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October 12, 2015

Landmark ruling could scuttle 124-unit project

By LYNN PORTER
Journal Staff Reporter

Photo courtesy of NK Architects [enlarge]
The Wayne Apartments were originally three rowhouses constructed between 1888 and 1893, before the Denny Hill regrade.

The Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board recently voted to designate as a city landmark the Wayne Apartments at 2224 Second Ave. in the Belltown neighborhood.

This means the Wayne cannot be altered or significantly changed without approval from the board. It may be demolished only if the owner can demonstrate there is no reasonable economic use.

The vote was 6 for and 3 against, and there was one recusal.

Wood Partners has filed preliminary paperwork with the city to build about 124 residential units on the Wayne parcel and two adjacent parcels. A site plan says the existing buildings would be demolished.

Steve Yoon with Atlanta-based Wood Partners declined comment on the board's decision.

The Wayne Apartments were originally three rowhouses constructed between 1888 and 1893. They pre-date the Denny Hill regrade and “represent a once-common but now extremely rare rowhouse building form in Seattle, although this example has been altered,” according to the landmark nomination application prepared by NK Architects.

In 1911, the rowhouses were raised and a one-story unreinforced masonry commercial structure was constructed underneath. The application notes that this was presumably to improve the viability of the structure following the regrade of the Second Avenue portion of Denny Hill, which was completed around 1906.

Sarah Sodt, landmarks board coordinator, said the ruling is based on these factors: the Wayne is a significant remnant of the pre-Denny regrade and has visible architectural characteristics of that era, and it is a unique feature of the neighborhood.

Rain City Properties LLC owns the Wayne. John Lindgren and Brad Smith are managers of the LCC.

Rain City asked the board for a ruling — something landowners often do when an older building would be demolished as part of a redevelopment.

The commercial part of the Wayne is home to Rocco's, Lava Lounge and Community Gardens, and the apartments are rented out, Smith said on Friday. But, he said, the apartment complex has deteriorated and needs a lot of work.

Smith said “it's way too expensive” to bring the apartments back to their historic nature.

Rain City has considered doing just a basic renovation of the building, but found even that was not economically viable, he said.

That was the conclusion another group that was considering buying the building about eight months ago also came to, Smith said.

“I love old buildings and history and all that, but in this instance it makes no sense to sink a lot more money into that building,” he said. “It's just too far gone.”

Smith said he is disappointed the board did not tour the apartments, as Rain City requested.

“You can't really get a feel until you walk up in there,” he said.

Zacri Inc. of Seattle owns the two parcels adjacent to the Wayne where Wood Partners is considering the residential development. Tula's Restaurant and Jazz Club and Shorty's are among the tenants there.

Wood Partners developed a 27-story apartment building called Dimension by Alta at 225 Cedar St. in Belltown. It plans a 39-story apartment tower at the southwest corner of Second Avenue and Stewart Street near Pike Place Market.


 


Lynn Porter can be reached by email or by phone at (206) 622-8272.




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