By Meghan Hall
Seattle’s Northwest Design Review Board voted unanimously earlier this month to allow a 96-unit assisted living facility proposal to advance through the city’s review process and apply for a Master Use Permit at a design review meeting at the end of October 2018. The proposed development, Aegis Living of Greenwood, is located at 10002 Holman Rd. in Northwest Seattle. Proposed by Ankrom Moisan Architects and assisted living care provider Aegis, the project would also include 15,565 square feet of residential amenity space, 47 below-grade parking stalls and 1,003 square feet of street level retail on 9th Ave. and John Street.
“Aegis Living is excited to join the Greenwood neighborhood, offering residents a welcoming new home that enables them to stay in the community they know and love as needs change,” said Bryon Ziegler, director of development and entitlements for Aegis Senior Living.
Aegis Living currently has several other assisted living facilities at various stages of development throughout the Seattle metro area, including one on Mercer Island that is slated to open in 2019. The company currently has five communities within the Seattle city limits that provide a combination of assisted living, memory care and short term care. Additional five projects will open in Seattle, Bellevue and Kirkland, following the opening of Aegis of Mercer Island in 2019; Aegis at Greenwood would round out the list with a planned delivery of fall 2021.
According to JP Emery, a principal at Ankrom Moisan, the design team wanted to closely connect the development to the existing Greenwood community in an effort to make the transition to assisted living easier.
“We think that a semi-traditional design is an appropriate architectural response to the neighborhood and will help relate it to its users who are relocating from their homes,” explained Emery. “Creating a familiar residential feeling is really critical for us and for Aegis.”
Emery said that the design team sought to create a building that had a modern approach to traditional design. Slate roof tiles, stucco and red brick veneer are a few of the main elements that combine to create the building’s exterior.
“Inspired by the timeless brick and residential cottage character of the nearby neighborhood, we created a familiar yet transformative backdrop for living life to the fullest, with a little added assistance,” said Ziegler of the development’s design.
Feedback from both the board and the community were positive, and only minor changes were requested of the design team. The board’s comments primarily focused on the most prominent corner of the building that faces the intersection of Holman and 100th St., where the main entry of the project is located. The board did ask the design team to further emphasize and refine the design of the façade that faces the intersection. Aegis and Ankrom Moisan were also asked to consider different options for pedestrian lighting along the exterior of the building, since the originally planned wall-mounted lighting will likely not work as the building’s wall proceeds below grade.
“We’re excited to contribute to the neighborhood and also elevate the level of architectural quality along Holman Road,” said Emery. “This is a very uniquely designed project in that it draws on the neighboring residential character of Greenwood. We’re excited to do a project with a high level of detailing and material quality.”
