May 12, 2015

The Commons at Ballard starts

Courtesy Studio Meng Strazzara [enlarge]

Henbart LLC of Seattle started construction on The Commons at Ballard, a mixed-use complex with office space, housing and retail.

The complex will have two buildings — one five-story and one six-story — at 5601 22nd Ave. N.W. There will be 22,000 square feet of office space on two floors, 80 apartments and 20,000 square feet of retail. Four townhouses will face Ballard Commons Park.

Opening is set for August 2016.

The office space could be occupied by one or two large companies, or split into smaller spaces. Mark Craig, president of Henbart, said there is a lot of demand for office space in Ballard and Fremont, and the vacancy rate is around 3 percent.

About 75 percent of the retail has been leased to Bartell Drugs, which will have a 15,000 square-foot-store in the complex.

Henbart said it is the first market-rate developer in Seattle to earn LEED platinum pre-certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for the core and shell. Only 7 percent of new construction projects participating in the LEED program in Seattle have earned platinum certification, Henbart said in a press release. Henbart said its project would be the third LEED platinum multifamily development in Seattle.

“We wanted to provide residents and tenants with well-designed spaces that also have the net benefit of providing lower operating costs and environmental preservation,” Craig said in a press release. “We don't think that you need to choose between dynamic design, high-end finishes and environmental stewardship.”

Studio Meng Strazzara is the architect and W.G. Clark Construction Co. is the general contractor. Pastakia + Associates is the project manager, and Unico Properties' sustainability division is the LEED consultant.

The complex will collect and reuse rainwater for all its irrigation. Henbart said its expects the recycling and compost system and low-flow plumbing fixtures will reduce water use by 42 percent.

Henbart said it expects to use 35 percent less energy than a traditional building by installing high efficiency windows, a reverse cycle chiller to heat hot water, master shut-off switches for residential units and rooftop solar panels.

There will be bike lockers on every floor for office and housing tenants. Office tenants will have access to showers and changing rooms for people who bike or run to work.