Crystal Pool Skyscraper to be Built at The Crystal Pool Natatorium Site
Seattle, Washington — July 12, 2001 — Crystal Pool Inc. will begin construction late this fall on an ultra-modern 22-story condominium/office/ retail tower designed by Seattle architects Weber + Thompson. The firm is providing both architectural and interior design services for the project. The structure is designed to integrate with the existing Italian Renaissance façades of Seattle's Crystal Pool Natatorium at Second Avenue and Lenora Street in Belltown near the Pike Place Market. The mixed-use skyscraper will contain 192 up-scale condominium units over 77,000sf of office space and 7500sf of class 'A' retail space to be provided at street level. The project will likely accommodate a five-star restaurant. An 80' - 0" deep, seven-story sub-grade parking structure will accommodate 314 vehicles for both office and residential use.
Commissioned in 1913 by early Seattle dignitary C.D. Stimson, The Crystal Pool Natatorium was designed by theatre architect B. Marcus Priteca, a prominent West Coast theatre designer [Coliseum, Paramount, Orpheum and Pantages theatres]. The Crystal Pool showcases one of the more elaborate terra cotta façades in all of Seattle. Built in 1915, the ornate natatorium structure advertised "warm water ocean swimming" and became one of the most popular gathering spots in the city in the 1920's and 1930's, thanks to it's impressive size and strategic location.
According to Architect Blaine Weber, AIA, "The tower will be clad in a layered palette of elegant materials that will include Italian limestone, copper-toned metallic panels, and a monolithic blue glass curtain wall that reaches dramatically for the sky." Weber says "The big buzz word in architecture these days is sustainability. With this idea clearly in mind, the curtain wall systems in this project are quite remarkable." The Crystal Pool design team is working with Advanced Glazing Systems of Vancouver, BC to design a pressure-equalized system based on an Ensinger system for the stone, metal and glass curtain wall systems.
Steve Washburn, Crystal Pool Inc.'s managing partner says that "We did an astonishing amount of community outreach, and we then made some very substantial changes to the project in response to the input that we received. Our architects engaged the community into the design process through a series of open houses and meetings with various community members." Weber says that "We were fortunate to have Vancouver Urban Planner/Architect James Cheng on our design team in the early part of the design process to help us rethink the massing and exterior cladding." The design process evolved through a collaborative process with the downtown Design Review Board (DRB) that included no less than seven massing alternatives."
Washburn says that "The DRB's main concern was that this particular zone allows for very wide and 'chunky' buildings." The DRB was particularly concerned with the idea of reducing perceived bulk and mass in response to the fact that the site is located at a zone and height transition at the edge of Belltown. According to Weber, "In an effort to slenderize the tower, the final design is a carefully crafted composition of horizontal and vertical layers that break the mass into decidedly vertical elements."
One of the suggestions that came from community members was the idea of rebuilding a facsimile of the original dome at the corner of Second Avenue and Lenora Street, in an effort to unify the two façades. The dome will be replicated in abstract as a steel "pergola"-style structure. Washburn says that "We recognized early on that the existing Italian Renaissance façades were an icon for the community. Saving the façades is a very expensive proposition for us but it has generated some good will and the result is a much more interesting project."
Leslie Williams of Williams Marketing will market the project. Williams believes that "This building will raise the bar for condominium design in downtown Seattle. The new Crystal Pool will be located one block from the market and only steps away from the retail district. The project marries old world craftsmanship to a very stunning high rise tower constructed of elegant materials both inside and out." Williams and the Crystal Pool developer have worked very closely with Weber + Thompson on both the architectural and interior design of this project. Washburn says that "Leslie has exceptional knowledge of what makes for saleable unit plans, she is also instrumental in helping us ensure that our projects are targeted to the right market segment – in this case to appeal to a more sophisticated downtown buyer."
Cary Kopczynski is the structural engineer. Bush Roed & Hitchings is the civil engineer. MacDonald Miller is designing MEP systems, and Aztech Electric is responsible for electrical engineering. It is anticipated that the project will receive final permits in August and Crystal Pool Inc. has scheduled a construction start for late fall. Crystal Pool Inc. will serve as general contractor and is currently negotiating with a select list of subcontractors and suppliers. Construction is expected to take 24 months to complete.
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About Weber + Thompson
Seattle-based Weber + Thompson is a full-service, West Coast architectural and interior design firm, managed by principals Blaine Weber, AIA, Scott Thompson, AIA, and Kristen Scott, AIA. The firm is comprised of an experienced staff of 42 design and construction professionals. Founded in 1987, Weber + Thompson's practice is diverse, with architectural and interior design project types including high-density urban infill, residential, commercial office, hospitality, and financial facilities. The firm has particular expertise in complex mixed-use and high-rise projects, winning various awards for their excellence in planning and design. Weber + Thompson seeks effective results through a thoughtful and collaborative design process. For more information visit www.weberthompson.com, contact Weber + Thompson by phone at (206) 344 5700 or email info@weberthompson.com.