Here is a look at the future of 23rd and Union.
And — this time — it’s the near future. After years of delays and waiting it out through the economic downturn, the 92-unit mixed-use building on the southwest corner of the intersection will finally break ground late this summer. We wrote about new signs of life for the project earlier this year as the land and approved plans for the project were acquired in a $2.3 million deal. Meanwhile, Capitol Hill Housing has plans for an affordable apartment project on the northeast side of the intersection.
Here’s an update on the project backed by developer Lake Union Partners:
As you probably know we are moving forward with the development at the corner of 23rd and Union in the Central District. The site was formerly owned by Jim Mueller (we closed on the property in late December) and we are planning to start construction this August on the 92-unit mixed-use apartment building with approximately 4,000sf of retail and 74 underground parking stalls at the southwest corner of 23rd Ave E & E Union St.
The property was once the earthquake-damaged Colman Building which has since been demolished by the previous owner. The site remained vacant for a number of years as it underwent environmental remediation which was completed at the end of last year. We have advanced the previously approved master use permit completed by Mithun Architects to construction drawings with a specific focus on improving the street and pedestrian experience at the retail level, which when completed in the fall of 2014 will complement the revitalization and infill redevelopment that has been seen from 20th to 25th Avenues along East Union Street.
Given the momentum in the community led by the City’s current effort with the 23rd Ave Action Plan, which is looking to create guidelines and a community vision for the future of the street’s most active areas, we expect this project to highlight the beginning of future redevelopment plans at the intersection of 23rd & Union. We believe that our project will be a good example of the appropriate density for the core of this neighborhood. We are also working with neighboring land owners to assess the feasibility of a rezone to match the same zoning to allow for continued investment in housing and quality neighborhood retail.
woohoo! finally!
Gee. Yea. I live 3 blocks away and I relish the afternoons coming home and not having to deal with the downtown construction. Now I’m sure the construction crews will shut down half of Union, tear up the streets (and not repair them), and generally disrupt the neighborhood as they please.
Hideous building. So tired of that “style” (uh, it has none).
I’ve seen prettier, but it beats a weed-filled lot and sketchy people hanging around. More life at this intersection can only be an improvement over status quo, even if the bldg design doesn’t win any creativity awards.
I went to a number of the design review and neighborhood meetings for this project. I think it is actually pretty nice looking, there are townhouse style units on the west end, so it feels residential. It looks clean and urban, unlike much of what happens in town. I’ll also add that the neighborhood “design” meddling did not make this project look better; the original design was more attractive.
I’m really looking forward to this project being built and the retail occupied .. can’t wait for a nice place to eat just down the street.
I have to wonder though… Capitol Hill is full of “six stories with ground floor retail”. And most of that ground floor retail is empty. Everywhere you look we see another building with six stories and more retail space that will be hard to fill. How much “ground floor retail” do we need? There’s a glut already, and it doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere.
I wouldn’t say there is an excess of available retail around the Hill and this project is in the CD where there are NO available storefronts because there are so few
If anybody recalls the old 23rd and Union in the 80’s…change is good!
I like the cubist style of the building. I guess it’s all a matter of one’s own personal tastes.