1.9 months of inventory countywide is still well below balanced-market territory (typically 4-6 months). Even in a softer pricing environment, a tight supply base prevents prices from falling faster.

    Mortgage rates are stable, not spiking. 6.17% isn’t cheap by 2020-2021 standards, but it’s predictable. Buyers can plan around it. The market damage in 2022-2023 came from rates moving fast, not from rates being high.

    Boeing employment is stable to growing. The North Line ramp at Paine Field and the broader 737/777X production cadence support a meaningful slice of the local buyer pool. As long as Boeing is hiring at Everett’s plants and SPEEA contract negotiations land cleanly, the wage base behind the housing market holds.

    Waterfront and downtown investment is real. The Sawyer/Carling occupancy at 95%, the new restaurants opening at Restaurant Row, the Millwright pre-leasing momentum, and the stadium decision queue up a credible “things are getting better” story for downtown-adjacent neighborhoods. That doesn’t move the median tomorrow, but it shapes the medium-term confidence story.

    What we’d watch next

    A few things to watch over the next 60-90 days:

    • The April 29 stadium vote. Whatever way it goes, it’ll affect downtown-adjacent housing demand and developer confidence in projects near the proposed site.
    • Rate moves. Anything that pulls the 30-year below 6% would meaningfully reactivate the upper-$700s through mid-$900s band that’s currently cooled.
    • The Millwright Phase 2 buildout sequencing. 300+ new units coming online over the next 18-24 months will affect both the for-sale and rental markets in the immediate waterfront/downtown corridor.
    • The Sound Transit Everett Link decision path. The DEIS coming this fall and the board decisions through 2027 will shape long-term demand around future station locations.

    What to do if you’re a buyer right now

    If you’re shopping under $750K, accept that you’re still in a competitive market and price your offers accordingly. Get fully underwritten before you tour. Move fast on the right house. Don’t chase, but don’t dawdle.

    If you’re shopping $750K-$949K, you have meaningfully more room than you did a year ago. Use it. Negotiate rate buy-downs into your offer. Ask for closing-cost contributions. The leverage is closer to balanced here than it has been in years.

    If you’re shopping $950K+, you have time. Tour broadly, take your time on the comps, and don’t be afraid to make a number-driven offer well under list. The patient buyer wins this band right now.

    What to do if you’re a seller right now

    Price right out of the gate. The “list high and see what happens” strategy of 2021-2022 actively hurts sellers in April 2026 — buyers are watching days-on-market and they read aggressive overpricing as desperation when the price drops eventually come.

    Prep the house. Buyers in 2026 are payment-sensitive and risk-averse. They want to see a house that won’t surprise them with $40K of immediate work. Pre-inspect, fix the obvious stuff, and price accordingly.

    If you’re selling above $950K, plan for a longer marketing window and consider a creative concession structure — rate buy-down, closing-cost credit, or short-term rate lock — rather than another price cut.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the median home price in Everett, WA right now?
    Approximately $577,000 as of early April 2026 reporting based on March 2026 closed sales. The county-wide Snohomish median is closer to $730,000.

    Are home prices in Everett going up or down in 2026?
    Year-over-year, average Snohomish County home values are down approximately 5.8%. Within Everett specifically, the picture is split by price point — under $750K is holding firm with active demand, $750K-$949K is mixed, and $950K+ is case-by-case.

    What are mortgage rates doing in April 2026?
    The 30-year fixed is holding near 6.17%. Rates have been more stable than at any point since 2022, which has helped the market settle into a more predictable rhythm.

    Is now a good time to buy in Everett?
    It depends on price band. Buyers in the $750K-$949K range have meaningfully more leverage than they did a year ago. Buyers under $750K are still in a competitive market. Buyers above $950K can take their time and negotiate.

    Are rents going up or down in Everett?
    Average rents are down approximately 2% year-over-year in April 2026, driven by new supply from projects including the Sawyer and Carling at Waterfront Place plus several smaller new-construction projects.

    How much inventory is on the market?
    Approximately 1.9 months of supply countywide — still below balanced-market territory (typically 4-6 months), which is one reason prices haven’t softened faster despite the year-over-year decline.

    Which Everett neighborhoods are seeing the most activity?
    Bayside, Delta, View Ridge, and parts of Silver Lake remain active in the under-$750K band where most transaction volume is happening. Downtown-adjacent neighborhoods are getting interest tied to the Waterfront Place buildout and the stadium decision pipeline.

  • Millwright District Phase 2’s Retail Vision: Movie Theater, Mini Golf, and Bowling on Everett’s Waterfront

    Millwright District Phase 2’s Retail Vision: Movie Theater, Mini Golf, and Bowling on Everett’s Waterfront

    What is planned for retail in Millwright District Phase 2? The Port of Everett and Lincoln Property Company are targeting family-entertainment retail for Phase 2 of the Millwright District at Waterfront Place — including a movie theater, miniature golf, an arcade, bowling, plus smaller shops, gyms, and salons. Retail is anticipated to be completed by mid-2029, behind the up-to-120,000 sq. ft. of Class-A office space currently in pre-leasing.

    We’ve spent a lot of time on the office side of the Millwright District story — the up-to-120,000 square feet of Class-A space across three interconnected buildings, the 5,000 sq. ft. minimum suite, the pre-leasing campaign Lincoln Property Company has been running since 2025. It’s a real story and we’ll keep covering it. But the part we get asked about more often, by people who actually live in Everett, is the other part: what’s going to be on the ground floor?

    Now we have at least a directional answer. According to recent Port presentations and Phase 2 planning materials, the family-entertainment retail vision for Millwright is starting to come into focus — and it’s a meaningful departure from the Restaurant Row playbook the Port used at Fisherman’s Harbor. Phase 1 went all-in on dining. Phase 2 is leaning toward things you do, not just things you eat.

    What’s on the wishlist

    The Port has publicly described the Millwright Phase 2 retail mix as family-entertainment-style retail, with specific concepts named in planning conversations including:

    • A movie theater — the kind of anchor Everett has been thin on since the closure of older downtown screens. Whether that’s a multiplex format or a smaller boutique theater isn’t yet specified, but the floorplate at Millwright supports either.
    • Miniature golf — likely indoor or partially-indoor given the Everett rain calendar, leaning into the date-night and family-outing market.
    • Arcade and bowling — both commonly bundled in modern entertainment retail concepts (think Pinstripes or Bowlero in larger markets, or smaller independent operators in mid-size cities like ours).
    • Small shops, gyms, and salons — the day-to-day service retail layer that an apartment cluster of this size needs to function.

    That’s the menu. None of it is signed yet — the Port and Lincoln have not announced specific tenants for Phase 2 retail as of late April 2026 — but the program direction is set, and that direction tells you a lot about how the next five years on the waterfront are going to look.

    Why the entertainment-retail pivot makes sense

    Here’s the math the Port is working with. By the time Phase 2 opens, the immediate Waterfront Place neighborhood will have:

    • The 266 existing apartments at the Sawyer and Carling (currently 95% occupied)
    • The 300+ new units breaking ground in Millwright Phase 2
    • Two existing hotels
    • 1.6+ million annual visitors based on 2024 numbers
    • 14 existing food and beverage venues with five more opening in 2025-2026

    That’s a lot of people who already eat here. What they don’t have within walking distance is somewhere to go after dinner that isn’t another bar. The entertainment-retail pivot answers that gap directly. It also pulls in a market the Port hasn’t aggressively chased yet — families with kids old enough to want their own thing — and it gives apartment residents a reason to stay on the waterfront on a Saturday afternoon instead of driving to Lynnwood or Alderwood for a movie.

    The math also works for retail tenants. Ground-floor entertainment concepts need foot traffic and parking. Waterfront Place provides both: 1.6M annual visitors, free public parking through the lots and garages, and a captive resident population growing toward 600+ units within a five-minute walk. That’s a stronger pre-opening pitch than most ground-floor retail in suburban Snohomish County can offer.

    How the Port is staging the buildout

    The current sequencing on Millwright Phase 2 is roughly:

    • 2025-2026: Office pre-leasing campaign with Lincoln Property Company. Targeting up to 120,000 sq. ft. of Class-A space across up to three buildings.
    • 2026: 300+ apartment units breaking ground.
    • 2027-2028: Office and apartment delivery. Vertical construction across the Millwright site.
    • Mid-2029 target: Retail phase completion — including the family-entertainment tenants the Port is now pursuing.

    The retail trails the office and residential delivery on purpose. You don’t open a movie theater into an empty district. You open it once the residents are moved in, the office workers are filling the cafes at lunch, and the foot-traffic baseline is established. Mid-2029 lines up roughly with the Sawyer/Carling stabilizing fully and the new 300+ units hitting their first turnover cycle.

    Where this fits in Everett’s bigger entertainment-retail picture

    Everett doesn’t have a lot of entertainment retail right now. The closest comparable concepts are scattered: Round1 at Alderwood Mall, the AMC at Alderwood, a couple of bowling centers, the venues that anchor the Mill Creek and Lynnwood ends of the county. Within Everett city limits, the nearest movie theater operating today is the Stanwood Cinemas/Galaxy chain reach, plus the historic Everett Theatre downtown for a different kind of programming.

    What that means is Millwright’s family-entertainment vision doesn’t have to fight an existing concentration in the immediate area. It can fill a real gap. The downtown stadium project, if it moves forward, will pull additional event-night traffic to the same general district. The Eclipse Mill Park signature park project will add green-space programming in the same corridor. Combine those and you start to see the outlines of an actual entertainment district — waterfront restaurants, ballpark, family-entertainment retail, signature park — within a 15-minute walk of each other.

    That’s the bet. It’s a long bet — mid-2029 is three years out — but the supporting pieces are stacking up.

    What could change this

    Three things to watch:

    1. Office pre-leasing momentum. If Lincoln signs anchor office tenants ahead of schedule, the entire Millwright timeline pulls forward and retail gets in faster. If office pre-leasing stalls, the retail phase slides right.

    2. The downtown stadium decision. The April 29 City Council vote on the additional $10.6M design funding will tell us a lot about whether the stadium becomes the second anchor of the entertainment district or gets restructured. Either way, it shapes the foot-traffic math the retail tenants will run.

    3. Tenant economics. Modern entertainment retail concepts — especially anchor formats like movie theaters and full bowling centers — have been navigating real headwinds nationally. A signed deal with a national anchor would meaningfully de-risk the timeline. A series of smaller independent operators is also possible and would shape the district differently.

    The bottom line for Everett

    The Millwright Phase 2 retail vision is one of the more interesting development bets currently on the table for Everett. It’s not a guarantee — none of the named concepts are signed, and the timeline runs into 2029. But the Port is signaling clearly where they want this to go, and that signal matters because it’s directional information for everyone else: prospective office tenants, restaurant operators looking at the last Fisherman’s Harbor parcels, residential developers eyeing parcels north and south of Millwright, and small-business owners thinking about whether the waterfront is where they want their next location.

