The Seattle branch of the nationwide School of Rock is looking to move from Lake City to Greenwood.
School of Rock provides music education for kids from ages 7 to 18, with the goal being to perform in front of a live audience.
General Manager Kristoffer Kierulff told us the school has been looking around the neighborhood for a while, but hasn’t found the right space yet. They need about 2,000 – 3,000 square feet, preferably a stand-alone building, or at the end of a larger building.
We are a music school, so we make some noise, but we also intend on doing some sound attenuation. The more I’ve explored the neighborhood, the more in love with it I’m becoming, so I’m really eager to get over there.
The music school hopes to move this year. They’ve already looked at the former site of Greenwood Academy of Hair at 85th and Greenwood, but said it’s too big.
So, PhinneyWood readers, let’s hear your ideas of appropriate spaces for School of Rock.
32 responses so far ↓
1 Lexicon Grrl // Jan 14, 2011 at 7:53 am
What about some of those vacant buildings on 65th, between 3rd & 8th? There’s already one small concert venue down there, above Molly McGuires that doesn’t seem to be a problem. It would be great to see some of the dead space on 65th get some use!
2 Brian // Jan 14, 2011 at 9:23 am
There is lots of vacant space in the retail levels of all those condos etc. that have been built. For example, the Ridgemont ground floor is currently vacant. The rent is probably high, though. As to why it makes economic sense to keep space vacant for years by quoting excessive rental rates, who knows.
On second thought, loud music down below (albeit in the daytime) might not be the best tenant for a condo/apt building.
3 Deb S // Jan 14, 2011 at 9:26 am
How about the old upholstery place on 85th? Even has parking.
4 Nana Babs // Jan 14, 2011 at 10:18 am
What about the big cavernous space that use to be part of the old antique store–now formerly the space design place on 76th and Greenwood that is currently vacant and for lease, right beside John Walker’s Workshop. I don’t think noise would be a negative factor. That would be a great place although parking would be sucky, but I live on the street so that would be the great part for us:)
5 hopskipandajump // Jan 14, 2011 at 10:19 am
Another vote for the old upholstery place on 85th between 11th and 12th.
6 Jenny // Jan 14, 2011 at 10:39 am
How about that former nightclub with the checkerboard paint job, across from the Greenwood Market? I bet that place already has sound attenuation.
7 Iron City Mike // Jan 14, 2011 at 10:48 am
Maybe Hair Acadamy would subdivide? That would be a great space, although I don’t know about parking.
8 rainbird // Jan 14, 2011 at 10:59 am
Big Cavernous Space next to John Walker’s Workshop? NO NO NO NO NO!!!! I live *right*
next door, and believe me, noise would be a DEFINITE factor. I’m a musician, and the very last thing I need is partially-attenuated drums and bass assaulting me while I’m working. Also, be aware that the front half of the building is occupied by architectural offices. I suspect those folks would like to be able to think while they work.
Having said that, I sincerely hope that the school finds a GOOD place to relocate which will have minimal impact on very near neighbors!!
9 jr924 // Jan 14, 2011 at 11:04 am
The upholstery place on 85th would be great. The building seems like it would be perfect from a noise standpoint. The bread business is only open at night, so no noise issues. Lots of parking. Plus it is good location for schools and large number of school age children.
10 Whopper // Jan 14, 2011 at 11:46 am
Maybe the School of Rock and Hair Academy could join forces and form a Hair Band?
http://www.thehouseofhair.net
11 Deb S // Jan 14, 2011 at 12:11 pm
Actually I was thinking of the former upholstry place between greenwood and dayton.. didn’t know there was one over by 11th and 12th.
12 jr924 // Jan 14, 2011 at 12:20 pm
The one on 85th between 11th and 12th is the one I meant too… Its a great space. Whittier Elem, Greenwood Elem, Whitman, Ballard HS all close.
13 john walker // Jan 14, 2011 at 1:25 pm
that upholstery place on 85th & phinney would be isolated from the neighbors, maybe. certainly not in the pelayo building on 76th. it would never fly with the renters in front or the neighbors. had enough noise from the previous occupants.
14 john walker // Jan 14, 2011 at 1:27 pm
the hair academy/romios building has a pretty cavernous basement with various rooms.
15 R // Jan 14, 2011 at 2:46 pm
– 8733 _ Greenwood Ave. N (former OK Corral BBQ) is being advertised as a 2700 square feet building… but with only 1200 square feet available.
– 8420 _ Greenwood Avenue N (Gelato Deli) (square footage TBD) may be more prominently located than they prefer, but the Rock School would be a natural neighbor for (www.826seattle.org) and they might even be able to make use of the performance space upstairs for special events.
