Lisa Larson makes use of her intimate space at her Metro 112 apartment in Bellevue. Photo by Chad Coleman, 2010.

With her kids grown and gone, Lisa Larson knew it was time to move from her Snoqualmie home to a location that would better reflect the next phase in her life. After researching the Eastside area, Larson settled on Metro 112, a new luxury apartment project at 317 112th Ave. NE, across from Bellevue City Hall. The all-rental residences are connected by east and west towers, housing 299 units.

Larson was reluctant at first to downsize from a large home to the intimate 700-square-feet space at Metro 112 in her one-bedroom unit, but after nearly six months of living there, she is confident she made the right decision. 

“I was really ready to relocate to an area where I could live and play in a single place,” she said. “I wanted a sense of community and I have found it here.” 

Larson works as a director of communications for Drugstore.com, headquartered a few blocks from Metro 112. She now rarely drives in her car and instead walks everywhere, from the David Barton gym in The Shops at The Bravern to her favorite restaurants on Main Street. 

“I travel a lot to Canada for work and when you visit places like Vancouver, you notice how walkable and livable the city is and Bellevue has really turned into that over the past several years,” she explained. “I’m so impressed with it. I have been wanting to move here for a while, but I wanted to do my research and really find the right place for me. I found it,” she added.

Larson’s third-floor apartment has an added bonus with an outdoor central courtyard with a fire pit and meditation fountain. Metro 112 includes a private clubroom, fitness center and a rooftop terrace. The apartment complex also has 20,000 square feet of retail space available, with room for up to nine different stores or restaurants.

“I decided to rent for now because I travel so much for work, I wanted it to be easy and fun. I didn’t want to worry about dues and keeping up the place,” Larson explained. “This also allows me the chance to see if living in downtown is what I like. So far I love it.” 

To learn more about Metro 112, visit the website at www.rentmetro112.com.