March 9, 2026

Gensler out, Encore in, with 292 Kirkland units now dubbed Witt

Renderings by Encore Architects [enlarge]

Encore is now designing the Totem Lake project, with the offices gone and the height reduced.

Four years ago in Totem Lake, MainStreet Property Group assembled an apartment development site for about $18.6 million.

Architect Gensler was then already at work on a 313-unit mixed-use building dubbed Swyft. On a site tucked between the Village at Totem Lake and EvergreenHealth Medical Center, Swyft was also to include about 53,000 square feet of medical offices.

The city of Kirkland granted SEPA approval and endorsed the design in 2022.

Things have changed. The address has shifted slightly to 12713 120th Ave. N.E. Encore Architects is now designing what's been rebranded as Witt, with the offices gone and the height reduced. On a sloping site, it's now a mostly eight-story building with about 292 units. (The old plan was for a nominal 16 stories.) Above the lower concrete base and parking levels, with 329 stalls, construction is to be entirely Type III-A wood … as opposed to more costly concrete for the prior medical offices.

As before, the builder is to be MainStreet's sister company, GenCap Construction. The revised Witt project went into city design review last month; there's not yet been a public presentation for the proposal. The old SEPA approval likely still applies.

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MainStreet rates the new project at 387,760 square feet, including a lounge, amenities and possibly retail.

MainStreet rates the new Witt project at 387,760 square feet, including parking, amenities and possibly a little retail. LEED Gold certification will be sought. The affordable residential component will total 29 units. MainStreet says of Witt, “The project will bring a myriad of amenities of its own in the form of sustainable materials and design features, a state-of-the-art fitness area and luxurious lounges.”

[enlarge]

The revised Witt project went into city design review last month; there's not yet been a public presentation for the proposal.

The new Witt team also includes Atwell, landscape architect and civil engineer; Erin Brodhead Creative, interiors; PCS Structural Solutions, structural; and Bee Engineers, envelope and LEED consultant.

Demolition permits are in process for a pair of small old office buildings. MainStreet's 1.5-acre site is but steps from the Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, cinema and many shops at the Village at Totem Lake. Also walkable is the planned Totem Lake/Kingsgate station for the Stride S2 fast bus line, where Northeast 128th Street meets the freeway.