The Shops at The Bravern have announced the addition of French menswear designer, Café Coton, opening the first week of November. Priding itself on exquisite customer service and craftsmanship, Café Coton is an upscale European brand specializing in elegant shirts, ties and sweaters for men. Café Coton has been outfitting men throughout Europe and now in the U.S. for over 20 years. The Bravern store will be the third in the U.S. – with stores located in San Francisco and Dallas.

Café Coton began in 1990 when Charles-Augustin Jeuffrain decided to branch off from the family’s 175 year manufacturing business to create a highly recognizable line of men’s clothing. Jeuffrain’s vision has become a reality with the creation of the Café Coton brand. The quality, attractive pricing and friendly environment all contribute to the success. Designed in Paris and exclusively manufactured to the brand’s exacting standards, the products are aimed at dressing the modern man with style, while bringing him comfort and elegance in both work and social settings.

“We feel the Café Coton brand aligns very favorably with the quality of merchandise and customer service you find at The Bravern and believe we’ll be a great fit for the holiday season,” says Bryan Rittenberry, owner, Café Coton Bellevue. Size and style preference information is saved in a confidential customer database allowing sales associates to assist anyone with the purchase of a perfect gift for a Café Coton customer.

Here is their press release (with a lot of spin):

The Bravern Signature Residences

Expands Its Offering of Luxury Apartment Homes With the Opening of the North Tower

BELLEVUE, WASH (October 14, 2010) –Building on the strength of the rental housing market in downtown Bellevue and the overwhelming leasing success of the South Tower apartment homes, Schnitzer West, LLC has announced the expansion of its luxury apartment offering with the debut of the North Tower apartment homes at The Bravern Signature Residences.

Recently named by CNNMoney as number four on the list of “Best Places to Live,” Bellevue continues to grow into a regional business center, complemented by world class shopping and one of the nation’s top ranked public school systems.  Given Bellevue’s relatively low unemployment and a stable employment base, in-migration of a highly educated workforce continues to drive housing demand on the Eastside and now to downtown Bellevue.

Since the opening of The Bravern Residences South Tower apartment homes in late April, leasing activity has exceeded the most optimistic projections resulting in nearly 25 units rented per month, well in excess of a typical apartment lease-up.  More than 65 percent of the apartments have been leased in the first six months and continues on a pace such that additional inventory is needed to meet the demand.

“It has become evident that a structural shift has occurred in residential demand from owned to rental housing,” said Dan Ivanoff, founder and managing member of Schnitzer West, developer of The Bravern.  “Over time, we expect the pendulum to shift back to more normalized market conditions and The Bravern Residences will be positioned to capture ownership demand when market conditions warrant.”

While The Bravern condominiums achieved conditional mortgage financing approvals through Fannie Mae and FHA, sales demand, as demonstrated through closed sales in the overall market, was not sufficient to move forward with closings at this time.  Said Ivanoff, “We firmly believe that it is in the best interest of our customers holding purchase agreements to terminate their contracts and return their earnest money deposits.”

Nationally, the housing markets are experiencing historically low sales activity that is expected to last for some time due to continued tightening of the credit markets.  This strategy allows The Bravern’s well-capitalized ownership group flexibility to provide the appropriate mix of upscale housing solutions well into the future as the economic recovery takes hold.

Bolstered by the leasing success of the South Tower apartment homes, the opportunity emerged to add additional apartment inventory to the market.  As the premier rental community in the Puget Sound, The Bravern Residences have become home to a discerning clientele seeking an upscale residential offering in close proximity to the bases of employment, shopping, recreational activities and cultural amenities.  Additionally, residents have access to all of the Signature Plaza amenities and enjoy finely detailed finishes and gourmet appliances only available at The Bravern apartment homes.

Both towers in The Bravern Residences share The Signature Plaza, a 25,000 square foot lifestyle amenity level located on the fourth floor.  Designed as an extension of the homes, the amenities plaza includes fireside lounges, an event room with catering kitchen, an entertaining room with an exhibition kitchen, a private theater, fitness center, furnished guest suites and concierge services.  Residents can relax in the spa with a whirlpool, a sauna, a steam room and a private spa treatment room. The residential towers are joined by the Garden Terrace that features a Garden House with fireplace, outdoor grilling stations, meandering paths and dog walks.  Rising above this are the two 29-story residential towers with sweeping views of the Cascades, Mount Rainier, Lake Washington and Seattle.

