July 15, 2020

Fairfield plans 486-unit complex in Totem Lake

Rendering by Carrier Johnson [enlarge]

Three buildings are proposed for 4.8-acre site. The development would include about 20,000 square feet of retail and commercial space.

Apartment giant Fairfield Residential has filed a redevelopment proposal for a three-building, 486-unit mixed-use project at 12045 Slater Ave. N.E. in Kirkland.

Carrier Johnson is the architect for the plan, which will have a virtual design review with the city on July 20.

The boomerang-shaped site is a little east of the Village at Totem Lake, at the intersection of Slater and Northeast 120th Street. It's in an area of the city zoned for greater density and height, the latter up to 75 feet.

The three buildings would rise seven stories above Slater, on a sloping site that would allow mostly structured parking with about 813 stalls.

The unnamed project would include about 20,000 square feet of retail and commercial space. The preferred plan would total about 849,900 square feet.

Three industrial buildings would have to be removed before the plan proceeds. Anil Verma Associates, a Los Angeles-based architecture, engineering and construction management firm, is also on the team.

Property owner Alco Totem Lake West LLC acquired the 4.8-acre site two years ago for $10 million. The LLC is associated with the Rosen Family, which runs Alaskan Copper & Brass Co. and also invests in property. It's unclear if Alco will sell or partner with Fairfield.

Meanwhile, Fairfield is developing about 650 units in two nearby buildings at the Village at Totem Lake (formerly Totem Lake Mall). The North and Aspect apartment complex will also have restaurants, retail and a Cinemark multiplex. And in Redmond, Fairfield is also nearly done with its 360-unit Radiate.

Separately, another Alco LLC paid $10 million last year for 4 acres at 12335 120th Ave. N.E., west of Interstate 405. There, an early five-story, 495-unit plan hasn't yet gone into design review, and no architect or developer is attached.