May 3, 2017

58 apartments planned for steep site on the west side of Capitol Hill

Image by NK Architects [enlarge]

NK Architects is designing Bell View, a five-story, 58-unit apartment complex.

A second and likely final design review is set for next week on a 58-unit apartment building that is planned for a steep site above Interstate 5.

The challenging site at 736 Bellevue Pl. E. is accessed from the dead end of Bellevue Place, which also connects to Melrose Trail, a bike and pedestrian trail that parallels the freeway.

An LLC associated with Walls Property Management bought part of the site in 2014 for $774,600, and initially proposed building 40 units there. The site was expanded through a lot boundary adjustment with a neighboring condominium for $20,000. Last December, the site was expanded to the south by purchasing part of the state's freeway easement for another $230,000.

Total investment for the land is $1 million. About 3,000 square feet were added to the initial site, which now is 18,175 square feet.

Two houses built there in 1904 will be removed. They are currently divided into 12 apartment units.

NK Architects is designing the five-story, 58-unit building, to be called the Bell View. It will have 18 parking spaces below grade, plus a bike room for 16 bicycles. Total project size is about 52,363 square feet.

Large roof decks will offer unobstructed views of Lake Union, Elliott Bay and the Olympics.

The design proposal notes that the project will preserve views for the uphill neighbors, and “bring ‘eyes on the street' to this secluded area.” The adjacent Bellevue Place Park is a public greenspace used mainly by dog walkers and homeless encampments.

The Bell View team also includes Earth Solutions NW, geotechnical engineer; CTS Engineering, civil engineer; CT Engineering, structural engineer; Karen Kiest Landscape Architects; and Chadwick & Winters, surveyor. No general contractor has been announced.

The design review meeting is set for 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 10 at Seattle University's Admissions & Alumni Building, 824 12th Ave.