Design Review tonight, Fauntleroy Place presentation online now

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Top to bottom, those are the views of Fauntleroy Place‘s proposed new design – its east side facing 39th SW, west side and southwest corner along 40th SW, and its south side along SW Alaska. Site work has been under way for weeks now but the project’s back in Design Review because of changes; tonight’s Southwest Design Review Board meeting is at 8 pm at High Point Community Center (here’s a map), and the PDF of the presentation is on the city website now (see it here). It’s preceded by the 6:30 “early design guidance” meeting for the mixed-use building proposed in High Point at 35th/Graham; the presentation for that project is not online as of this writing .

10 Replies to "Design Review tonight, Fauntleroy Place presentation online now"

  • Scott August 14, 2008 (12:46 pm)

    Man, what’s with the bad earth tones and cheap retirement home look that WS and Seattle has been inundated with the past decade. I know, let’s slap a bunch of marble/granite looking material on the side *oh so classy* a real NW look don’t you know.
    Anyone been to the Pearl district in PDX, I know they have more to work with as far as old architecture and somewhat a clue for urban planning…but sheesh, this is the look we get?

  • MW August 14, 2008 (2:19 pm)

    Some comments:
    And sorry that I won’t be there tonight, but I’m sure many of you design review wonks will be!
    .
    A few big things…
    First, I think the design is much better than before. And I’m mainly referring to the “urban design” of the project, meaning, I think the way in which we (the collective we) interact with the building in the public realm, is better. Honestly, I’m not concerned with slate colors and window placement, but rather the big ideas of the building. The vehicular circulation has been concentrated into two areas, so fewer vehicle/pedestrian conflicts will occur. The mass of the building has been focused towards the busier, commercial streets and not towards the adjacent residential zones. And I like the two residential entries and the better retail entries that aren’t above or below grade.
    .
    Second, (this is a negative one…), the building still doesn’t interface with Alaska St. well, mostly a result of two big boxes with two fewer entries. PCC in Fremont sets a high bar with those cool roll-up doors, and I’ve mentioned this in the past. This is a bad part of the project and, coupled with the QFC project and Jefferson Square, reinforce a really bad streetfront on Alaska. A blown opportunity.
    .
    Lastly, I think some of the reason that people have been a little grumpy about the latest evolution of this project is that the changes that were made were things that were brought up at the very first design review meetings. I kinda feel like my (our) time and comments weren’t valued, and it took way too long for Bluestar and the design team(s) to “get it”. I’d love it, for some personal and community satisfaction, if the development team said “we should have paid more attention earlier on… sorry!”
    .
    Lastly (part two), I’m happy that Michael Dorcy and the DRB held Bluestar’s feet to the fire and called another DRB meeting. Even though we all want this thing to get built sooner rather than later (finally!), there is a meaningful process that needs to be respected and done right.
    .
    That’s it… have fun tonight, gang.
    Mark Wainwright

  • pam August 14, 2008 (4:00 pm)

    Wow,am I of two minds as a view these images.

    Mind 1: Well, hooray for urban density with a supermarket cornerstone. As much as Whole Foods doesn’t fit my less than whole budget, conceptually, I applaud the convergence of shopping and residential… um… stuff.

    Mind 2: Good lord, could they make us look ANY more like Bellevue? WTF?!

  • Krystal August 14, 2008 (6:26 pm)

    I totally agree with Pam. Barf on the design, it’s ugly and yes, it also looks like a retirement home. I can only hope that some of the other developments in the area aren’t as disgusting. This place could turn into a “Redmond Ridge” kind of area–5 different designs for buildings, 5 colors to choose from, and they try to trick you by putting doors in different areas so they don’t look cookie cutter. At least I can walk to a more quality grocery store now.

  • acemotel August 14, 2008 (9:34 pm)

    I still think the first version was the best, with a mix of textures and shapes. It finally evolved to a giant brick with few elevation changes or surface variations, which even the stone tile facing can’t disguise, as Scott mentioned.

  • Bobby Hadley August 14, 2008 (10:08 pm)

    Meetings this and design reviews that. I relish the day that the people become smart to the high price of so-called “smart growth” policies that Northwestern cities are so stuck on. Just build the goddang things.

  • grr August 14, 2008 (11:58 pm)

    I dont’ mind this at all..ok..I’d swap out the green/slate for brick, but other than that, it doesn’t bug me. Can’t go wrong with lots of brick.

  • grr August 15, 2008 (12:07 am)

    and..ok..can I ask a REALLY stupid question??? They’ve broken ground..they’re starting work…wouldn’t one ASSUME they’ve got blueprints to work from by now?? Why is there STILL design reviews?? I don’t get it…

  • WSB August 15, 2008 (1:04 am)

    We’ll be reiterating that in the full report on tonight. They made significant changes after the design that was approved by the board in public meetings. That required applying for a revised permit, and as part of that, the new design had to come in for review. The project’s footprint and massing isn’t changing much – but where the entrances and exits are, what materials are being used, how the units are being distributed, is changing. The work that is under way so far is what’s approved already – demolition and site prep.

  • grr August 15, 2008 (3:13 pm)

    thanks :) Looking forward to the next report. Stay cool :)

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