By Jack Stubbs
A development in the pipeline in Seattle’s Northgate neighborhood was recently given unanimous approval to proceed to the next stage of the city’s design review process.
On Monday, February 12th, a 72-unit project was given the green light by the board at an Early Design Guidance meeting. At the meeting, the applicant—architect Skidmore Janette—presented project plans on behalf of Seattle-based Emerald Bay Equity, the developer of the project.
Located at 8829 Roosevelt Way NE, the development calls for the construction of a project that will include 72 units and 5,005 square feet of street-level commercial space. Additionally, the development features an exterior courtyard area and 62 parking stalls.
According to the preliminary plans presented during the meeting, the applicant team’s priority design guidelines for the project include enhancing the relationship between the development and the adjacent streetscape, successfully activating the proposed commercial space and encourage pedestrian interaction with the building at the street level with various amenities and landscaping elements. Additionally, the applicant team hops to create a development that conforms with the surrounding neighborhood context by incorporating open space elements into the project and creating an appropriate size and scale.
The Design Review Board expressed its unanimous support for the applicant team’s proposed project plans and also gave additional feedback about the building’s design. The applicant team will now consider these design elements after it submits a Master Use Permit to the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspection, according to Wendy Shark, senior public relations specialist with SDCI.
At the meeting, the board expressed its approval of the proposed artist studio and also recommended that the applicant team improve access to the exterior courtyard area. Additionally, the board suggested that the applicant continue using high-quality materials for the building’s exterior and work further on programming the street-level commercial and retail uses of the project.
During its deliberation period, the board recommended that the applicant team consider coordinating with SDOT to ensure the safety of bike and pedestrian circulation throughout the development. The board also asked for the contractor to provide more detailed project plans before the next Design Review meeting.
