February 7, 2024

Belltown's 14-story modular condos nearing first review

Renderings by Epstein [enlarge]

Looking roughly south, Clay is at right.

Polish developer Cavatina confirmed its intent last August to buy and redevelop the Lighting Supply corner at 2729 Second Ave. in Belltown. Architect Epstein, of Chicago, is designing the 14-story, 147-modular condominium project.

An initial design review is likely in the next few months. The DJC first reported the plan, then thought to be rentals, at the very end of 2022.

The corner, at Clay Street, offers 12,960 square feet, with zoning up to 145 feet. Above that height would be two large roof decks and an enclosed amenity area. The building's absolute height would be 160 feet above Second.

At grade, 5,279 square feet is planned for retail or restaurant use. One level of underground parking would have 17 stalls, and owners would have 160 bike stalls.

[enlarge]

A large restaurant bay is indicated for the prominent corner.

Apartments, in identical stacks, would run from one- to two-bedrooms, with sizes not yet specified. Some would have inset terraces. Setbacks at the sixth and seventh floors would also create terraces.

Epstein, new to our market, estimates a size above grade at some 146,612 square feet.

Cavatina's team also includes ESM Consulting Engineers, surveyor; Site Workshop, landscape architect; Coughlin Porter Lundeen, the presumptive structural engineer; TenW, traffic consultant; and Cushman & Wakefield, broker and advisor. Coates Design, of Bainbridge Island, may still be the local architect of record.

Cavatina has said it plans to ship the modules here from its plant in Poland. The developer and Epstein also have a very preliminary proposal for a concert hall on Bainbridge Island, facing Eagle Harbor. Several land sales would be required for that plan to proceed.

In Belltown, that corner's longtime family owners are represented by Century Pacific's Michael Finch and Katherine Kramer Laird. The property was listed two years ago for $10 million. No sale has been recorded yet.

Assuming a future master use permit and land sale, the project would be a near neighbor to 303 Battery St., where Sustainable Living Innovations is nearing completion on its 15-story apartment project — with a “kit of parts” construction method that's akin to modular.