    Three years from now, if all of this lands, walking Waterfront Place on a Saturday night could mean dinner at Tapped Public House, a movie at the Millwright theater, a round of mini-golf, and a beer at Sound to Summit before heading home to a Sawyer apartment. That’s a different city than the one we have today.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What kind of retail is planned for Millwright District Phase 2?
    Family-entertainment-style retail, with specific concepts including a movie theater, miniature golf, an arcade, bowling, plus smaller shops, gyms, and salons.

    When will Millwright District Phase 2 retail open?
    The Port has indicated mid-2029 as the target for retail phase completion, behind the office and residential delivery scheduled for 2027-2028.

    Have any specific retail tenants been announced?
    Not as of late April 2026. The Port and Lincoln Property Company have described the retail vision and program direction publicly, but no signed tenants have been named for Phase 2 retail.

    How much office space is in Millwright Phase 2?
    Up to 120,000 square feet of Class-A office space across up to three interconnected buildings. Suites range from 5,000 sq. ft. up to the full 120,000 sq. ft. Pre-leasing is being run by Lincoln Property Company.

    How many apartments will Phase 2 add?
    300+ new residential units, which will join the existing 266 units at the Sawyer and Carling — bringing total Waterfront Place housing close to 600 units when Phase 2 stabilizes.

    How does this compare to Phase 1 at Fisherman’s Harbor?
    Phase 1 led with dining — Restaurant Row now hosts Fisherman Jack’s, South Fork Baking Company, Rustic Cork, The Net Shed, Tapped Public House, with Marina Azul and Menchie’s opening soon. Phase 2 is leaning toward entertainment retail rather than additional restaurants, on the theory that the dining base has been established and residents now need somewhere to go after dinner.

    Where is Millwright District located?
    Just north of Fisherman’s Harbor at the Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place. It’s part of the same 65+ acre waterfront redevelopment, walking distance from Boxcar Park and the Central Marina esplanade.

  • The Bowen Bronze: The New Sculpture on Everett’s Central Marina Esplanade Has a Real Story

    The Bowen Bronze: The New Sculpture on Everett’s Central Marina Esplanade Has a Real Story

    What is the new bronze sculpture at the Port of Everett? A bronze figure of a young girl looking out over the marina, installed in late 2025 along the Central Marina esplanade between Pacific Rim Plaza and Boxcar Park. Sultan-based artist Kevin Pettelle created the piece, inspired by a 1940s photograph of Kathy Reinell Bowen — daughter of Reinell Boats founder Edward Reinell — taken by her father between what were then Pier 1 and Pier 2 of the Everett boat harbor.

    If you’ve walked the Central Marina esplanade at the Port of Everett anytime in the last few months, you’ve probably already met her. A small bronze figure in a plaid jacket and saddle shoes, looking past the slips toward what is now a working international Seaport. She doesn’t have a plaque calling her by name, but she has one — and the story behind her is one of the more quietly remarkable pieces of public art the Port has installed.

    We’ve been spending a lot of time on the waterfront chasing what’s coming next — the Sawyer and Carling at 95 percent occupancy, the steakhouse pitch for the last Restaurant Row parcel, Marina Azul almost open, the next phase of Millwright office space pre-leasing. It’s easy in that mode to walk right past the things that are already finished. The Bowen bronze is one of them. And it’s worth a stop.

    Who is the girl in the bronze?

    Her name is Kathy Reinell Bowen. The original photograph was taken in the 1940s by her father, Edward Reinell, founder of Reinell Boats — one of the boat-building names woven into Everett’s mid-century maritime history. In the photo she’s about four or five years old, standing at the edge of the small Everett boat harbor that sat between what was then Pier 1 and Pier 2. The pose is unposed in the way good family photos are: she’s just looking out at the water, the way a kid does when grownups are talking and the boats are more interesting.

    The photograph hung at the Everett Yacht Club for years. According to Historic Everett, a former classmate of Bowen’s spotted it on the wall, recognized her, and that’s how the Port and the artist were eventually able to put a name to the picture. That’s the kind of detail that makes this piece land differently than most public art commissions. It isn’t a generic bronze of a generic kid. It’s a real person, identified by the people who knew her, immortalized at a place her family helped build.

    The artist: Kevin Pettelle, Sultan, WA

    The sculpture was created by Kevin Pettelle, a bronze artist based in Sultan, Washington — about an hour east of Everett up the Skykomish Valley. Pettelle has done figurative bronze work across the Pacific Northwest for decades, and the Bowen piece is among the last bronze sculptures he says he plans to make in his career. That detail alone makes the installation feel less like another city beautification line item and more like a closing chapter from a working artist who chose to spend it on Everett.

    The bronze itself is full of details you only catch on a second look. The buttons on her coat are stamped with the Port’s Waterfront Place logo. The patina on her scarf fans out in a pattern designed to mimic light moving across water. She’s wearing the same plaid jacket and saddle shoes from the photograph, in the same pose. Pettelle didn’t redraw the girl — he reached back into the original frame and pulled her out three-dimensionally.

    Where to find her

    The sculpture sits along the Central Marina esplanade, in the stretch between Pacific Rim Plaza and Boxcar Park. If you’re parking at Waterfront Place and walking south toward Boxcar, you’ll pass her on the water side of the path. The vista was deliberately chosen — she’s looking out across the marina toward the slips, not at the buildings behind her. The whole installation is essentially asking you to share her view for a minute.

    It’s an easy add to any waterfront walk. From the Bluewater Distilling end of Fisherman’s Harbor it’s about a five-minute stroll south along the esplanade. From Boxcar Park itself it’s even closer — head north along the water and you’ll be there in two or three minutes.

    How the piece fits the Port’s bigger public art push

    The Bowen bronze isn’t standing alone out there. The Port has been quietly building a public art collection along Waterfront Place for several years now — most visibly the illuminated orca installation that anchors the southern end of Boxcar Park, plus several smaller historical interpretation pieces and signage installations through Pacific Rim Plaza. The Port’s stated goal is to layer in art that connects the working maritime past to the redeveloped present without feeling like a museum tour.

    That layering matters for a place like Waterfront Place. This is a redevelopment of a working harbor — the Port still moves around 16 million tons of cargo a year, the marina is the largest public marina on the West Coast with 2,300 slips, and 1.6 million people visited the waterfront in 2024 alone. There’s real potential for the new restaurants, hotels, and apartments to flatten that history into background. The Bowen piece is a small but pointed counter to that — a reminder that the Reinell name and the boat-building families and the kids who grew up on these docks are part of why this place is worth redeveloping in the first place.

    Why this matters more than a typical public art install

    Most public art at master-planned developments is decorative. A nice piece, well-lit, photographed for the marketing site, mostly invisible to the people who live there after the first month. The Bowen bronze is doing something different. It’s connecting a specific local family — Reinell Boats, the photograph, the yacht club, the classmate who recognized her — to a specific physical spot on the redeveloped waterfront. That’s harder to walk past.

    It also pairs really well with the Port’s broader case for the waterfront, which is essentially: this place was always something to people. The redevelopment isn’t building a destination from scratch. It’s building a destination on top of a working harbor that already had stories, families, and kids who looked out at boats. The bronze makes that argument quietly and without a press release.

    What we’d like to see next

    One thing that’s still missing: signage. Right now there’s no plaque at the sculpture explaining who Bowen is, who Pettelle is, or what the original photograph was. People stop, look, take a picture, and walk on without the story. Adding a small interpretive sign — even just a QR code linking to the Port’s public art page — would multiply the value of the piece without changing it. The Port has done this well at other Waterfront Place installations and at Boxcar Park; this one deserves the same treatment.

    Beyond that, the Bowen bronze sets a real bar for what additional public art on the waterfront should look like. As Phase 2 of Waterfront Place opens up new public spaces around Eclipse Mill Park and the Millwright District, the Port has a chance to keep going in this direction — local families, real people, specific photographs, named artists. Not generic.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Where is the new Port of Everett bronze sculpture located?
    Along the Central Marina esplanade at Waterfront Place, between Pacific Rim Plaza and Boxcar Park. It’s on the water side of the walking path.

    Who is the girl depicted in the bronze?
    Kathy Reinell Bowen, daughter of Edward Reinell, founder of Reinell Boats. The original photograph was taken by her father in the 1940s when she was approximately 4-5 years old.

    Who created the sculpture?
    Sultan, WA-based bronze artist Kevin Pettelle. The Port of Everett commissioned the piece, and Pettelle has indicated it’s among the last bronze sculptures he plans to make in his career.

    When was the sculpture installed?
    Late 2025, with a public unveiling held in February 2026.

    Are there other public art pieces at the Port of Everett?
    Yes. The Port has been building a public art collection along Waterfront Place for several years, including the illuminated orca installation at Boxcar Park, historical interpretation pieces at Pacific Rim Plaza, and signage installations throughout the development.

    Is there a fee to see it?
    No. The esplanade is a public walkway. Free parking is available throughout Waterfront Place — see the Port’s 2026 visitor parking guide for current rates and locations.

    What was the original photograph?
    A 1940s candid taken by Edward Reinell of his daughter Kathy looking out over the small Everett boat harbor that sat between what were then Pier 1 and Pier 2. The photograph hung at the Everett Yacht Club for decades, where a classmate of Bowen’s eventually recognized her.

  • Eclipse Mill Park Gets a New Timeline: Why Everett’s Riverfront Signature Park Is Now a Spring 2028 Opening

    Eclipse Mill Park Gets a New Timeline: Why Everett’s Riverfront Signature Park Is Now a Spring 2028 Opening

    Featured Snippet

    Q: When will Eclipse Mill Park at Everett’s Riverfront actually open?

    A: The park will now be built in two phases. The City of Everett’s waterside portion — the pier, floating dock, playground, and fish habitat work — starts July 2026 and wraps in November 2026 after the Washington Department of Ecology pushed the original start back for additional site-condition review. The second, larger phase, built by developer Shelter Holdings, runs from fall 2026 through spring 2028, with the full Eclipse Mill Park opening projected for spring 2028.


    Eclipse Mill Park Gets a New Timeline: Why Everett’s Riverfront Signature Park Is Now a Spring 2028 Opening

    We’ve been watching the Riverfront development on the west bank of the Snohomish River for years now, and if you drive past it on the way to the new Costco at I-5 and 41st, you already know the shape of the thing. Apartments are up. Retail pads are framed out. The trail along the river is there if you know where to look for it. But the piece that was supposed to tie the whole development together — Eclipse Mill Park, the 3-acre public park that’s going to be the signature green space for the new neighborhood — has a new timeline, and it’s worth understanding what changed.

    Here’s where things actually stand as of late April 2026, and what it means for the Riverfront buildout.

