Creating an Affordable Version of Trendy in Seattle
Seattle, Washington — October 28, 2002 — Responding to the lack of affordable, hip living space in Seattle, due to the dot.com burst and still-skyrocketing real estate market, Solara – a dynamic, mixed-use, 238-unit project – has burst onto the scene. Located in north Seattle, Solara re-creates Seattle's famously trendy, yet hugely expensive and anonymous Belltown neighborhood, with a hip, sophisticated and urbane design. However, Solara bucks the Belltown trend by featuring refreshingly affordable rents and a community atmosphere. These elements have successfully attracted those young professionals who are looking for a living situation that matches the fashionable identity they are trying to create within their restricted salaries.
"Our market research for this development revealed a gap in the market, specifically for younger renters trying to create an urban lifestyle," states Greg Arms, Senior Vice President at Simpson Housing. "By working closely with our architects and marketing teams, we created a project that speaks directly to the target market. The results have been extraordinary with quick rentals in an especially hard economic environment."
Weber + Thompson of Seattle, designed Solara with an eye towards selling the overall concept of young, hip, urban, community living. The development is deliberately broken into multiple buildings that are highly modulated and swathed in royal blue and sunflower yellow cladding. A landscaped garden sits at the heart of Solara, featuring a fountain surrounded by sunburst inlay paving. This recreation area encourages interaction between residents, creating a family-like atmosphere rarely found in large apartment developments. Solara's community park also features grills for a summer barbeque, and quiet corners to reflect, read and meet other residents.
"The space is utilized as a mini park: an internal, semi-private environ comprised of usable gathering space," states Kristen Scott AIA, partner at Weber + Thompson. "The courtyard creates a view for the units that face internally and, best of all, this works to establish a sense of place and community."
The public space of the courtyard extends to the buildings where 10,000sf has been set aside for different community activities. There is a mini-theater with a large screen TV and surround sound for movie nights, sports events and parties. A lounge with a fireplace is designated for relaxing and resident interaction, as is the game room, which sports billiards, air hockey, arcade games and darts. Club Solara, a fitness facility, is also available to residents who can take advantage of its weights, cardio equipment, spa, sauna, tanning area and resistance-wave swimming pool.
The apartments are designed to allow the residents to live and entertain comfortably. For those who could only afford a studio, short, half-walls separate a small sleeping area from the rest of the apartment, giving the impression of a one-bedroom. This allows residents to maintain their sophisticated image, entertain in their apartment without maneuvering around a bed, and still stay within their budget. Oversized windows let added light to the apartments, and for some units, display good views of Mt. Rainier and the Seattle skyline. Rents run from $800 to $1750. For more information about Solara, a web site is available at www.solaraseattle.com.
Project Partners
The project team for Solara consists of Weber + Thompson, architecture and interior design, Chris Golden, Project Manager, Donna Shuman, Interior Designer, with The Design Firm (Denver); Simpson Housing Limited Partnership, project owner/developer; WG Clark, construction manager/builder; Stateside Power, electrical engineering; D'Amato Conversano, structural engineer; Ocean Park Mechanical, mechanical engineering; TRA and Suzman Design, landscape architecture.
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About Weber + Thompson
Seattle-based Weber + Thompson is a full-service, West Coast design firm specializing in architecture, interior design and planning. Led by Principals Blaine Weber AIA, Scott Thompson AIA, and Kristen Scott AIA, this award-winning company has an experienced staff of 40 design and construction professionals. Since 1987 Weber + Thompson has developed a diverse practice with projects that include high rises, high-density urban infill, residential, hospitality, financial facilities, and commercial office projects. Weber + Thompson seeks effective results through a thoughtful and collaborative design process. For more information please visit our web site, www.weberthompson.com, or contact Weber + Thompson at (206) 344-5700 or lholland@weberthompson.com.