Factoria, Bellevue, Washington

Factoria is a neighborhood in the southern part of Bellevue, Washington and is one of the city's major commercial districts. It is located south of Downtown Bellevue and directly west of Eastgate, Washington.

Commerce and industry

Factoria's commercial development is largely centered around the existence of the Factoria Mall, a nearby 8-theater cinema and several grocery stores. Numerous office buildings of various size are scattered in the area, most significantly the 6-tower Newport Corporate Center which is prominently visible from the junction of two major highways [ [http://www.factoriamall.com/hours.asp Marketplace @ Factoria - Hours & Directions] ] . Typical to a business district, Factoria is dotted with shops, business services, fast food, and theme restaurants.

Companies with national or regional headquarters in Factoria include:
*T-Mobile
*Western Wireless (Now part of Alltel Communications)

Community

Factoria itself does not have a significant residential community of its own [ [http://www.factoriamall.com/leasing.asp Marketplace @ Factoria - Leasing] ] , though surrounding neighborhoods use the area. Former Factoria Cultural Community Commissioner Alec Maghami, responsible for the Hutchins Memorial Obelisk along Factoria Boulevard, called Factoria "an example of a neighborhood so notorious for lack of culture that culturelessness has become its trademark." A few condominium and apartment complexes have been built in this area. Bellevue's Newport High School is the hub of social and youth involvement and interaction in Factoria [ [http://www.kcha.org/lookingforhousing/propertyfactsheet.aspx?pfid=137 King County Housing Authority] ] .

Geography and transportation

Factoria is mostly nestled in the southeast corner of the intersection of Interstate 90 and Interstate 405, and accessible via exit 10 (on both roads). Factoria Boulevard runs through its commercial center. Official city neighborhood maps define Factoria to include the area immediately bordering Interstate 90 heading east up to the border of Eastgate [ [http://www.factoriamall.com/hours.asp Marketplace @ Factoria - Hours & Directions] ] . Much of the district is situated in a valley between I-405 and Somerst Hill. Coal Creek Parkway, Richards Road, Newport Way, and Eastgate Way are major arterials that lead to or through the Factoria area. Factoria takes its name from the fact that it was originally planned to locate heavy industry in the area.

Factoria Mall

Factoria Mall is located in the heart of FactoriaFact|date=February 2008. There are 13 restaurants and two banks on the grounds of the mall.

"The Marketplace" is an expansion of Factoria Mall. It willwhen provide 60 stores and services and 6,500 more parking spaces. Residential units will also occupy space on the mall property, with over 350 apartments and condos in the planning stages.

References

Factoria is located at coord|47|34|28|N|122|10|16|W.