Seattle University's Big Plans for 12th and Madison

The 6-way intersection of 12th Ave, Madison St. and Union St, on the Southern edge of Capitol Hill, is set to change dramatically over the coming years. Just in the past week, two much anticipated bars, The Pony and Tavern Law, have opened around the intersection and Trace Lofts' huge corner commercial space could see a tenant any day now. In addition, two substantial development projects are slated to begin construction very soon: 1222 E. Madison (whose permit was just today conditionally granted) and  1111 E. Union (Design Review info coming soon). For years the Southwest corner of the intersection has been a formidable concrete warehouse with few windows and little pedestrian access, a testament to the neighborhood's industrial past. But as the area around it transforms into one of Capitol Hill's most exciting new destination spots, this building could turn out to be the huge cherry on this intersection pie.

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According to the Seattle Historic Survey, the warehouse was originally built in 1910 and took advantage of Madison St.'s wide thoroughfare to downtown and the waterfront. In 1971 the building was purchased by REI and used as a storage facility for its main store a few blocks away (in what is now Value Village). In 1985 the building was sold to Seattle University and was turned into a self storage facility, which it remains to this day.

Well, back in April at Capitol Hill Housing's Future of 12th Ave Forum, Michel Kerns, SU's Associate Vice President of Facilities, alluded to development of this property by saying, "Let's just say that storage will not be the ultimate use for that site."

I followed up with Mr. Kerns via email about this project he informed me that the University had conducted a preliminary study of the site in 2007 to address "needs for academic space and housing". According to Kerns:

 

The study suggested that the university add three floors to the existing 5 story structure:

 

Floor 1 (street level) - retail and main entrance

Floors 2-5 -  [student] housing

Floors 6-7 - academic space (classrooms and facility offices)

Floor 8 - conference and meeting room space

In addition, Kerns said that the project was aimed at improving the streetscape and the University's interaction with the community. Kerns wrote that, "this will be the most important future SU project in terms of neighborhood redevelopment. This will be a signature facility for the university" (emphasis added).

And no doubt Seattle University intends to make this a stand out project. The study was conducted by Seattle's most prominent architecture firm, Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects. The firm has won over 65 regional and national awards and was named the American Institute of Architects Firm of the Year in 2009 (see also, 1111 E. Pike). Kerns also said that the project was designed for LEED Gold and includes a green roof, solar paneling, and passive/natural ventilation.

And now for the moment you have all been waiting for, a rendering of the proposed building:

Photo Courtesy of OSKA Architects

Sadly the building will not meet its 2011 construction target but Kerns said the building should be, "completed in the 2013 - 2015 range". In the meantime Kerns said they are looking into activating the streetscape by enhancing the building's street level uses.

And a final note: If you're wondering why this project hasn't been on DPD's radar, major institutions (such as university's, hospitals, etc.) are not required to go through the design review process and are exempt from formal zoning requirements. Instead they must go through a Master Planning Process with the city. This particular building was planned in Phase I of SU's 2006 Facilities Master Plan, a plan that set the foundation for the Major Institution Master Plan which SU is updating right now.