    The Short Version: A Two-Phase Park With Two Different Builders

    Eclipse Mill Park isn’t being built as a single contract or by a single entity. The 3-acre park is split into two phases, with two different builders on two different timelines. That’s the first thing to understand, because the confusion over “when does the park open” has largely come from people treating it as one project when it’s really two.

    Phase 1 — City of Everett’s portion. This is the waterside end. Playground. Pier. Floating dock. Fish habitat improvements along the riverbank. The City Council approved a $3.6 million construction contract last May to build this phase.

    Phase 2 — Shelter Holdings’ portion. This is the upland section of the park, built by the private developer as part of their Development Agreement with the City. This is the larger portion of the park’s 3 acres.

    Two builders. Two contracts. Two timelines. And two different reasons the opening keeps sliding.

    Why Phase 1 Slid to July 2026

    The original plan had City of Everett crews starting Phase 1 work earlier, with the waterside amenities coming online in 2026. That timeline got redrawn after the Washington Department of Ecology requested additional review of site conditions along the riverbank — a standard request for any project that touches fish habitat on a river as ecologically significant as the Snohomish.

    The revised schedule now has:

    • Construction mobilization: July 2026
    • Waterside amenities complete: November 2026

    So the pier, the floating dock (which Port officials have said could eventually be used to launch personal watercraft), the playground, and the fish habitat restoration work are all targeting a late-2026 completion on the City’s end. That’s a real, visible change Riverfront residents will see this year — crews on site by midsummer, open amenities by late fall.

    Why Phase 2 Runs Fall 2026 to Spring 2028

    Once the City’s portion wraps, Shelter Holdings picks up the baton. Their phase of the park is scheduled from fall 2026 through spring 2028, which puts the full-park opening at spring 2028 — about 18 months later than anyone in the neighborhood was hoping when the Riverfront plan was first approved.

    Why so long? A few honest reasons. The Phase 2 work is the larger share of the 3 acres. It’s being built by the developer, not the City, which means it’s coordinated with the rest of the Shelter Holdings buildout — apartments, retail pads, parking, internal streets — and you can’t pour the signature park in the middle of active mixed-use construction without risking damaging it. So the park goes last, and it goes slow, and the opening date sits at spring 2028.

    What Gets Built: The Actual Park Design

    The published park program is generous for a 3-acre urban waterfront park. Here’s what the full build includes once both phases are done:

    • A waterfront pier extending into the Snohomish River
    • A floating dock sized for personal watercraft launch
    • A playground at the City’s end of the park
    • A signature open lawn and gathering space on the Shelter Holdings side
    • Fish habitat improvements built into the riverbank along the full frontage
    • Trails connecting the park to the broader Riverfront trail network
    • Integration with the apartments and retail to the east so the park reads as the neighborhood’s front porch, not just leftover space

    It’s not the acreage of Grand Avenue Park or Forest Park. But for the kind of neighborhood Riverfront is trying to become — dense, mixed-use, transit-accessible, and built on a former industrial site — a 3-acre programmed park with a working pier is a meaningful amenity.

    The Bigger Picture: Riverfront’s Slow Build Continues

    Eclipse Mill Park’s slip to 2028 is part of a pattern we’ve been tracking for a while. The Riverfront project was originally approved as a 40-acre, 1,250-unit mixed-use development that would include a multiplex cinema, a specialty grocer, a 250-room hotel, office space, and 3 acres of park. The cinema has since been swapped for pickleball courts (reflecting where the indoor entertainment dollar is going in 2026), the grocer has moved around on the site plan, and the timeline for each piece has shifted.

    Two mixed-use apartment buildings are already up. Phase 2 housing — the piece that really fills out the neighborhood — is underway. The hotel is still a future phase. And now the park, which was supposed to open alongside Phase 2 apartments, slides to 2028.

    None of this is unusual for a redevelopment of an old industrial site on a federally regulated river. Every interaction with Ecology, every seasonal fish window, every shared utility trench adds weeks. If you’ve watched any of Seattle’s waterfront projects unfold, you know the shape of it.

    What Residents Will Actually See This Year

    Even with the park pushed to 2028, there’s real work happening on the Riverfront waterline this year that residents can watch in real time:

    • Summer 2026: City crews mobilize for Phase 1 park construction. Expect fencing, equipment staging, and in-water work during the permitted fish window.
    • Fall 2026: Phase 1 waterside amenities near completion. The pier and floating dock take shape.
    • November 2026: City portion hits substantial completion.
    • Fall 2026 — concurrent: Shelter Holdings begins Phase 2 park construction, running through 2027.
    • Through 2026-2027: Remaining Shelter Holdings residential buildings continue vertical construction.

    The Riverfront trail along the Snohomish River stays open throughout, which is the piece most residents actually use day to day. If you walk the trail now, you’ll see the raw edge where the riverbank will be reshaped for fish habitat — watching that transform from fall through next year is going to be one of the more visible pieces of construction on the east side of Everett.

    How the Riverfront Delay Compares to Waterfront Place

    For context, the Waterfront Place development over on the Port of Everett side is running its own slipping timeline. Millwright District Phase 2 is breaking ground this year with 300+ apartments targeting tenant move-ins by late 2026, but the Class-A office buildings aren’t expected to open until as early as 2028. S3 Maritime just opened. Menchie’s and Marina Azul are in the pipeline. The flagship restaurant parcel is still in tenant search.

    Both the Riverfront and the Waterfront are doing the same kind of work on different sites — converting former industrial edges into mixed-use neighborhoods, with parks, restaurants, and apartments. Both are running into the same realities: Ecology review windows, developer coordination, fish seasons, infrastructure sequencing, and the plain fact that you can’t stand up a neighborhood in 18 months.

    The difference between watching these projects with frustration and watching them with curiosity is mostly about whether you understand what the timelines actually mean. An extra year on Eclipse Mill Park isn’t a failure — it’s the cost of doing riverbank restoration right, in a phased build, with a private developer stitching into a public park.

    What Comes Next

    The next milestone to watch is July 2026 mobilization at the park’s waterside. If that holds, the Phase 1 amenities will be open by Thanksgiving. Shelter Holdings’ Phase 2 timeline is tied to the rest of their buildout, so the next market update on Riverfront housing will be the better indicator of whether the park’s 2028 opening slips again.

    We’ll be back at the Riverfront site later this summer with photos once the fencing goes up and the equipment stages in. If you’re a resident of one of the existing Riverfront buildings and you see activity before then, we want to know what you’re seeing from your windows.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When will Eclipse Mill Park open in Everett?

    The full 3-acre park is projected to open in spring 2028. The City of Everett’s phase (playground, pier, floating dock, fish habitat work) is scheduled to be complete by November 2026, but the full park including Shelter Holdings’ Phase 2 won’t open until spring 2028.

    Why was Eclipse Mill Park delayed?

    The Washington Department of Ecology requested additional review of site conditions along the riverbank, which pushed construction mobilization to July 2026. The Phase 2 timeline is tied to developer Shelter Holdings’ broader Riverfront buildout.

    Who is building Eclipse Mill Park?

    Two builders. The City of Everett is building Phase 1 (waterside amenities) under a $3.6 million construction contract approved by the City Council in May. Shelter Holdings, the private developer of the Riverfront project, is building Phase 2 (the larger upland portion) under their Development Agreement with the City.

    What will be in Eclipse Mill Park?

    A pier, floating dock for personal watercraft, playground, open lawn and gathering space, fish habitat improvements along the Snohomish riverbank, and trails connecting to the broader Riverfront trail system.

    Where is the Riverfront development in Everett?

    Riverfront is on the west bank of the Snohomish River, east of I-5, near the Hewitt Avenue Trestle. It’s a 40-acre former industrial site being redeveloped into a mixed-use neighborhood with housing, retail, a hotel, and parks.

    How is Riverfront different from Waterfront Place?

    Riverfront is on the Snohomish River on Everett’s east side, developed by Shelter Holdings. Waterfront Place is on Puget Sound on Everett’s west side, developed by the Port of Everett with various partners. Both are converting former industrial sites into mixed-use neighborhoods — they just face different waterways.

    What else is happening at Riverfront in 2026?

    Phase 2 residential construction continues. The cinema originally planned has been replaced with pickleball courts. Remaining apartment buildings are under vertical construction. The Riverfront trail stays open throughout construction.

  • Everett’s Rental Market Just Flipped: Why Apartment Rents Are Down 2% and What That Means for 2026

    Everett’s Rental Market Just Flipped: Why Apartment Rents Are Down 2% and What That Means for 2026

    Featured Snippet

    Q: Is rent going up or down in Everett in 2026?

    A: Rent in Everett is actually down about 2% year-over-year as of April 2026. The average apartment rent in Everett is $1,849, down from $1,887 a year ago. Studios sit around $1,476, one-bedrooms around $1,676, two-bedrooms around $1,930, and three-bedrooms around $2,340. That makes 2026 a noticeably renter-friendlier market than 2022-2023, driven by new apartment supply from the Waterfront Place, Riverfront, and downtown buildouts finally coming online.


    Everett’s Rental Market Just Flipped: Why Apartment Rents Are Down 2% and What That Means for 2026

    Everybody in Everett has spent the last three years talking about how for-sale home prices have moved — the median is $547K, down 11.6% from last year, with the downtown and Northwest Everett markets moving in completely different directions than the 98208 zip code. We wrote about that last week. But the story on the rental side is quieter, and most people in Everett haven’t noticed it yet: apartment rents here are actually going down.

    Not dramatically. Not uniformly. But down, year-over-year, in a market that’s been running the other direction for most of the past decade. Here’s the full picture as of mid-April 2026.

    The Headline Numbers

    The average rent for an apartment in Everett right now is $1,849 per month, down about 2.04% from $1,887 a year ago. That’s a ~$38/month reduction on the average unit, or roughly $456/year back in renters’ pockets for the same apartment that cost more last April.

    That’s a meaningful shift. For context, Everett rents climbed 15-20% over the three years from 2020 to 2023. Getting to any year-over-year decline at all is a sign of a market that’s rebalancing — and for a lot of working Everett renters, it’s the first real relief in years.

    Different data sources have slightly different numbers (rental data always has spread because it’s collected differently by each source), but the direction is consistent:

    • Apartments.com: Average rent down ~2% year-over-year
    • Apartment List: Rents down 1.6% year-over-year
    • Zumper / Rent.com / Point2: Comparable declines of 0.9-2% year-over-year

    The median advertised rent for Everett is approximately $1,830 per month. Over the past 3-6 months, the rental market has been mostly stable with only moderate advertised rent movement, which is the market doing what a market does when supply catches up to demand.

