KGIP, Harrison Street, and Sugar Shack Launch Wilburton Mixed-Use Real Estate Development in Bellevue
KG Investment Properties (KGIP), Harrison Street (HSAM), and Seattle entrepreneur Marcus Lalario's Sugar Shack Unlimited have announced a mixed-use real estate development project in Bellevue, Washington's Wilburton neighborhood, with a food-and-beverage destination called Willie Burton's serving as the project's inaugural phase.
The announcement, dated March 2026, marks the beginning of a broader real estate development effort to transform a seven-acre site — formerly occupied by a car dealership — at the junction of the Eastrail multi-use trail corridor, the Wilburton Light Rail Station, and the upcoming Grand Connection Crossing into a high-density, mixed-use destination.
Phase Zero: Food, Beverage, and Community Programming
Willie Burton's, described as the project's "Phase Zero," will feature Lalario's burger-and-shake concept Lil Woody's alongside a new drinking establishment, The Bar @ Willie Burton's. James Beard Award-winning chef Brady Williams — formerly of Seattle's Canlis restaurant and current owner of Tomo in White Center — will contribute two fast-casual concepts to the project. Sugar Shack Unlimited will oversee branding, design, marketing, operations, and event activations for the project.
"For some time, we have been exploring the opportunity to bring our Seattle-born burger brand to the Eastside, and we are thrilled to introduce this cool new gathering spot to Wilburton," said Marcus Lalario. "Willie Burton's will be an energetic indoor-outdoor space where people get together — a true hub for communal life. This venture is designed not only to align with current trends, but also to actively contribute to Wilburton's continued growth."
The venue is expected to open in summer 2026 and will include an outdoor beer garden and a children's playground adjacent to the Eastrail bike-pedestrian path.
Multifamily Real Estate and Lifestyle Space Planned for Phase One
The first formal development phase calls for approximately 600 mid-rise and high-rise apartments and townhomes, along with roughly 20,000 square feet of lifestyle space combining retail and dining along the Eastrail corridor. The site sits north of Wilburton Village, an existing retail node anchored by Trader Joe's, Virginia Mason, Target, and PCC Community Markets.
The project's transit orientation is a central element of its development thesis. The Wilburton Light Rail Station, upon completion, will provide direct rail access to Seattle. The Eastrail is a 42-mile bike-pedestrian corridor stretching from Renton to Woodinville. The Grand Connection Crossing — a forthcoming bicycle and pedestrian bridge — will span Interstate 405 and connect the Eastrail at grade with the Grand Connection corridor through downtown Bellevue to Meydenbauer Bay.
"We look for neighborhoods where infrastructure investment and community demand create conditions for thoughtful, long-term growth," said Peter Kaye, Partner and Portfolio Manager of Residential Real Estate and Mixed Use at Harrison Street Asset Management. "Wilburton's transit connectivity, trail access, and recent rezoning align with the qualities we consider when evaluating residential and lifestyle opportunities. Supporting food and beverage programming on this site reflects our broader commitment to building communities where people want to live, work, and spend time."
Bellevue Rezone Sets Stage for High-Density Real Estate Development
The project follows the City of Bellevue's completion of a 300-acre rezone of the Wilburton neighborhood in summer 2025, which enabled higher-density mixed-use development in the area.
"We were drawn to the synergy between Lil Woody's and Marcus's ability to craft and produce engaging events," said Steve Kramer, Co-founder of KG Investment Properties. "Willie Burton's will be a fun community gathering spot for everyone. My favorite is the outdoor beer garden and kid's playground next to the bike trail."
About the Partners
KG Investment Properties, established in 2001 by Steve Kramer and Rick Gervais, is a Pacific Northwest and Northern California-focused commercial real estate firm with a current portfolio spanning approximately 26 million square feet across office, industrial, retail, and multifamily assets. Harrison Street Asset Management, headquartered in Chicago with additional offices in Toronto, London, and other global markets, manages more than $108 billion in assets under management across real estate, infrastructure, and credit strategies. Sugar Shack Unlimited, led by Marcus Lalario, operates a portfolio of hospitality, arts, and event businesses rooted in Seattle's cultural scene.
No financial terms for the development were disclosed.