March 25, 2015

Big changes coming to area around 23rd & Union in the Central District

Image by Weinstein A+U [enlarge]

The latest Lake Union Partners project, shown on the map in red, would have 150 market-rate units.

Lake Union Partners will present plans to the city of Seattle tonight for a six-story apartment building at 2220 E. Union St.

The design guidance meeting starts at 8 p.m. in Seattle University's Admissions & Alumni Building at 824 12th Ave.

The site is at the northwest corner of 23rd Avenue and East Union Street, and the complex could have up to 150 units.

(Editor's note: The story has been changed to clarify the number of units.)

While the area has a history of drug dealing and gun violence, times are changing. Several new projects promise to bring new residents and businesses.

Lake Union Partners is developing two other apartment buildings on adjacent blocks, and Capitol Hill Housing is planning a mixed-use building at 24th and Union.

The four projects could add nearly 370 apartments to the three-block stretch of Union between 22nd and 25th avenues.

The latest Lake Union Partners project would involve constructing up to 150 market-rate apartments and 11,800 square feet of retail. Parking for 112 vehicles would include 24 commercial spaces.

The image shows a preliminary massing study and doesn't necessarily reflect the final design.

Weinstein A+U is the architect.

Under the developer's preferred proposal, retail would be on Union at the corners of 22nd and 23rd avenues. The lobby would be on Union, and parking access would be from 22nd.

Outdoor spaces for residents could include a second-level courtyard and a rooftop terrace.

The developer would seek a contract rezone, allowing the building height to be 65 feet instead of the 40 feet that current zoning allows.

Several structures would be demolished, including a 76 gas station and a single-story building that is home to Cappy's Boxing Gym and Seattle Kajukenbo & Kung Fu Kids. A neighborhood P-patch would also be removed.

Construction is already underway on Lake Union Partners' six-story, 92-unit project called The Central, located on the southwest corner of 23rd and Union.

The developer is also working on Stencil, a four-story, 39-unit project at the southeast corner of 24th and Union.

Both Stencil and The Central will have retail, totaling 7,100 square feet.

Capitol Hill Housing acquired the former KeyBank branch site on the northwest corner of 24th and Union and plans to build a four-story apartment building with 80 to 90 units and 2,300 square feet of commercial space there.

The owners of the block on the south side of Union between 23rd and 24th sought in 2013 to create denser zoning on the property, but did not have immediate plans to redevelop it. The block includes a liquor store and a post office.