February 28, 2022

LMC files 734-unit plan for site near U Village; Burgermaster in peril

Photo by CBRE [enlarge]

In this broker’s photo, looking roughly west, the actual 4-acre Safeway property extends a little east beyond the red borders.

Almost a year ago, Safeway parent Albertsons paid a bit over $25 million for the land it had long been ground leasing at 3020 N.E. 45th St., just east of University Village. (It already owned some other, smaller neighboring parcels.) The assembled and now roughly 4-acre Safeway property is also home to Burgermaster and much surface parking

In December, just before Christmas, LMC and Encore Architects filed plans for a new store with apartments on top — as had been rumored since the sale. It was known that developers were circling the property, but not who had the winning proposal. Some sort of future sale into a new joint venture or commercial condominium ownership has also been rumored.

KING TV first reported last week on the early outreach efforts, mandated by the city, for a 734-unit apartment plan. It includes two levels of structured parking with 614 stalls, and a new store.

The project would top out at eight stories. Above the podium parking level would be three linked apartment buildings, on a property zoned up to 75 feet.

Encore indicates that the project will pursue Built Green and/or LEED certification. That often overlaps with the city's Living Building Pilot Program, which grants extra floor area in exchange for various green features.

The plan, which hasn't yet entered design review, carries a nominal value of $95 million.

The new Safeway would have around 26,600 square feet — a little smaller than the now 47-year-old store. That plus the parking would yield a total project size of about 914,400 square feet. Some 600 bike stalls are also indicated.

Demolition of all structures is indicated. That includes an old warehouse on Union Bay Place Northeast, now a CrossFit gym, and the Burgermaster — a longtime favorite of all families in Laurelhurst and Ravenna. That building dates to 1960; the Jensen family established the business there in 1952, but never owned the land.

The Safeway assemblage doesn't include the FedEx and Wells Fargo complex on the corner, or the Ravenna Animal Hospital building. Its irregular shape means that final demolition plans are uncertain; and Encore will be faced with an odd project footprint.

The proposed redevelopment plan had been expected, and greatly resembles those for the Safeway stores on Queen Anne Hill, Capitol Hill and in the University District; and the Albertsons in Magnolia — though the latter is tentatively slated to be condominiums, not rentals.

Some still know LMC as Lennar Multifamily Communities. LMC is now nearing completion on its twin-tower, 548-unit Ovation on First Hill. It's also planning 194 units on Crown Hill, and 284 units near Marymoor Park in Redmond. Near the latter, and the planned light rail station, it's now building 450 units in the three-building Spectra. Both those projects, in what the city calls Marymoor Village, are being designed by Encore.