    The Full Apartment-Size Breakdown

    Here’s what renters are paying by unit size in Everett right now:

    • Studio: $1,476/month (roughly 500 sq ft)
    • One-bedroom: $1,676/month (685 sq ft — $2.45/sq ft)
    • Two-bedroom: $1,930/month (941 sq ft — $2.05/sq ft)
    • Three-bedroom: $2,340/month (1,186 sq ft — $1.97/sq ft)

    Two things jump out. First, the price-per-square-foot actually gets cheaper as units get bigger — which is classic rental economics, because larger units attract longer leases and families looking to stay put. Second, the jump from studio to one-bedroom is only about $200/month, which suggests Everett’s studio supply is relatively tight compared to one-bedrooms. If you can qualify for a one-bedroom, the “extra room” premium is small enough that it’s worth taking.

    What’s Causing Rents to Soften

    Everett isn’t an outlier here. The broader Puget Sound rental market has softened in 2025-2026 after a brutal run-up. But Everett has its own specific reasons, and all of them are connected to the construction we’ve been tracking on this desk for months.

    New supply is finally hitting the market. Waterfront Place’s 266 units at The Sawyer and The Carling are stabilized and leasing at current prices. Riverfront Phase 1 apartments are leased and Phase 2 is delivering. Downtown has added units in new mid-rise buildings. Millwright District Phase 2 is breaking ground this year for 300+ more units. Every apartment that opens pulls some renter out of the existing stock and forces older buildings to compete on price.

    Boeing hiring hasn’t fully absorbed the supply yet. The North Line is ramping, but the jobs are being filled over the course of 2026, not all at once. Until the workforce fully shows up and signs leases, the demand side of the equation hasn’t caught up to the supply wave.

    Home purchase re-entry. Everett’s median sale price is down 11.6% year-over-year to $547K. Every renter who decides that finally makes a down payment pencil out is a renter leaving the rental pool. That’s small in aggregate but real at the margins.

    Broader regional mix. Seattle and Bellevue rent softness bleeds north. When Seattle apartments drop, people who priced themselves out of Seattle and moved north to Everett start seeing Seattle back in reach. That slight outbound migration from Everett’s rental market is real even if the numbers are modest.

    What It Means Block by Block

    Not every Everett neighborhood is seeing the same rent behavior. Based on advertised listings across the city:

    Downtown Everett. Newer mid-rise buildings along Hewitt, Colby, and Rucker are where the most competitive pricing is showing up. These buildings opened into a softening market and are offering concessions (one month free, reduced deposits, waived admin fees) more often than we’ve seen in years. If you’re apartment-hunting in downtown in April-May 2026, ask about concessions — don’t accept the advertised rate as final.

    Waterfront Place area. The Sawyer and Carling at Waterfront Place list 13 units available as of this week, with rents ranging from $2,202 to $2,800. That’s premium pricing consistent with the amenity package (two rooftop decks, speakeasy lounge, fitness, concierge) but it’s also a signal of a complex that’s about 95% leased — so scarcity pricing still applies at the top end of the market even when the broader market is softening.

    Northwest Everett. Older buildings along Grand Avenue, near Forest Park, and in Bayside are the slowest to cut. These are often owner-operated or small-portfolio landlords who don’t reprice as aggressively as institutional operators. Rents here are more sticky — less upside but less downside.

    98208 (Silver Lake / south Everett). This is where the mix skews toward larger two- and three-bedroom units, and where the rent-per-square-foot is actually the cheapest in the city. Families relocating for Boeing, Naval Station Everett, or Providence Regional Medical Center jobs often end up here because the space-for-money math works.

    The Renter’s Playbook for Spring 2026

    If you’re renting in Everett right now or shopping for a new lease this spring, here’s what we’d tell a friend:

    Ask for concessions, always. A softening market is a concession market. One month free on a 13-month lease is a ~7.7% effective rent reduction. That’s often a better deal than a nominally cheaper rent elsewhere.

    Don’t auto-renew without comparing. If you’re approaching a renewal, pull three to five comparable units on Apartments.com or Zumper before your landlord sends the renewal letter. You now have negotiating leverage you didn’t have two years ago.

    Look at buildings that opened in 2024 or 2025. These properties are stabilizing their rent rolls and are the most likely to run promotions. Older buildings (especially small privately-owned ones) are less flexible.

    If you’re shopping waterfront-adjacent, understand the premium. Waterfront Place pricing ($2,202-$2,800) isn’t representative of Everett as a whole. If you want the view and amenities, you pay for them. If you want value, you go downtown or into Northwest Everett.

    Check your credit and documentation now. A balanced market still favors renters with clean paper. Boeing pay stubs, Navy LES statements, and steady employment get leases signed faster than thin credit files, even when the market is soft.

    What Comes Next

    The rental market in Everett is not going to stay soft forever. By late 2026 and into 2027, two things happen at once:

    1. Boeing North Line hiring fully absorbs into the local rental market.

    2. The Millwright District 300+ apartments and other Waterfront Place housing deliveries slow down the supply pipeline.

    When supply slows and demand firms, rents resume climbing. That’s not a prediction — that’s what the math does. Renters who sign 14-month or 18-month leases this spring at today’s softer rates are locking in a floor that may feel like a deal in 2027.

    For landlords, the message is the opposite. The days of 8-10% annual rent increases as a default assumption are gone. The next year or two is about occupancy — filling units, keeping residents, earning the privilege of raising rents again when the market turns.

    Everett is going through the quiet part of its rental cycle right now. It won’t last. But while it’s here, it’s the first renter-friendly window this city has had in a long time, and worth knowing about.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the average rent in Everett WA in 2026?

    The average apartment rent in Everett is approximately $1,849 per month as of April 2026, down about 2% from $1,887 a year ago.

    Is rent going up or down in Everett?

    Rent is currently going down in Everett. Average rents are off roughly 2% year-over-year across most data sources (Apartments.com, Apartment List, Zumper), driven largely by new apartment supply hitting the market and a broader Puget Sound rental softening.

    How much is a one-bedroom apartment in Everett?

    A one-bedroom apartment in Everett rents for approximately $1,676 per month on average, for a typical 685 square foot unit. Rent per square foot is about $2.45 at that size.

    How much is a two-bedroom apartment in Everett?

    A two-bedroom apartment in Everett rents for about $1,930 per month on average, for roughly 941 square feet. That works out to about $2.05 per square foot.

    Is now a good time to rent in Everett?

    Spring 2026 is one of the most renter-friendly windows Everett has had in years. Concessions (free months, reduced deposits) are common in newer downtown buildings, and lease negotiations have more room than they did in 2022 or 2023.

    Why are Everett rents going down?

    Three main reasons: new apartment supply at Waterfront Place, Riverfront, and downtown is hitting the market; Boeing North Line hiring is ramping but not fully absorbed; and the broader Puget Sound rental market is softening, which pulls Everett with it.

    Will rents go back up in Everett?

    Likely yes, by late 2026 or 2027 as Boeing North Line fully staffs up and new apartment supply slows. Locking in a longer lease this spring at today’s rates is a reasonable hedge for tenants who plan to stay.

  • Waterfront Place Is 95% Full: What the Sawyer and Carling’s Occupancy Tells Us About Everett’s Waterfront Housing Demand

    Waterfront Place Is 95% Full: What the Sawyer and Carling’s Occupancy Tells Us About Everett’s Waterfront Housing Demand

    Featured Snippet

    Q: Are there apartments available at Waterfront Place in Everett?

    A: Yes — but not many. As of late April 2026, The Sawyer and The Carling at Waterfront Place have roughly 13 of their 266 total units available for lease, putting the complex at approximately 95% occupied. Available rents run from $2,202 to $2,800 per month, depending on unit size and floor. At just under a 5% vacancy rate against a softening broader Everett rental market, Waterfront Place is leasing above the city average — which tells you something about where the demand is on the Everett waterfront.


    Waterfront Place Is 95% Full: What the Sawyer and Carling’s Occupancy Tells Us About Everett’s Waterfront Housing Demand

    We’ve been tracking the rental market on this desk long enough to know that when the broader city rents are softening and one specific complex is still running at 95% occupied, there’s something worth understanding about what’s different.

    The two apartment buildings at the Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place — The Sawyer to the north and The Carling to the south, 266 total units between them — are currently showing 13 available apartments across both buildings, with rents running $2,202 to $2,800/month. Do the math: that’s a vacancy rate of roughly 4.9%, which for a stabilized four-story mid-rise in a premium location is tight.

    Meanwhile, the rest of Everett’s rental market is softening. Average rents across the city are down about 2% year-over-year. Downtown newer buildings are offering concessions. And yet Waterfront Place is leasing at a premium to the Everett average, keeping occupancy high, and not needing the same promotions to fill units.

    Here’s what’s actually going on.

    The Buildings, By the Numbers

    The Sawyer + The Carling (the combined Waterfront Place apartment complex):

    • Location: 1300 W Marine View Drive, Everett, WA 98201
    • Total units: 266 across two four-story buildings
    • Square footage: approximately 247,000 square feet total
    • Current availability: ~13 units listed
    • Current rent range: $2,202 to $2,800/month
    • Developer / builder: Built by Graham Construction
    • Ownership: Sea Level Properties
    • Opened: Phase 1 delivered as part of Waterfront Place Central’s first residential component

    For context against the Everett average rent of $1,849/month, Waterfront Place runs about 19% to 51% above the market average. That’s a real premium — but it’s buying a product that doesn’t exist anywhere else in Everett.

    What You’re Paying For (Beyond Four Walls)

    The amenity package at Waterfront Place is the reason for the premium. These aren’t standard Snohomish County apartment amenities — these are the kind of amenities you’d see in a Seattle Belltown or Kirkland waterfront building:

    • Two rooftop decks (one per building) with views of Puget Sound, the marina, Hat Island, and the Olympic mountains beyond
    • Speakeasy-style bar and game room for residents
    • Full fitness center and yoga studio
    • Two-level lobby with fireplace
    • Secure bike storage (meaningful on the waterfront)
    • On-site resident concierge
    • Walking distance to every Waterfront Place retail tenant — Tapped, Fisherman Jack’s, The Net Shed, Menchie’s, Marina Azul (opening), and the public marina

    That last point matters more than any single on-site amenity. If you’re a Waterfront Place resident, your front door opens onto the largest public marina on the West Coast, and your daily walk to grab coffee goes past the boats and the harbor seals. You can’t replicate that amenity by building it — you have to live in a unit that’s physically there. That’s what the premium buys.

    Why 95% Occupancy in a Softening Market

    When a neighborhood’s rental market is going the wrong direction (down ~2% year-over-year) and one specific building is still nearly full, there’s usually a combination of reasons. For Waterfront Place:

    Location cannot be copied. You either live on the Port of Everett waterfront or you don’t. New units at Millwright District (300+ breaking ground this year) will eventually compete, but those are 18-24 months away from actually drawing residents. Meanwhile, The Sawyer and The Carling are the only stabilized Class-A waterfront apartments on the Port side of Everett.

    Boeing and Navy professional segment. Waterfront Place’s price point — $2,200 to $2,800 per month — lines up well with a Boeing 737 North Line engineer, a Navy officer stationed at NAVSTA Everett, or a remote-work professional who picked Everett for the cost differential against Seattle. These tenant segments don’t bargain the same way transient renters do. They lock in a lease, they stay.