For size comparison purposes only, I have heard that 8408 (now Steven Cole) is ~2000 square feet.
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– 315 N 85th Street (Joslin Upholstery & Interiors until 2009) is being advertised as ~4000 square feet I think (actual square footage TBD).
– 300 NW 85th Street (formerly Checkers… nightclub) is an interesting suggestion, but may be too large.
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– I wonder if they are considering any of the many open spaces on Aurora…
16 R // Jan 14, 2011 at 2:55 pm
Oh, maybe the rock next door would be too much of a distraction for the writers @ 826 Seattle…
17 Neighbor // Jan 14, 2011 at 7:08 pm
Checkers bar!!!!!!!!
Fabulous idea. I live RIGHT by there, and I for one think a little constructive noise is better than that god-awful hideous vacant building. I would love to have a positive draw to that part of the neighborhood!
18 Erin // Jan 14, 2011 at 11:14 pm
What about the Orowheat bakery outlet? I heard that recently closed?
19 john walker // Jan 15, 2011 at 2:21 pm
orowheat would be great acoustic-wise, but it’s slated for demolition and all new empty storefronts.
20 The Greenhood // Jan 15, 2011 at 8:41 pm
I love the thought of School of Rock moving to Greenwood. There are any number of vacant buildings to choose from. The Checkers building is not one I would have thought of, but maybe not a bad idea. Not that it doesn’t serve it’s current purpose well as an eyesore.
21 excited-neighbor // Jan 16, 2011 at 11:12 pm
CHECKERS! What a fabulous idea. I would love to see School of Rock relocate to Greenwood!
22 Mark Falconer // Jan 17, 2011 at 2:29 pm
Checkers Club would be perfect. Or, what about the old Pizza Hut that seems to never have ANY progress done on it. Lots of parking.
Greenwood needs something like this. Something positive for the kids and something really cool for the neighborhood.
23 summer // Jan 17, 2011 at 5:37 pm
Josline’s Upholstery would be wonderfull. The old DMV just across the street is a large space also available. Cobblestone Furniture has been looking for tenents to take over their space for over a year now too..It’s a great space but not stand alone. There are several large spaces on the underside of the Bartells just east of Greenwood on 85th that may still be available. This would be more warehouse style space. Checkers could also be ideal! So many options!!!
24 h2o_girl // Jan 20, 2011 at 1:05 pm
This would be fantastic, and it’s true there are several places to choose from. Checkers seems great, although it’s quite large, as does the old furniture place on 85th between 11th & 12th. The old DMV is a great idea too. They don’t start practicing until kids are out of school, so noise disruption for businesses would only be the last hour or so of the day.
25 Susan // Jan 20, 2011 at 4:26 pm
What about staying in Lake City!!!!! Please move into the old Rick’s site! Help us make Lake City cool instead of sleazy! Greenwood already is cool.
26 scott g // Jan 22, 2011 at 11:46 pm
Checkers has my vote!!! Pleaaaaaseeee…
27 ballard bitty // Jan 25, 2011 at 12:35 pm
Yes! There is a huge location for lease (i think still) on 85th NW and 12th ish…close to schools, too! whitman is within walking distance, how cool would that be as an after school activity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
28 ballard bitty // Jan 25, 2011 at 12:53 pm
And, I have to say…parking at the 85th/11/12th ish location would also ROCK..no pun intended. Easy to get in and out, and that’s key with kids running around for safety and convenience. the checkers location is too dangerous, plus its really ghetto…
29 jackie // Jan 25, 2011 at 1:12 pm
i agree with the 85th and 11th location…so close to many elementary & middle schools within the area…either within walking distance or a very short bus ride for the much older ones, like ballard or blanchet high school students.
30 Kris K // Jan 26, 2011 at 1:27 am
Hey Everyone,
Thanks for all the great feedback. We have looked into a few of the spaces suggested and are still in the process. We’re confident we’re going to find a really good fit, but I’m really encouraged to hear that a move to the neighborhood would be welcome. I’m so impressed with the community spirit, we can’t wait to be part of it! Stay tuned, we hope to land a location soon!
Kris Kierulff
General Manager, School of Rock Seattle
31 Deb Fitzpatrick // Feb 1, 2011 at 3:39 pm
Hope you find suitable accommodations! Would love to have The School of Rock, greenwood edition.
32 Kris K // Apr 14, 2011 at 6:01 pm
You may have already seen, but we signed a lease on a space at 11th and 85th. We have some construction to do inside the space but we plan on moving around late June or Early July, hopefull just in time for our first Summer Camp on June 20th, but we’ll see. We are enrolling now and have room on all six of our Summer Camp’s! Check out schoolofrock.com/seattle for more info!
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