Changing Seattle: Long-time Seattle glass artist's 'hot shop' demolished for luxury apartments

KIRO7 Airdate: May 23, 2018 | MMJ pkg SEATTLE — A long-time Seattle glass artist who has works on display in museums all over the world, and worked with Dale Chihuly for more than a decade, is being forced to close his work studio in South Lake Union. The studio, or "hot shop," will be demolished and a 28-story luxury apartment building with 278 units will be built in the space. Rising costs in Seattle – especially downtown – are driving out small businesses and artists. "It's devastating. It changes the whole culture. Is it wrong? No. Is it happening? Yes. Seattle is not what it used to be," Blank said. "And it's time to leave." But Blank said in some ways, being forced out is a blessing. He said his bills for the property add up to $15,000 a month. He rents the shop out but says some months he can't break even. He says as the "canyon of apartments" grows, "we've been hanging on. But coming down here is awful. The traffic, construction, the intensity," Blank said. "It's going to be a relief."