The Bravern Signature Residences is hosting an Open House over the weekend of October 16 & 17, featuring the newly released model homes in the North Tower.  Leasing in the North Tower recently commenced with rents starting at $1,550.  Riverstone Residential will continue to provide professional leasing and management services for the Residences.  Leasing representatives are located on the fourth floor of the South Tower.

“The Bravern is an urban neighborhood never before available in the Pacific Northwest.  In my 28-years of opening apartment communities for Riverstone Residential Group in the metro Seattle area, I have never experienced such consumer demand for apartments,” said Phyllis Driver-Machado, Property Manager for The Bravern Signature Residences.  “There was a surge of people who wanted to live at The Bravern from the first day we opened the doors.  The Residences are unparalleled in their interior finishes, spacious floor plans and extensive amenities along with wonderful shopping and dining available at your doorstep – it doesn’t get any better than this.”

Each home features natural stone and exquisite hardwoods, complemented by professional appliances in the gourmet kitchens, and are move-in ready with washers and dryers and roller shades on expansive windows.  Expectations are further met with such amenities as valet service, doormen to greet residents and guests, and dedicated concierge to handle everything from deliveries to theater tickets and dinner reservations.  Residents have exclusive access to the residential-only garage, The Signature Plaza and to each residential floor. Guests first experience the Arrival Court entry lobby and use the dedicated guest elevator to The Signature Plaza where they are greeted by the concierge.

The expansive mixed-use project, located along NE 8th Street at the gateway to downtown Bellevue, Washington, features two office towers fully leased to Microsoft Corp. and 305,000 square feet of retail, distinctive restaurants, including the recently opened Vovito Caffè & Gelato, and personal services in The Shops at The Bravern, anchored by Neiman Marcus.  The Bravern Signature Residences offer 211 apartment homes in the North Tower and 232 apartment homes in the South Tower, with units sized from 600 to more than 2,000 square feet.

Located across from Karen Millen and Tory Burch, Parkside Paper & Gift will offer a unique assortment of everyday and holiday merchandise including fine greeting cards, tote bags, gift wrap, calendars, bath & body and other specialty gift items. The array of items carried come from top national brands as well as local artists.

“It’s exciting to be in a beautiful environment, surrounded by great local and international retailers. We felt this was the right place to open our first retail store”, says owner Brian Jacobsen.

Parkside Paper & Gift will join other notable locals including Wild Ginger, John Howie Steak, Eye Society, Trophy Cupcakes, David Lawrence, Masins, Silberman Brown Stationers and Sur La Table at The Bravern.

As John Howie Steak nears the restaurant’s first birthday, chef/owner John Howie has decided to get the party going early by gifting guests with $131,550 in gift certificates.  Every party dining at the award winning steakhouse during the months of July and August will receive a sealed envelope.  Like Pandora’s Box, they MUST resist the temptation to open it!  When returning to dine during the months of July and August, upon the finish of their dinner and receipt of the bill, the still sealed envelope should be presented to their wait-staff.  At that time, the server will unseal the envelope and disclose the amount of the gift certificate inside, applying it to the bill.  Amounts issued range from $20 to six special certificates with $500 in value.

The envelopes must still be sealed when presented for redemption or they are considered invalid.  The gift certificates are good only for dinner (not lunch) dining during the months of June and July and may not be combined with any other promotion or used during Happy Hour.

John Howie Steak opened in September of 2009 and is located at The Shops at The Bravern, 1111 NE 8^th Street, Suite 125, Bellevue.  The restaurant was most recently honored with the 2010 Haute Picks award for “Best Steakhouse”, and “Best Steak House in Seattle” by the readers of Seattle Magazine (Best Restaurants Issue April 2010).   For reservations or information call (425) 440-0880.

Cadence Winery

Fall Line Winery

Note Benne Cellars

O-S Winery

O’Shea Scarborough

For more information visit their website at http://www.ssaw.info

And don’t forget, exclusive wine tastings are offered every third Sunday of the month at Wild Ginger Bellevue in The Shops at The Bravern from 1 to 4 pm. No cover charge and the parking’s free!

11020 NE Sixth Street – Bellevue, WA. 98004