Colman Tower Apartment Project Gets a Green Light
The Seattle Downtown Design Review Board unanimously approved the Colman Tower apartment project on December 14th – this will be the first of 2,000 units that developer John Goodman plans to build in the Seattle Area.
December 16, 2010; Seattle, WA: As the housing market begins to recover from the worst recession in many decades, one trend stands out: there is a massive shift away from homeownership and into rental housing.
To capitalize on this trend, Developer John Goodman is forging ahead with Colman Tower, a decidedly modern 16-story, 208-unit, high-rise apartment project that received unanimous City of Seattle Design Review Board Approval on December 14th. Colman Tower will be constructed on a prime site near the waterfront above the Colman Ferry Dock and adjacent to the pedestrian bridge that connects the Ferry Terminal to First Avenue.
Goodman says this the first of 1200 apartment units that he plans to build in the downtown core [and 2000 in the greater Seattle area] to take advantage of what he believes “will be a significant demand for apartment units, driven by Gen Y and Echo Boomers seeking housing in the supply that has been constrained due to very tight construction lending”. Goodman agrees with market prognosticators, that there is a window of opportunity due to the fact that vacancy rates have dropped significantly, and the projected demand for apartments is expected to be very significant going forward.
In fact, Colman Tower is a front runner to fill demand that local housing market expert Brian O’Connor says “will be in the neighborhood of 8,000 units by 2012”. Mike Scott of Dupre + Scott is even more optimistic, predicting that “the greater Seattle area comprising three counties will see demand to the tune of 60,000 apartments in the next five years.”
To create more affordable price points, the apartment units in Colman Tower are compact, averaging slightly over 700 square feet. Over 60% of the units are NY Loft style “open” one bedrooms, with exposed concrete ceilings, wood floors, and mechanical systems revealed. Some “micro apartments” ranging from 350-400 SF are available on the parking levels, which creates an edgy living option while at the same time activating the above ground parking levels.
The First of a “New Generation of Apartments”
According to Architect Blaine Weber of Weber Thompson, “Colman Tower is the first of a new generation of apartment towers, designed specifically towards younger, ‘creative-class’ knowledge workers who want to live and “hive” in the city center, far away from the car-centric suburbs”. Weber says “this is not your father’s apartment project; it represents a new emerging lifestyle”.
To the point: Colman Tower will offer a substantial amenity package which is also geared toward this young, hip market. The entire top floor of the building is dedicated to lush common amenities which will be available ‘24-7’ to all residents. Up at the top of the tower where the views of Elliot Bay are the most spectacular, amenities will include an over-sized party lounge with fireplace and media, a fitness studio, yoga room, lounge/library/business center, Xbox/theater room, and generous game room that will include a bar, pool tables, poker tables, and a lounge. The huge wrap-around garden terrace will contain a reflecting pool where residents can lounge by the water, BBQ stations and a dog run.
Modern, Contextual Design
According to Weber, the 16-story Colman Tower “will be clad in an elegant glass and terra cotta curtain wall manufactured by Walters + Wolf. The terra cotta elements are responsive to the historical context and relate the smaller–scale neighboring buildings”. This contextual relationship is an important factor in the neighborhood as this is the most significant addition to Western Avenue in many years. An adjacent stair and elevator structure links the pedestrian bridge – and 1st Avenue, mass transit and greater Seattle downtown – with Post and Western Avenues where GRE hopes to create a new commercial zone with the feeling of Post Alley, on Post Avenue. The building is held back to relieve this slender street and create an active retail / pedestrian zone with festoon lighting strung between Colman Tower and the neighboring Colman Building. This illumination creates a sense of canopy and an active outdoor space with a festive atmosphere. Retail space is featured along Colman Tower’s entire Western Avenue frontage. These are high quality spaces with 20 foot high ceilings and large glass panes creating inviting storefront entries.
Project Team
Developer: Goodman Real Estate;
Architecture, Interior Design & Landscape Architecture: Weber Thompson
Structural Engineer: MKA, Seattle
Contractor: Turner Construction
Note: High resolution images available upon request
About Goodman Real Estate
Founded in 1990 by John Goodman, Goodman Real Estate, Inc. (GRE) is a leading privately held real estate investment company specializing in multifamily and commercial real estate. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, GRE maintains a diversified portfolio through PRMC family of companies of quality commercial property investments across the United States and Canada. With a market value of over $2.5 billion, this portfolio spans the spectrum of risk-adjusted investments: multifamily construction; hotels and resorts; office and retail buildings; land development; and structured investments. John Goodman’s assets include approximately 40,000 apartment units, 2.5 million square feet of office and retail space, three golf courses, and five luxury hotels, as well as development land.
About Weber Thompson
Weber Thompson is a highly diversified design agency with capabilities in four complementary disciplines: Architecture, Interior design, Community and Urban Design and Landscape Architecture. With special attention to its clients’ vision and the environment, as well as careful collaboration between client and design/construction teams, Weber Thompson’s primary objective is to design exceptional, sustainable projects that help its clients find success in the urban environment. For more information, visit www.weberthompson.com or contact Weber Thompson at (206) 344-5700 or info@weberthompson.com.