Design Review

Call to Action: Support 133 Homes in Magnolia at Upcoming Design Review

The all-volunteer West Design Review Board will hear about a project at 2550 32nd Ave W that would house new neighbors and bring an...

Three More Highrises Sprouting in the U District

A few months back The Urbanist wrote about The M, the first new highrise proposed for the U District since the upzone was approved....
A six story apartment rendered with white siding on the corners and brick in the middle.

Two Seattle QFC Redevelopments Run Into Concerns Around Height and Parking

Two housing projects -- one in Wedgwood and one in Capitol Hill -- are running into similar issues around tree retention, parking, and scale.

Harrell Proposes Design Review Exemption for Downtown Housing Projects

Mayor Harrell is hoping to activate downtown through greater housing development and his administration has proposed a design review exemption for qualifying housing and/or laboratory projects in the downtown core to encourage such growth.

City Council Approves Affordable Housing at Fort Lawton and Extends Showbox Moratorium

On Monday, the Seattle City Council took a big step in approving a rezone and development plan for the Fort Lawton site. The legislation...
The Grand Street Commons in Mount Baker was among the projects hoping to secure design review approval this year. (Credit: Lake Union Partners)

Council Passes Emergency Design Review Ordinance Easing Backlog

Last week, the Seattle City Council couldn't muster the votes to pass an emergency ordinance to keep design review moving during the pandemic era,...

Seeking Urbanist Applicants for Seattle Design Review Boards

Design review is currently under the microscope, with a stakeholder process evaluating the problems of housing delays and racial inequity. The Seattle City Council...
A rendering of the 19-story proposal with Belltown and Downtown skyline in the background.

Belltown Group Tries to Block Taller Buildings Downtown Over Birds

To prevent a 19-story apartment building long in the works, a group of Belltown residents are trying to stop code updates to Seattle's Living Building pilot program. The purported risk of bird deaths headline the group's laundry list of concerns.