    Short commute to major employers. It’s a ~3-mile drive to Boeing’s Everett factory and ~1.5 miles to Naval Station Everett. You can live at Waterfront Place, work on the 737 North Line, walk to dinner on the waterfront, and never deal with I-5. That matters to the specific professional tenant base this property attracts.

    The retail is actually happening. For a long time, waterfront apartment buildings in Everett came with a promise of retail that never fully materialized. That’s now changing. Fisherman Jack’s is running with a full menu. The Net Shed is stabilized three months in. Tapped Public House has its rooftop. Menchie’s and Marina Azul are almost open. That retail buildout removes the “Yeah, but there’s nothing to walk to” objection that used to come with waterfront apartment living in Everett.

    Renters who are already in don’t want to leave. Tenure matters in apartment math. A complex that retains 70%+ of its residents at lease renewal runs at 95% occupancy almost automatically. We don’t have public retention numbers for Waterfront Place, but the indirect signal — consistent occupancy in a softening market, limited concession pressure — suggests the retention rate is strong.

    What the 13 Available Units Look Like

    Pulled from current listings, the available inventory at Waterfront Place covers a spread:

    • Smaller units at the lower end: Starting around $2,202 for one-bedroom floor plans in the 650-750 sq ft range
    • Larger one-bedrooms and compact two-bedrooms: $2,400-$2,600 range
    • Two-bedroom floor plans with better views: $2,700-$2,800

    The pattern you’d expect: smallest-and-interior-facing units available first, view units and two-bedrooms last. Anyone hunting for a specific floor plan or view orientation should call the property directly at (425) 622-9130 because the online listings don’t always reflect the full current inventory.

    What This Means for the Rest of Waterfront Place Development

    A 95% occupied Phase 1 apartment complex is the data point that makes the Millwright District Phase 2 apartment deal make sense on paper. The Port of Everett and its development partners are about to break ground on 300+ more apartment units in the Millwright District this year, targeting tenant move-ins by late 2026. That’s a lot of new units for a soft market.

    But if Waterfront Place is running at 95% occupancy at rents that are 19-51% above the Everett average, the market is signaling that waterfront-location demand is a different demand curve than the general Everett rental market. The Millwright apartments won’t have to compete on price with Hewitt Avenue mid-rises. They’ll compete with the Sawyer and the Carling. And at 95% occupancy, the Sawyer and the Carling aren’t a comp that’s begging for competition.

    Put simply: the demand is there. The 300+ new units won’t flood a soft market — they’ll fill the bucket that Waterfront Place is already filling, for the kind of tenant who values being physically on the waterfront and is willing to pay for it.

    What Comes Next for Waterfront Place Housing

    Beyond the Millwright District 300+ apartments breaking ground this year, the Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place master plan calls for up to 660 waterfront homes total across the full buildout — a mix of apartments, condominiums, and townhomes/lofts. The 266 units at The Sawyer and The Carling are Phase 1. Millwright is Phase 2. Future phases will include additional rental and for-sale inventory as more Waterfront Place parcels develop.

    For current or prospective Waterfront Place renters, this is the honest read: pricing holds at today’s levels as long as occupancy stays above ~92-93%. If the Millwright District units come online and temporarily push occupancy below that, Waterfront Place will see modest concession pressure — probably for a six-to-twelve-month window in late 2026 or early 2027. Then the market re-stabilizes and pricing firms again.

    For renters who want to be on the Everett waterfront and don’t need to move in immediately, the best pricing window is going to be right when Millwright District opens — because both complexes will be competing for the same tenant segment for a short time.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How many apartments are at Waterfront Place in Everett?

    There are 266 total apartment units across two four-story buildings — The Sawyer (north) and The Carling (south) — at the Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place development at 1300 W Marine View Drive.

    How much does it cost to rent at Waterfront Place Everett?

    Current rents range from $2,202 to $2,800 per month depending on floor plan, square footage, and view. That’s roughly 19% to 51% above the Everett average apartment rent of $1,849.

    Are there units available at Waterfront Place?

    As of late April 2026, approximately 13 of 266 units are available, putting the complex at about 95% occupied. Contact the property directly at (425) 622-9130 for current specific unit availability.

    Who built the Waterfront Place apartments?

    Graham Construction built the two buildings. Sea Level Properties owns and operates the complex. The project is part of the Port of Everett’s broader Waterfront Place mixed-use master plan.

    What amenities are at Waterfront Place?

    Two rooftop decks, a speakeasy-style bar and game room, fitness center and yoga studio, two-level lobby with fireplace, secure bike storage, on-site resident concierge, and walking access to all Waterfront Place retail and restaurants.

    How close is Waterfront Place to Boeing and Naval Station Everett?

    Approximately 3 miles to Boeing’s Everett factory and about 1.5 miles to Naval Station Everett. Both are accessible without using I-5, making the daily commute simple for waterfront residents working at those employers.

    Will the new Millwright District apartments compete with Waterfront Place?

    Yes — 300+ new apartments breaking ground this year in the Millwright District at Waterfront Place will compete for the same tenant segment. Expect a modest concession window in late 2026 and early 2027 as those units lease up, followed by market stabilization.

  • Boating Into Waterfront Place: A 2026 Guide for Visiting Boaters at the Largest Public Marina on the West Coast

    Boating Into Waterfront Place: A 2026 Guide for Visiting Boaters at the Largest Public Marina on the West Coast

    Q: I’m bringing my boat to Everett. How does the Port of Everett Marina and Waterfront Place work for visiting boaters?

    A: The Port of Everett Marina is the largest public marina on the West Coast — 2,300 slips and 5,000 linear feet of guest moorage. Visiting boaters can use guest moorage on a daily or seasonal basis, with rates and reservations through the Port’s marina office. The marina has fuel, pump-out, restrooms, showers, and direct walking access to all Waterfront Place restaurants — including Tapped Public House’s rooftop, Marina Azul Cocina & Cantina (opening early spring 2026) for boat-to-deck dining, The Net Shed Fresh Fish Market for grab-and-go seafood, and Menchie’s at the Marina. Approach the marina through the north or south breakwater entrances; check in at the marina office for slip assignment. Plan a slow approach — the harbor is busy with commercial, fishing, and pleasure craft.

    Boating Into Waterfront Place: A 2026 Guide for Visiting Boaters at the Largest Public Marina on the West Coast

    The Port of Everett Marina is, by slip count, the largest public marina on the West Coast. 2,300 slips. 5,000 linear feet of guest moorage. Two basins, north and south, separated by a working commercial harbor and a Coast Guard cutter pier. The redevelopment that turned the surrounding land into Waterfront Place transformed what was already a functional boating destination into one with a real reason to dock and stay.

    This is the 2026 guide for visiting boaters — what to expect on approach, where to moor for which restaurant, fuel and service logistics, and how to make the most of a Waterfront Place visit from the water.

    The Marina, By the Numbers

    • 2,300 slips total across North and South Marina basins
    • 5,000 linear feet of guest moorage for visiting boats
    • Fuel dock with gas and diesel
    • Pump-out service available
    • Restrooms and showers at multiple dock locations
    • Direct walking access to all Waterfront Place tenants
    • Channel depth sufficient for most pleasure craft; verify draft for larger vessels

    Slip waitlists vary by size class — small slips often have shorter waits than 50+ foot slots. Guest moorage is generally available, especially weekday and shoulder-season; weekend summer moorage in peak season can fill, particularly during major regional events.

    Approach and Entry

    The marina is in Port Gardner Bay, just south of Jetty Island. Approach is from the south through the channel between Jetty Island and the Everett shoreline. The North Marina entrance is at the north end of the breakwater; the South Marina entrance is south of the commercial pier complex.

    Things to know on approach:

    • Working commercial harbor — expect to share the channel with cargo ships, fishing vessels, Coast Guard cutters, and Mukilteo–Everett water taxi traffic. Slow speeds and constant lookout.
    • Currents in Port Gardner can be substantial, particularly with tidal exchange. Check NOAA tides and currents before entry.
    • VHF Channel 16 monitored by the marina office; switch to working channel as directed for slip assignment.
    • Jetty Island sandbar shifts seasonally — stay in the marked channel.

    Checking In and Slip Assignment

    Visiting boaters should check in at the Port of Everett Marina Office on arrival. The office assigns guest moorage based on vessel size, intended length of stay, and current availability. Fees are paid at check-in. The Port’s website publishes current guest moorage rates.

    For longer stays or known arrival dates, calling or emailing ahead through the Port’s website to reserve guest moorage is recommended, particularly during peak summer weekends.

    Where to Moor for Which Restaurant

    Walking distances at the Port of Everett Marina are real — the property is large. If your priority is dinner at a specific restaurant, ask the marina office for a slip assignment closer to the relevant dock:

    For Marina Azul Cocina & Cantina (opening early spring 2026): Marina Azul has ground-floor space directly on the water with a deck designed for boat-to-deck dining. Slips closest to the Restaurant Row property are the highest-leverage assignment. The boat-up taco-and-paloma experience is the marketing pitch and is genuinely possible.

    For Tapped Public House rooftop deck: The Restaurant Row building is centrally located between the basins. Most guest moorage assignments will put you within a 5–10 minute walk to the rooftop entrance.

    For The Net Shed Fresh Fish Market & Kitchen: Ground floor of the Restaurant Row building. The market side is convenient for grab-and-go seafood you can take back to the boat for galley cooking.

    For Hotel Indigo / Bluewater Distilling: The hotel sits on the property with restaurant access at the ground floor. Convenient for boaters tying up overnight and using hotel amenities.

    For Pacific Coast Salmon Coalition gift shop: First-phase retail anchor; convenient stop for marine supplies and salmon-themed retail.

    Fuel and Pump-Out

    The Port of Everett Marina fuel dock has gas and diesel, with hours posted seasonally on the Port’s website. Pump-out service is available — coordinate timing with the marina office, especially during peak weekends.

    For boats needing maintenance during a stay, S3 Maritime is now operating at the marina with marine maintenance and repair services. The Port also has long-standing relationships with several boatyards in Snohomish County for haulouts and major work.

    Boating Through the Year at Waterfront Place

    April through June: Spring weekend traffic ramping. Tapped’s rooftop deck becomes the destination as soon as weather supports outdoor seating. Marina Azul opens this spring. Salmon and bottomfish opportunities in nearby waters.

    July through September: Peak season. Jetty Island free passenger ferry runs, drawing daytime visitor traffic. Mukilteo–Everett water taxi seasonal service. Best weather for guest moorage and outdoor dining.

    October through March: Slower season. Easier guest moorage availability. Indoor restaurant experiences shine. Storm-watching weather is real and can affect harbor entry; check forecasts.

