September 20, 2016

Lennar builds 226 units in a z-shaped structure

Image courtesy Lennar Multifamily Communities [enlarge]

Axle’s unique shape was chosen to protect views and bring light into all the units.

Lennar Multifamily Communities broke ground last month on the 226-unit Axle apartments in Interbay.

The 36,000-square-foot site is at 3250 16th Ave. W. It is west of 15th Avenue West, between West Bertona and West Dravus streets.

Through an LLC, Lennar bought two parcels in April from Quest Ministries for $7 million.

Axle was designed by Encore Architects and is being built by Venture. The seven-story structure will have a kinked Z-shape in the middle, above the second floor. A rooftop deck will have a grilling station and other amenities.

Ten of the units will be townhouses, and there will be 156 parking spaces (mostly above grade) and bicycle storage for over 80 bikes.

Forty-five apartments are reserved for affordable housing, pegged to a percentage of area median income. No retail space is included in the project.

Lennar's Brad Reisinger said that instead of going with a C-shaped courtyard to break up the 300-foot west facade, “We went with the Z-shape — even if it's not as efficient — because of the views toward Salmon Bay and Elliott Bay. That shape ensures that all of the units get great light.”

He said Lennar hopes to finish the project by the spring of 2018.

Axle is near Metro Rapidride's D line and the 32 bus route on 15th Avenue West. Sound Transit also hopes to build a future light-rail line from downtown to Ballard, with stops along 15th.

A QFC is immediately west of the building.

Here is Lennar's team for Axle: Coughlin Porter Lundeen (structural and civil engineer), Communita Atelier (landscape architect) and ObjectSpace (interiors).