September 12, 2018

Shilshole to redevelop Eastlake site with housing, offices and a hill-climb

Rendering by Public47 Architects [enlarge]

A five-story building with 103 units would replace one of the Ross Labs buildings on Fairview, and the other would be renovated for commercial space.

Shilshole Development bought the former Ross Labs property in January for $6.3 million through an LLC, and is working with Public47 Architects on redevelopment plans.

The first design review is 8 p.m. tonight at Seattle University's Admissions & Alumni Building, 824 12th Ave.

The long, skinny site at 3138 Fairview Ave. E. totals 24,931 square feet. It's zoned for structures up to 40 feet, but an upzone to 55 feet is anticipated.

Studio47's preferred plan is for a new five-story building with 103 units above structured parking for 40 vehicles. Garage lifts might increase that total to 56 parking stalls.

Units would range from studios to two-bedrooms. A large green roof and deck are planned, as well as a bike room and “water sports amenity” area.

This new structure would replace the north one-story Ross Labs building. A two-story Ross Labs building on the south end of the site dates to the 1960s, and would be renovated to create about 10,000 square feet of commercial space.

The project could also include a new public stairway on the north end of the property, at East Martin Street, to connect Fairview and Eastlake Avenue East. The alley east of the new building would also be improved.

Public47 writes, “The new hill-climb stair will become an active addition to the city and allow access from the Eastlake commercial core to Good Turn Park on Lake Union. In addition, the alley path will increase connectivity and safety for what is currently an unimproved dead-end.”

The team also includes Karen Kiest Landscape Architects and KPFF, civil engineer.

Shilshole is currently planning 42 net-zero units at 3825 Bridge Way N., and recently completed 61 units at 2359 Franklin Ave. E.

Ross Labs was founded in 1953 by WWII veteran Wayne Ross to manufacture depth sounders. The marine electronics company bought and developed the Fairview property in the 1960s. The family sold the business in 2014 to Teknologic Engineering of Edmonds, where it recently relocated.