Architecture

The mass timber framework is visible on a six-story office building as a tower crane lowers a siding panel into place.

Harrell Proposes Design Review Moratorium, Interim Legislation Complying with State Mandate

On Tuesday, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell rolled out a package of design review reforms intended to speed up homebuilding and comply with a state deadline that is fast approaching. The mayor has proposed a six-month pause on design review requirements to ensure state compliance in time and provide a transition to the overhauled, leaner system.
The skinny modern eight-story towers peeks out between two trees.

Op-Ed: Building Code Changes to Promote Better Multifamily Housing in Seattle

Urban planner Markus Johnson proposes a series of building code changes that would provide more desirable and accessible multifamily housing at a more reasonable construction cost than most current multifamily development in Seattle.

The Deck is Stacked Against Stacked Flats in Seattle

Once plentiful across the city, small apartment buildings with flats stacked on top of one another are incredibly rare in new construction. The reasons behind that are multifaceted, and stemming the tide will take a push on multiple levels of government.
The domed Olympia Capitol Building stands in the distance with a bus stop with a passenger waiting in the foreground. A dogwalker also mosey on the lawn.

Washington Legislature Wants to Rein In Historic Landmarking to Spur Housing

In Seattle, any person can nominate just about any building for historic landmark status — even without the consent of the building owner — which can delay or upend housing projects. The Washington State Legislature is advancing legislation that would place guardrails on historic landmark programs.
Four residents sit in a L couch in a lounge well-lit by natural light.

The Case for Converting Vacant Offices to Congregate Housing

A new study found co-living congregate housing could spur conversions of vacant offices, which are much costlier to convert to conventional housing. It could also return Seattle to its affordable single-room occupancy roots.

Builders Continue Pivot to Housing in Downtown Bellevue

In shift away from office and toward housing growth, Downtown Bellevue's development pipeline has seen nearly 4,000 additional homes proposed and more than two million square feet of office space abandoned in just the last couple of years. Once built, the pipeline of 14,000 homes would more than double the population of downtown.

Seattle Architects Unveil Designs for Social Housing Ahead of February Vote

New renderings, created by Neiman Taber Architects, present a vision for voters of what publicly-funded social housing would look like in Seattle. A dedicated funding source for social housing is on the ballot in February via Prop 1A.

Seattle Breaks Ground on West Coast’s First Residential Highrise of 2024

As a new 45-story apartment tower goes up at the Elephant Car Wash site, Seattle is building apartments at a rapid pace – but a slump may be on the way.