Urban Villages, Inc., a real estate development and property management company that focuses on long-term value generation through place-oriented design and curation, formally announced the completion of the first phase of its RailSpur historic-preservation multi-project in Seattle with the delivery of 419 Occidental Ave. Known as the Manufacturers Building, 419 Occidental is an eight-story, 92,755-square-foot Class-A historic office project with 10,435 square feet of active ground-floor retail, with an additional 4,767 SF of rentable space in the basement.
419 Occidental is part of Urban Villages’ RailSpur, an historic preservation redevelopment consisting of three former warehouse buildings in Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood. The buildings are connected by intersecting alleyways that will become activated urban spaces under lights and art complementing a carefully selected mix of artisanal retail and F&B tenants. Urban Villages is working with the local office of CBRE to lease the Class A office building. The RailSpur micro-district will include 115 S. Jackson St., a residential community with ground-floor retail that is expected to be completed later this year, and 100 S. King St., a historic boutique-hotel conversion set to open in 2023.
“The delivery of 419 Occidental at RailSpur is a significant milestone toward the revitalization of Seattle’s first neighborhood,” said Jon Buerge, Urban Villages Chief Development Officer. “This is an exciting opportunity for retailers and businesses to participate in the city’s newest 24/7 micro-district.”
One of the first developments in Seattle pursuing LEED® Platinum (Core + Shell) certification to also receive historic preservation tax credits, 419 Occidental at RailSpur provides a blueprint for thoughtful adaptive re-use. Tenants will enjoy seismic upgrades in modernized spaces, a wrap-around rooftop garden offering unobstructed views of the Puget Sound and Seattle’s skyline, connectivity via the region’s major mass transit options, and immediate access to the F&B and retail experience at RailSpur alleyways.
The offices provide the conveniences and safety of new construction without compromising the character of the original Manufacturers Building. Located at the intersection of three of Seattle’s most dynamic neighborhoods — including the revitalized Seattle Waterfront, Pioneer Square, and Stadium District — 419 Occidental is a commuter’s paradise. The building boasts easy access to the Washington State ferries at the newly expanded Colman Dock to the west; pedestrian routes to the First Hill Streetcar to the north; the growing regional transportation network that connects downtown Seattle with the rest of the Puget Sound region, including downtown Bellevue and, eventually, Tacoma, Redmond, Issaquah, and Lynnwood, via King Street Station to the east; and major highways to the southwest.
Recognized widely for its environmental stewardship, Urban Villages’ commitment to sustainability is reflected in the pursuit of LEED® Platinum certification, “active design” elements via a showcase wood-and-steel glass-encased egress stairway — a modern take on the original fire escapes from SHED Architecture & Design — rooftop solar panels, and sequestered carbon via ample use of wood and heavy timber throughout the building.
419 Occidental highlights include:
- 11,000+-square-foot floorplates that can accommodate full-floor identities for multiple tenants
- Modernized office spaces rich with historic character with exposed brick and heavy timber
- Prominent ground-level retail spaces up to 5,000 SF
- Class A building surrounded by RailSpur alleyways, creating an activated urban piazza with year-round programming complementing a unique mix of artisan retailers and eateries onsite
- Pursuing LEED® Platinum certification (Core + Shell) and 47.5 kW rooftop solar array, whichwill offset an estimated 52 tons of carbon each year
- Modern structural reinforcements and seismic code compliance
- Stair Tower, a glass-encased wood-and-steel stairway, encouraging physical activity whilereducing building energy use and connecting tenants with activity in RailSpur alleyways
- Transit-rich location with access to the region’s major mass transit hubs and onsite bike storage
- Unrivalled connectivity boasting 100 Transit Score, 95 Walk Score, and 91 Bike Score
- Wrap-around rooftop garden with unobstructed views of the Seattle skyline and the Sound
After the design and entitlement process, Urban Villages began construction on what is one of the largest NPS-approved historic preservation projects pursuing LEED® Platinum certification in the country. The second phase of RailSpur includes a dynamic residential building at 115 S. Jackson St., formerly known as the Sidmonds Building, with highly efficient micro-apartments, ground floor retail, and bicycle amenities.
The third phase consists of the historic conversion of the current Westland Building at 100 S. King St. into a boutique hotel. The three buildings are connected by intersecting alleyways. Under the canopy of lights and art, this community galvanizing space will feature regular programming with concerts, farmers’ markets, retail events, and other activation efforts.
Office leasing is provided by JJ Shephard and John Hansen of CBRE, and retail leasing is led by the Urban Villages team.
ABOUT URBAN VILLAGES, INC.
Urban Villages curates experiences through integrated real estate development and property management ventures unique to each location. The firm designs, constructs, and invests in dynamic, district-wide ventures anchored by extraordinary buildings and the spaces that connect them. No two projects ever look alike. And no endeavor is limited to a single building. The company views structures within organic, evolving networks. It redefines urban design and ecological planning to balance economic needs with environmental concerns. Urban Villages’ projects use less energy, consume fewer natural materials, generate long-lasting returns, and enhance communities. http://www.urban- villages.com