    What’s Within Boat Range From the Marina

    For multi-day cruising itineraries, Waterfront Place fits naturally into Snohomish-area boating circuits:

    • Jetty Island — under a mile, walkable beach experience
    • Mukilteo — short hop, ferry terminal area, restaurants
    • Hat Island, Camano Island, Whidbey Island — day-cruising destinations within easy reach
    • Langley on Whidbey — popular weekend destination
    • Bellingham, San Juan Islands — extended cruise destinations to the north
    • Seattle Marinas — south to Shilshole, Elliott Bay, Bell Harbor

    Waterfront Place is increasingly the central refueling, restocking, and dining stop for North Sound and inside-passage cruising itineraries.

    What’s Different in 2026 Versus Past Years

    If you boated into the Port of Everett Marina before 2024, the dock-side experience is the same; the on-shore experience is dramatically different. Restaurant Row simply did not exist as a destination before December 2025. The marina was a transient stop or a slip you owned. Now the marina is a destination in its own right — the boat-to-deck dining experience at Marina Azul, the Tapped rooftop, and the casual walk-and-eat options have made overnight moorage at Everett a stronger choice for cruisers than it was even 12 months ago.

    Practical Notes

    • Cell coverage — solid throughout the marina property. WiFi available at most restaurants.
    • Provisioning — limited grocery directly at the marina; the Net Shed Fresh Fish Market handles seafood. Larger grocery runs require a 5–10 minute drive into Everett. Walking distance to downtown Everett core is roughly 15 minutes.
    • Trash and recycling — receptacles at multiple dock points throughout the marina.
    • Security — gated dock access for slip holders; guest moorage is in monitored areas.
    • Water and power at slips — standard marina utilities at most slips; verify amperage with marina office on check-in.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How big is the Port of Everett Marina?

    2,300 slips and 5,000 linear feet of guest moorage — the largest public marina on the West Coast.

    Can visiting boaters get guest moorage at the Port of Everett?

    Yes. Daily and seasonal guest moorage is available, with rates published on the Port’s website. Reservations are recommended for weekend summer arrivals.

    Is there a fuel dock at the Port of Everett Marina?

    Yes. The fuel dock has gas and diesel, with hours posted seasonally.

    Can I dock my boat and walk to Waterfront Place restaurants?

    Yes. All Waterfront Place tenants — Tapped Public House, Rustic Cork, The Net Shed, Menchie’s at the Marina, Marina Azul (opening early spring 2026), and the Bluewater Distilling restaurant at Hotel Indigo — are within walking distance of the marina docks.

    Which restaurant has direct boat-to-deck dining?

    Marina Azul Cocina & Cantina, opening early spring 2026, has ground-floor patio space directly on the water designed for boat-up dining.

    Is pump-out service available?

    Yes. Coordinate timing with the marina office.

    What VHF channel is the marina office on?

    VHF Channel 16 is monitored; the marina office will direct you to a working channel for slip assignment. Verify current procedure with the Port of Everett.

    What should I know about currents in Port Gardner Bay?

    Tidal exchange in Port Gardner can produce substantial currents. Check NOAA tides and currents before entry, particularly for low-power vessels.

    Are there overnight stay options on shore at Waterfront Place?

    Yes. Hotel Indigo Everett Waterfront is the only on-property hotel, with marina views and the Bluewater Distilling restaurant. Convenient for boaters wanting a night off the boat.

  • Visiting Everett’s Waterfront in Spring 2026: A One-Day Guide for the Restaurants, Marina, and Jetty Island

    Visiting Everett’s Waterfront in Spring 2026: A One-Day Guide for the Restaurants, Marina, and Jetty Island

    Q: How should I plan a day trip to Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place in spring 2026?

    A: Plan for a half-day minimum. The Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place opened multiple restaurants between December 2025 and March 2026 and now anchors a credible day-trip experience for visitors from Seattle, Bellingham, and across the I-5 corridor. The high-leverage day-trip plan: arrive by late morning, lunch at The Net Shed Fresh Fish Market & Kitchen or Marina Azul (when open), walk the marina and visit Pacific Coast Salmon Coalition, head to Jetty Island via the seasonal passenger ferry (May–early September), come back for happy hour on Tapped Public House’s rooftop deck, and finish with frozen yogurt at Menchie’s at the Marina. Park free in the lots adjacent to Restaurant Row. Total cost for two: roughly $80–$120 depending on drinks. From Seattle, plan 45 minutes by car or 50 minutes via Sounder North.

    Visiting Everett’s Waterfront in Spring 2026: A One-Day Guide for the Restaurants, Marina, and Jetty Island

    The Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place spent the back half of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026 quietly becoming a credible waterfront day-trip destination. The marina was always there — 2,300 slips, the largest public marina on the West Coast. What’s new is what’s around it. Tapped Public House opened March 2 with the largest open-air waterfront rooftop deck in Snohomish County. Rustic Cork and The Net Shed opened in December 2025. Menchie’s at the Marina cut its ribbon March 13, 2026. Marina Azul Cocina & Cantina is opening this spring. There is now enough at Waterfront Place to spend a full day.

    This guide walks through how to plan that day, in the order most visitors should do it.

    Getting There From Seattle, Bellingham, and Beyond

    From Seattle: 30 miles north on I-5 to exit 194 (Pacific Avenue), then west on Pacific Avenue until the road dead-ends at the marina. 45 minutes off-peak, 60–75 minutes during rush. Or take Sounder North from King Street Station to Everett Station (about 50 minutes), then Community Transit Route 7 or a 15-minute walk to the waterfront.

    From Bellingham: 80 miles south on I-5 to exit 194. About 90 minutes off-peak.

    From Eastside (Bellevue/Kirkland): WA-520 to I-5 north, then exit 194. About 50 minutes off-peak.

    By boat: Guest moorage is available at the Port of Everett Marina. Day-use moorage rates are published on the Port’s website. Approach: enter through the breakwater at the north or south end of the marina; check in at the marina office for assigned moorage.

    Parking

    Free parking is available at multiple surface lots adjacent to Restaurant Row and the marina. Lots are well-marked and within a 2-minute walk of any tenant on the property. Saturday afternoons in summer can fill up; aim to arrive before noon if you want a lot directly behind the Restaurant Row building.

    The High-Leverage Three-Hour Plan

    11:30 AM — Arrive and lunch. Start with The Net Shed Fresh Fish Market & Kitchen for a fast, fresh seafood lunch on the ground floor of the Restaurant Row building. The fish-and-chips and the chowder are the easy first-time orders. Or, when it opens this spring, Marina Azul Cocina & Cantina for tacos and a paloma on the deck directly on the water.

    12:30 PM — Walk the marina. Head south along the marina docks. The walk runs the length of the North Marina basin and into the South Marina, with views of every type of vessel from working fishing boats to high-end pleasure craft. Stop at the Pacific Coast Salmon Coalition gift shop for the salmon-conservation-themed retail and visitor information. The walk takes roughly 30–45 minutes round trip if you don’t stop, longer if you do.

    1:15 PM — Jetty Island ferry (May–early September only). The Port runs a free seasonal passenger ferry from the marina to Jetty Island, the Port’s day-use island sandbar in Possession Sound. Roundtrip rides are 5 minutes each way; the island has a lifeguard-staffed beach in summer, walking trails, and some of the best low-tide tide-pooling in the region. Plan 60–90 minutes on the island if you go.

    3:00 PM — Tapped Public House rooftop happy hour. Head to the rooftop deck of Tapped Public House on the second floor of the Restaurant Row building. Order a drink, take in the view across the marina and Possession Sound, and stay through golden hour if the weather cooperates. This is the showstopper experience at Waterfront Place.

    5:00 PM — Frozen yogurt and walk back. Finish at Menchie’s at the Marina, also on the second floor of the Restaurant Row building. The self-serve frozen yogurt with the rotating flavor wall and toppings bar is a strong way to wrap a sunny waterfront day with kids in tow. Then walk back to the parking lot.

    Variations: Swap Tapped for Rustic Cork Wine Bar if you’d prefer a wine-and-small-plates happy hour. Swap The Net Shed for Bluewater Distilling at Hotel Indigo if you want a sit-down lunch with cocktails.

    What to Know About Each Restaurant

    Tapped Public House. Gastropub menu, full bar, the largest open-air waterfront rooftop deck in Snohomish County. Showstopper view. Best for happy hour or sunset. Reservations recommended on weekends.

    Rustic Cork Wine Bar. Wine-forward program, curated by-the-glass list, small plates and Pacific Northwest food. Best for a quiet wine pairing or a date-night.

    The Net Shed Fresh Fish Market & Kitchen. Fresh fish counter and quick-service kitchen. Casual, walk-up. Best for fast lunch with the family or grabbing fish to take home.

    Menchie’s at the Marina. Self-serve frozen yogurt, pay by weight, rotating flavor wall and toppings bar. Best for after-walk dessert with kids. The first waterfront-facing Menchie’s in the Puget Sound region.

    Marina Azul Cocina & Cantina (opening early spring 2026). Refined Mexican menu, extensive sipping tequila and craft cocktail program. Direct waterfront patio with boat-to-table dining. Best for dinner. From the team behind Casa Azul in Woodinville and Agave Cocina in Issaquah.

    Bluewater Distilling at Hotel Indigo. Hotel restaurant with cocktail-forward bar program. Convenient if staying at Hotel Indigo or arriving by Sounder.

    Beyond Restaurant Row: Other Things at Waterfront Place

    • Hotel Indigo Everett Waterfront — only hotel on the property, with marina views and the Bluewater Distilling restaurant.
    • The Mukilteo–Everett water taxi — seasonal passenger ferry between Everett’s and Mukilteo’s waterfronts. Schedule and rates published seasonally on the Port’s website.
    • Marine services and S3 Maritime — for boaters needing maintenance or supplies.
    • Pacific Coast Salmon Coalition gift shop — salmon-conservation retail and visitor info.

    What’s Worth a Separate Trip

    If your day-trip plan is going well and you have time before driving home, these are within 5 minutes by car:

    • Hewitt Avenue restaurants and bars — Everett’s downtown core has rebuilt its restaurant scene over the last 24 months. Quick walk if you parked downtown.
    • Funko HQ — collectors detour for the Funko store.
    • Schack Art Center — downtown gallery and visiting exhibitions.
    • Howarth Park beach — Everett’s quieter beach park, 5 minutes south of downtown, with a pedestrian bridge over the BNSF tracks to a long Puget Sound beach.

    Best Day-Trip Days for Waterfront Place

    Best weather window: May through early October. Puget Sound waterfront is at its best in dry, longer-light months.

    Best day of week: Saturday for full energy, Sunday for slower pace, Friday afternoon for happy hour without the crowd.

    What to skip: January through March weekday lunches — quieter than the experience deserves. Wait for spring weekends.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How long should I plan to spend at the Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place?

    Half-day minimum to do justice to lunch, the marina walk, and one happy-hour or rooftop experience. Full day if including Jetty Island in season (May–early September).

