Here’s one way to get small retail spaces included in Capitol Hill’s new projects. In their latest designs for a 16-story apartment tower and Whole Foods, developers have repurposed a bike storage area for a small retail space on the corner of Harvard and Spring.
The change was made in response to a November design review meeting where board members raised concerns that a bike storage area would not be welcoming to pedestrians. The bike stalls were moved to a different part of the building.
There are no details yet on a potential tenant for the 760-square-foot space, which will pale in comparison to the nearly 50,000 square foot, two-story space Whole Foods will occupy once the project is complete. But it could be a new commercial opportunity for some aspiring entrepreneur, nonetheless.
It’s been almost a year since the design review board first saw plans for the 16-story apartment tower at Madison and Broadway. On Wednesday, developers behind the project will take what could be their last turn before the board.
1001 Broadway
View Design Proposal (6 MB)
Review Meeting: January 13, 2016, 6:30pm, Seattle University, 901 12th Ave, PIGT -Pigott 304 Classroom
Review Phase: REC–Recommendation See All Reviews
Project Number: 3019050 View Permit Status | View Land Use Notice
Planner: Lindsay King
Plans from developer Columbia Pacific Advisors and architects Tiscareno Associates call for 265 residential units and 358 below grade parking spaces. The project will require demolition of the existing three-story medical office. Columbia estimates work on the site will start by early summer and the entire project will be complete in mid-2018.
A representative from Whole Foods tells CHS the store is on track to open during the first quarter of 2018. Whole Foods is planning a standard format store, but customizes its offerings of prepared and made-to-order foods for each location. Whole Foods is currently studying the restaurant and grocery competition in the area, said the company representative, and will conduct direct surveys closer to opening to determine what customers want from the store.
Architects made a few other design changes ahead of Wednesday’s meeting. Additional stone was addd to the Madison-facing facade to create greater separation between the Whole Foods and residential entrance, and the building’s “corner roof brow” was extended for some extra flair.
In its announcement of the project, Columbia cited the coming First Hill Streetcar line and proximity to First Hill’s hospitals and nearby Seattle University as important factors in choosing the Broadway and Madison location. The developers acquired the property in 2008 for $21 million, according to King County Records.
I can’t read this news about a new Whole Foods coming without thinking of SoDoSoPa and Shi Tpa Town.
???
South Park reference – last season they had episodes about gentrification including having a Whole Foods store moving in to the town.
NOOOOOOOOOOO
NEW DEVELOPMENTS NEED APPROPRIATE BIKE STORAGE AREAS AND SHOULD BE REQUIRED BY DPD.
Tenants need first/ground floor bike lockers where they can safely and easily store their bikes.
“The bike stalls were moved to a different part of the building.”
ok good. phew
Why should non-biking tenants subsidize your storage? Store it in your own living space and make the bike storage area a parklet.
Why don’t you try storing a bike in your 325 square foot $1300/month apt. If I can’t have a car, I want a bike and for $1300/month I don’t want to use it as a pillow when I go to sleep at night.
Bike storage IS required, they’re just moving its location within the building.
Ugh, imagine if a project like this was built next to the new billion dollar station we’ve built?
Soon enough, Zach L, soon enough…
Not soon enough! :/
stop ruining capitol hill for us eastsider!!
How would a tall building with an awesome anchor building “ruin” capitol hill?