March 5, 2019

Liv Communities files 180-unit plan for landmarked Belltown site

Photo provided by NK Architects [enlarge]

The Wayne Apartments could make way for an eight-story building with ground-floor commercial space.

In late January, the DJC first reported that local firm HB Management was eyeing the landmarked but unprotected Wayne Apartments in Belltown, plus neighboring structures, for a new apartment project. HB has a purchase and sale agreement with the two owners of three neighboring midblock parcels.

Before the Wayne was landmarked, HB and related company Paragon Real Estate Advisors had previously tried to market the assemblage. Liv Communities of Michigan was indicated as the contract buyer on the January plan.

Now Liv Communities has offered a more detailed plan for the Wayne and parcels associated with Neon Boots, Rocco's, Lava Lounge, Shorty's and Tula's. (Rocco's may have already moved.)

The eight-story building would span 2214-2224 Second Ave., on a site that would total 19,440 square feet. The project hasn't yet entered design review.

Architect Ankrom Moisan describes a 180-unit building with ground-floor retail/commercial space. There would be underground parking for 114 vehicles, presumably to be accessed from the alley to the east. Total project size, including the parking, is estimated at 172,000 square feet.

The Wayne comprises three attached rowhouses built between 1888 and 1893. It was landmarked in 2015, but the city's Landmarks Preservation Board voted last year not to place any controls on the Wayne (aka Belltown Funky Studios), which clears a path to demolition. The property last traded in 1998 for $1.1 million to a local investor group.

The two parcels to the south have long been owned by the Zappoli family, dba Zacri Inc.

Privately held Liv Communities, LivGenerations Senior Living and related company Brooks Capital Management are led by the Brooks family. Liv Communities would be new to the Northwest, and is unrelated to LIV Bel-Red and LIV Seattle in the University District (now The Nolan).