Paul Allen's investments in South Lake Union go back to 1992, with the proposal for the Seattle Commons park project.
1992: Committee forms to promote proposed Seattle Commons, a big park along the Westlake corridor in South Lake Union. Allen loans committee $20 million to start buying land.
1996: Seattle voters reject Commons tax levy a second time. Ownership of the 11.5 acres acquired by the Commons committee reverts to Allen.
1998: Allen’s Vulcan Real Estate begins buying more property in South Lake Union.
2001: Vulcan’s South Lake Union holdings total 45 acres, and several buildings are under development. Ada Healey hired to oversee real-estate operations.
Most Read Business Stories
2003: Vulcan unveils vision for 10 million square feet of new office, lab, residential, hotel and retail projects on its South Lake Union properties.
2004: Vulcan’s South Lake Union holdings top 60 acres.
2006: Vulcan has 1.2 million square feet of projects under construction, an additional 3 million in development.
2007: Amazon.com agrees to lease 1.6 million square feet from Vulcan in new, 11-building South Lake Union headquarters complex.
2008: Amazon headquarters construction starts. South Lake Union streetcar opens, linking neighborhood with downtown.
2010: Amazon moves into first South Lake Union buildings.
2012: Vulcan lists nearly finished Amazon complex for sale.