    Is parking free at Waterfront Place?

    Yes. Free public parking is available in multiple surface lots adjacent to Restaurant Row and the marina.

    Can I take public transit to Waterfront Place from Seattle?

    Yes. Sounder North service from King Street Station to Everett Station (about 50 minutes), then Community Transit bus or a 15-minute walk to the waterfront. Sounder North runs limited weekday-only service; verify current schedule.

    When does the Jetty Island ferry run?

    Seasonally, typically May through early September. The ferry is free and runs from the Port of Everett Marina to Jetty Island, with crossings of about 5 minutes each way.

    Are the restaurants at Waterfront Place family-friendly?

    Most are. The Net Shed, Menchie’s at the Marina, Tapped’s main floor, and Marina Azul are all family-appropriate. Rustic Cork is more adult-oriented (wine bar focus). Tapped’s rooftop deck is 21+ in the bar area but family-friendly elsewhere; verify policy on visit.

    Can I bring my dog?

    Outdoor patios at several restaurants are dog-friendly with confirmation; verify with the specific tenant. The marina walking paths welcome leashed dogs. Jetty Island has restrictions during peak season.

    Where should I stay overnight if I want to extend my Waterfront Place visit?

    Hotel Indigo Everett Waterfront is the only hotel on the property and is the closest stay to the marina and Restaurant Row. Other Everett-area hotels are 5–15 minutes away by car.

    Is Waterfront Place still under construction?

    Active redevelopment continues — Marina Azul is opening this spring, the Port is recruiting a breakfast-and-brunch operator for one remaining Restaurant Row spot, and a flagship restaurant is being recruited for the last undeveloped parcel. The areas currently open are fully visit-ready.

  • Waterfront Place at the Port of Everett: The Complete 2026 Guide to Restaurants, Marina, and What’s Coming Next

    Waterfront Place at the Port of Everett: The Complete 2026 Guide to Restaurants, Marina, and What’s Coming Next

    Q: What is at the Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place in 2026?

    A: Waterfront Place is the Port of Everett’s 1.5 million-square-foot, 65-acre mixed-use redevelopment on Everett’s working waterfront. As of mid-April 2026, six restaurant and retail tenants are open: Tapped Public House (March 2026, with the largest open-air waterfront rooftop deck in Snohomish County), Rustic Cork Wine Bar (December 2025), The Net Shed Fresh Fish Market & Kitchen (December 2025), Menchie’s at the Marina (March 13, 2026 ribbon cutting), the Bluewater Distilling restaurant inside Hotel Indigo, and the Pacific Coast Salmon Coalition gift shop. Marina Azul Cocina & Cantina from the Casa Azul / Agave Cocina team is opening early spring 2026. The Port is recruiting a breakfast-and-brunch operator after the previously announced Alexa’s Cafe lease did not close. The marina is the largest public marina on the West Coast with 2,300 slips and 5,000 linear feet of guest moorage.

    Waterfront Place at the Port of Everett: The Complete 2026 Guide to Restaurants, Marina, and What’s Coming Next

    The Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place is the largest waterfront redevelopment Snohomish County has ever attempted. 1.5 million square feet of mixed-use development on 65 acres adjacent to downtown Everett, anchored by what is now the largest public marina on the West Coast — 2,300 slips and 5,000 linear feet of guest moorage. The redevelopment has been underway for more than a decade. The 2024–2026 phase has been the visible one: the Restaurant Row building lighting up, hotel guests arriving, marina foot traffic climbing, and downtown Everett valuations responding.

    This is the complete 2026 guide. What’s open today, what’s coming this spring, what’s still being recruited, and why all of this matters for the city beyond just where to get dinner.

    What’s Open at Waterfront Place Right Now

    Tapped Public House. Opened March 2, 2026 on the second floor of the Restaurant Row building. Gastropub menu, full bar, and the largest open-air waterfront rooftop deck in Snohomish County, with panoramic views across the North Marina and Possession Sound. Already pulling consistent weekend crowds.

    Rustic Cork Wine Bar. Opened December 2025. Second-floor space in the Restaurant Row building. Wine-forward program with curated by-the-glass and bottle list, small plates, and Pacific Northwest-leaning food.

    The Net Shed Fresh Fish Market & Kitchen. Opened December 2025. Ground-floor fresh fish retail counter with quick-service seafood prepared kitchen. The market side sources from Pacific Northwest fisheries; the kitchen turns it into chowder, fish-and-chips, sandwiches, and rotating seasonal preparations.

    Menchie’s at the Marina. Ribbon cutting March 13, 2026. Self-serve frozen yogurt with a rotating flavor wall and toppings bar, on the second floor of the Restaurant Row building. The first waterfront-facing Menchie’s location in the Puget Sound region.

    Bluewater Distilling at Hotel Indigo Everett Waterfront. Hotel Indigo’s ground-floor restaurant operated by Bluewater Distilling. Cocktail-forward bar program with food menu and waterfront views.

    Pacific Coast Salmon Coalition gift shop. The Port’s retail anchor from the first phase of Waterfront Place development. Salmon-conservation-focused retail and visitor information.

    S3 Maritime. Marine maintenance and repair services. Not a restaurant, but a recent addition to the marina-services side of Waterfront Place.

    What’s Coming Next at Waterfront Place

    Marina Azul Cocina & Cantina. Opening early spring 2026. The third concept from the team behind Casa Azul Cocina & Cantina in Woodinville and Agave Cocina & Cantina in Issaquah. Refined Mexican menu, extensive sipping tequila and craft cocktail program, and ground-floor space directly on the water — the kind of setup where you can dock a boat, walk up to the deck, and be eating tacos within 10 minutes. This is the highest-profile coming-soon tenant on the Restaurant Row property.

    An unnamed breakfast-and-brunch café. The originally announced Alexa’s Cafe lease did not close. The Port is now actively recruiting a new breakfast-and-brunch operator for the last remaining spot in the Restaurant Row building. If you operate a café in the North Sound market or know someone evaluating expansion, the Port’s real estate team is the contact point.

    A flagship restaurant for the last undeveloped waterfront parcel. The Port opened an official search in early 2026 for a flagship restaurant concept to anchor the remaining undeveloped land at Waterfront Place. This is the largest still-available footprint on the property.

    The Marina, By the Numbers

    The Port of Everett Marina inside Waterfront Place is the largest public marina on the West Coast, with 2,300 boat slips and 5,000 linear feet of guest moorage. Slip waitlists vary by size class and category. Guest moorage is available daily and seasonally for visiting boaters, with rates published on the Port’s website.

    The marina includes the North Marina and South Marina basins, a fueling dock, pump-out service, restroom and shower facilities, and direct walking access to all Waterfront Place tenants. Jetty Island, the Port’s seasonal day-use island accessible by passenger ferry from the marina during summer months, draws roughly 60,000 visitors during peak season.

    The Mukilteo–Everett seasonal water taxi operates from the marina during summer months, providing a direct passenger connection to Mukilteo’s waterfront. Schedule and rates are published seasonally.

    Hotel Indigo Everett Waterfront

    Hotel Indigo Everett Waterfront is the only hotel on the Waterfront Place property. The full-service property includes guest rooms with marina and Possession Sound views, the Bluewater Distilling restaurant on the ground floor, meeting and event space, and direct walking access to all of Waterfront Place. The hotel has been a key driver of weekend visitation since opening, particularly for Seattle-area guests doing day trips and weekend stays in Snohomish County.

    The Port of Everett’s $70M 2026 Budget Context

    The Port of Everett’s 2026 budget is approximately $70 million, with $8.1 million earmarked for seaport modernization, $2.6 million for Waterfront Place retail and public infrastructure, and $7.1 million for ongoing maintenance. Waterfront Place is the highest-visibility line in the public-facing portion of that budget. The retail lease-up funds the public infrastructure; the public infrastructure makes the retail viable.

    Why Waterfront Place Matters For Everett Beyond Dinner

    It is easy to read Waterfront Place coverage as lifestyle news rather than economic development. The reality is that Restaurant Row and the marina are doing three structural things for downtown Everett right now:

    Generating foot traffic that didn’t exist 24 months ago. The Port has reported significant year-over-year increases in marina visitation since the first Restaurant Row tenants opened. That foot traffic spills into Hotel Indigo bookings, Jetty Island ferry traffic, and the Mukilteo–Everett water taxi.

    Underwriting the Millwright District commercial real estate thesis. Millwright District Phase 2 — housing plus 120,000 square feet of office space — is being pre-leased right now. Every tenant signing in Millwright is doing so against the foot traffic and destination-draw of Waterfront Place. Restaurant Row is, in a direct way, making the Millwright deals close.

    Generating sales tax and lodging tax revenue that funds the rest of downtown. Hewitt Avenue’s restaurant rebuild, the Edgewater Bridge opening April 28, 2026, and the ongoing conversation about the Sound Transit Everett Link extension all have better financing math when the waterfront generates more taxable activity.

    The downtown Everett housing submarket is up 11.4% year over year while the citywide market is down 11.6%. That is not coincidental. Waterfront Place is doing exactly what the Port and the city said it would do.

    How to Visit Waterfront Place

    Waterfront Place is at the foot of Pacific Avenue in Everett, immediately west of West Marine View Drive. From I-5, take exit 194 (Pacific Avenue) and head west; the road dead-ends at the marina. Free public parking is available at multiple lots adjacent to Restaurant Row and the marina. Most tenants are reachable on foot from any parking lot within Waterfront Place.

    Sound Transit Sounder North Line provides commuter rail service to Everett Station downtown, with Community Transit bus connections to the waterfront. For a car-free Seattle day trip, this combination works well.

    Related Exploring Everett coverage:

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What restaurants are open at Waterfront Place in Everett right now?

    As of mid-April 2026: Tapped Public House (rooftop gastropub, opened March 2026), Rustic Cork Wine Bar (December 2025), The Net Shed Fresh Fish Market & Kitchen (December 2025), Menchie’s at the Marina (March 13, 2026), and Bluewater Distilling inside Hotel Indigo. Marina Azul Cocina & Cantina is opening early spring 2026.

    Where is the Port of Everett’s Waterfront Place located?

    At the foot of Pacific Avenue in Everett, Washington, on 65 acres along the Port of Everett Marina. From I-5, take exit 194 and head west on Pacific Avenue.

    How big is the Port of Everett Marina?

    2,300 slips plus 5,000 linear feet of guest moorage — the largest public marina on the West Coast.

    Is there a hotel at Waterfront Place?

    Yes. Hotel Indigo Everett Waterfront is the only hotel on the property, with marina-view rooms, the Bluewater Distilling restaurant, and meeting/event space.

    What restaurant is replacing Alexa’s Cafe at Waterfront Place?

    Alexa’s Cafe did not close on its lease at Waterfront Place. The Port is actively recruiting a new breakfast-and-brunch café operator for the remaining Restaurant Row spot. No tenant has been announced as of April 2026.

