June 3, 2015

One building with two hotels coming to Mercer & Fairview

Courtesy Lowen Family Limited Partnership [enlarge]

Two new hotels in South Lake Union will share one building, and a variety of outdoor spaces.

The nine-story building will be at 527 Fairview Ave. N., with a total of 235 hotel rooms and about 90 underground parking spaces.

But the space will be split into two different brands: Even Hotels, which has a health and wellness theme, will face Fairview Avenue; and Staybridge Suites, designed for extended stays, will face Mercer Street.

Even Hotels and Staybridge Suites are part of the InterContinental Hotels Group.

The project owner is listed in design documents as Lowen Family Limited Partnership. Murphy Varey PS is named as the architect and applicant. Jonathan Nehmer + Associates of Rockville, Maryland, an architecture firm that specializes in hotels, is also named in documents.

A design review recommendation meeting is tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Queen Anne Community Center, 1901 First Ave. W.

The site at the southwest corner of Mercer and Fairview is highly visible, and the project will be one of the first things drivers see when they exit Interstate 5 at Mercer Street. There are plans for deciduous trees and a sculpture along the sidewalk.

The ground floor and half of the second floor will house public space and hotel amenities.

The design shows a variety of open spaces on the site: a central courtyard with some artificial turf, a deck for exercise and a seating court. Several outdoor landscaped spaces are also shown, including a covered seating area with a pavilion for events.

Even Hotels' website says it puts a fitness area and exercise equipment in each hotel room, and guests can use a mobile app to help them get a better workout. Staff also will give advice about walking and running routes.

The hotels also offer healthy snacks and say they can accommodate many dietary restrictions.

Three Even Hotels operate today in New York City, Rockville, Maryland, and Norwalk, Connecticut.

Staybridge Suites are designed for longer stays, with a laundry and kitchen in each room. There are two Staybridge Suites in this area, in Fremont and Mukilteo.