    Is Marina Azul Cocina & Cantina open yet?

    Not as of mid-April 2026. The Port and the operators have stated an early spring 2026 opening. The team behind Marina Azul also operates Casa Azul Cocina & Cantina in Woodinville and Agave Cocina & Cantina in Issaquah.

    Can I dock my boat at Waterfront Place to dine?

    Yes. Guest moorage is available at the Port of Everett Marina for visiting boaters. Marina Azul, Tapped, and other tenants are within walking distance of the docks.

    What is happening with the AquaSox stadium at Waterfront Place?

    The proposed downtown AquaSox stadium is at the Funko Field-area site, not at Waterfront Place. The Everett City Council is being asked for $10.6 million in design funding on April 29, 2026. Waterfront Place is a separate Port of Everett project.

    How does Waterfront Place affect downtown Everett?

    The downtown Everett housing submarket is up 11.4% year over year while the citywide Everett market is down 11.6%. Restaurant Row foot traffic, the Hotel Indigo, and marina visitation are all underwriting downtown’s countercyclical valuations and supporting the Millwright District Phase 2 pre-leasing.

  • PCS to NAVSTA Everett: A 2026 Housing Guide for Navy Families Choosing a Neighborhood

    PCS to NAVSTA Everett: A 2026 Housing Guide for Navy Families Choosing a Neighborhood

    Q: We just got NAVSTA Everett orders. Where should we live?

    A: Three honest paths exist for a Navy family PCSing to Naval Station Everett. Path one: on-base or Navy-managed housing through the privatized housing partner — fastest, simplest, no surprises. Path two: rent off-base in Everett or Mukilteo using your Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), often a better fit for families with school-age children who want a specific district. Path three: buy off-base, which makes sense for sailors with at least 18 months on shore-duty orders or who plan to PCS-back to NAVSTA in a future tour. The two Everett submarkets that historically fit Navy families best are downtown Everett (median $384K, walkable, downtown trend appreciating) and south Everett 98208 (median $740K, single-family, currently softening so buyer leverage is high). NW Everett is character-rich but at $705K with limited inventory it is more of an “I’m staying” decision than a typical PCS move.

    PCS to NAVSTA Everett: A 2026 Housing Guide for Navy Families Choosing a Neighborhood

    If you just got orders to Naval Station Everett — Naval Base Kitsap’s only North Sound homeport, home of multiple destroyers and the Surface Warfare community for the Pacific Northwest — your first big decision is where to live. The 2026 Everett housing market is unusual: citywide prices are down 11.6% year over year, but the picture inside the city splinters into three different submarkets moving in three different directions. This guide walks Navy families through the trade-offs.

    The Three Paths: Base Housing, Renting, Buying

    Base / Navy-managed housing. NAVSTA Everett works with Hunt Military Communities for privatized family housing. The waitlist, eligibility, and assignment process are handled through Hunt and the housing office at NAVSTA. For families who want minimum hassle, no commute, and the on-base community network, this path is the cleanest. Sailors with new orders typically apply through MyNavy Housing.

    Renting off-base with BAH. Most Navy families at NAVSTA Everett end up renting in the local civilian market. BAH at the Everett ZIP codes for E-5 with dependents in 2025 was approximately $2,400/month — and BAH is updated annually each January. Rental inventory in Everett at the BAH range is realistic in downtown and south Everett. If you are coming from a high-BAH duty station and want similar lifestyle, you may need to add to BAH out of pocket; if you’re coming from a moderate-BAH station, BAH alone often covers a comfortable two- or three-bedroom rental in Everett.

    Buying off-base. Buying makes sense if your orders are 24+ months and you have the down payment, or if you anticipate orders back to NAVSTA in a future tour. The 2026 market favors buyers in the 98208 ZIP code (down 7.5% year over year) and is appreciating in downtown (up 11.4%). NAVSTA-adjacent buying with VA loan benefits has been a consistent path to wealth-building for retiring Navy families in Snohomish County.

    The Three Everett Submarkets, From a Navy Family’s Perspective

    Downtown Everett. Median sale price approximately $384,000 in early 2026, up 11.4% year over year. The most affordable single-purchase entry point in the city. Walkable to Hewitt Avenue restaurants, Waterfront Place, and the Everett Station for Sounder and Amtrak. Downtown is roughly 5–8 minutes from the NAVSTA Everett gate at 13th Street and Ross Avenue. For a sailor with 24-month orders who wants to buy without overcommitting, downtown is realistic.

    South Everett (98208 ZIP). Median sale price approximately $740,000, down 7.5% year over year. Single-family homes built in the 1990s and 2000s with three to four bedrooms, garages, and yards. Better fit for families with kids. The school district question matters here — most of 98208 is in Mukilteo School District (Mariner High School area) or Everett Public Schools depending on exact address. The commute from 98208 to NAVSTA is 15–20 minutes via I-5 or surface streets, longer during peak rush hour.

    Northwest Everett. Median sale price approximately $705,000, up 22.1% year over year as of October 2025. The historic Rucker Hill bluff district. Character-rich older homes, walkable to downtown, the most desirable Everett residential neighborhood for many homebuyers. NW Everett is generally a “I’m settling here for the long term” decision rather than a typical PCS-tour purchase. Inventory is tight; expect competitive offers when listings appear.

    School Districts: The Critical Variable

    Two school districts cover Everett-area Navy families:

    Everett Public Schools serves most of central and north Everett, including downtown and Northwest Everett. The district’s 2025 graduation rate hit a record 96.3% — a notable data point for families weighing the move. Cascade High School and Everett High School are the two main high schools. Jackson High School is a third. The district is generally well-regarded.

    Mukilteo School District serves much of south Everett (98208 area), Mukilteo, and the Mariner neighborhood. Mariner High School is the main high school for the Mariner area. The district has historically had strong ratings and a more diverse student population than Mukilteo proper.

    If a specific school is a priority — for IEP services, athletic programs, AP course offerings, or feeder structure — pin down the school first, then choose the address. Both districts publish boundary maps online; cross-check before signing a lease.

    The Deployment-Cycle Question

    NAVSTA Everett-homeported destroyers go on Western Pacific (WESTPAC) deployments and Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) deployments. USS Gridley’s 2026 Southern Seas circumnavigation deployment is a current example. Sailors leave for 6–9 months at a stretch on a typical fleet rotation.

    This affects the rent-vs-buy decision. If your sailor will be deployed for 7 of your 24 PCS months, the renting path is operationally easier — your spouse handles a lease termination at PCS-out instead of a home sale. If you anticipate multiple tours at NAVSTA (sailors often return for multiple Pacific Fleet rotations), the buy path compounds.

    The Fleet & Family Support Center at NAVSTA Everett runs Family Readiness programming specifically for deployment cycles, and it can be a meaningful tie-breaker — proximity to the FFSC is more valuable when your sailor is at sea than when they’re home. Most Everett housing options are 10–15 minutes or less from FFSC.

    BAH Math For Common Pay Grades

    BAH rates change annually each January. For 2025 reference (verify current year on the official Defense Travel Management Office website):

    • E-5 with dependents in Everett ZIP codes: roughly $2,400/month
    • E-7 with dependents: roughly $2,700/month
    • O-3 with dependents: roughly $2,800/month
    • O-5 with dependents: roughly $3,200/month

    Most downtown Everett two-bedroom apartments rent in the $1,500–$2,000 range. South Everett single-family three-bedroom rentals run $2,200–$2,800. The BAH math generally works at all common Navy pay grades for Everett rental options. The math gets tighter for buying: a $740K south Everett single-family with 5% down using a VA loan, 30-year fixed at current rates, runs above E-5 BAH. An E-7 or O-3 buyer has more room.

    The Long Trends Navy Families Should Know

    Several Everett-specific developments affect Navy family quality of life and asset values over the next several years:

    • The frigate program cancellation impact on NAVSTA. The Constellation-class frigate program cancellation removed an expected pipeline of ships from NAVSTA’s roster. The base remains a major destroyer homeport with ongoing Navy investment, but the long-tail force-structure conversation matters for sailors expecting future tours here.
    • Sound Transit Everett Link extension. Light rail to downtown Everett would be a major quality-of-life upgrade for Navy families using transit. Decisions are pending in 2026 with significant uncertainty.
    • Waterfront Place and Millwright District. Downtown Everett’s Friday-and-Saturday social scene is materially better in 2026 than it was in 2024. For families with older kids, a working spouse looking for hospitality jobs, or a sailor on liberty, this matters.
    • NAVSTA Everett Fleet & Family Support Center programs. FFSC runs spouse career counseling, FERP, MySTeP, and SECO — meaningful for spouses navigating Snohomish County employment. Use these from week one.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How close is NAVSTA Everett to downtown Everett?

    NAVSTA Everett’s main gate is roughly 5–8 minutes from downtown Everett by car, depending on the gate route and time of day. Walking is possible but not common for active-duty commuting.

    Can I use my BAH to rent in downtown Everett?

    Yes. Downtown Everett rental inventory at typical Navy BAH ranges is realistic for E-5 and above with dependents. One-bedroom apartments run roughly $1,500–$1,900; two-bedrooms $1,800–$2,400.

    Which Everett school district is best for Navy families?

    Both Everett Public Schools (94.3%–96.3% graduation rates in recent years) and Mukilteo School District are well-regarded. Pin down the specific school first, then pick the address — both districts publish boundary maps. Everett Public Schools serves most of central Everett, downtown, and Northwest Everett. Mukilteo SD covers south Everett and Mukilteo.

    Is buying or renting better at NAVSTA Everett?

    For 24-month orders with no anticipated return tour, renting is usually simpler. For 36-month orders or sailors who anticipate multiple tours at NAVSTA Everett, buying with a VA loan in the 2026 down market can be a smart asset move.

    What is the deployment cycle for NAVSTA Everett-homeported ships?

    Typical destroyer rotations are 6–9 months for WESTPAC or SOUTHCOM deployments, with predeployment workups in the months before. Specific timing varies by ship and squadron.

    Where do most Navy families live in Everett?

    The mix splits roughly evenly between on-base/Hunt-managed housing, downtown rentals, south Everett rentals, and Mukilteo rentals. NAVSTA Everett is a relatively small base and the Navy footprint is distributed across the city rather than concentrated in one neighborhood.

    Can my spouse work in Everett?

    Yes. The Fleet & Family Support Center runs spouse career counseling and Federal Employment Readiness programs. Boeing, Providence Regional Medical Center, the Port of Everett, Funko, and Snohomish County are major regional employers. The Boeing 737 North Line at Paine Field is currently hiring 100+ assemblers per day.

    What happens if my sailor PCS-es out before our lease ends?

    Washington state law (RCW 59.18.220) generally allows military families to terminate a lease early with 30 days written notice and a copy of PCS orders, regardless of lease language to the contrary. Verify with your specific lease and consult NAVSTA Legal Assistance if questions arise.