Second Design Review meeting set for 1307 Harbor Avenue SW project on ex-Alki Tavern site, almost two years after the first

| Development | West Seattle news

That’s the latest draft rendering for 1307 Harbor Avenue SW, the mixed-use project planned for what is currently about a half-block of shuttered, fenced off vacant buildings including the former Alki Tavern, across from Don Armeni Boat Ramp. The tavern already had been closed a year by the time the proposed mixed-use project had its first Southwest Design Review Board meeting in April of 2014 – and now, more than a year and a half later, the date is finally set for its next one. In our coverage of that first meeting, the project was described as including 21 residential units and 41 underground parking spaces; now it’s described as including 15 residential units and 27 parking spaces “within the structure.” It’s also still proposed for “retail, restaurant, office, and light manufacturing” space, the same non-residential uses as mentioned before. Here’s the draft of the packet for the meeting, with more details on the plan:

The project has ~~changed~~ architects – the packet shows Rhodes Architecture & Light, a West Seattle-based firm, as “architect of record,” while Miller-Hull was the architect at the time of the 2014 review. The upcoming review meeting is scheduled for 6:30 pm Thursday, January 21st, at the Sisson Building in The Junction (California/Oregon).

ADDED WEDNESDAY: See the comment from Tim Rhodes with clarification of the two architecture firms’ roles.

cjboffoli December 8, 2015 (2:42 pm)

Love the elegant design. So much better than the dreck it is replacing.

Mark December 8, 2015 (3:08 pm)

Very nice project.

Hainsworth December 8, 2015 (3:29 pm)

The site only looks like dreck because the owners booted the tavern and then let it sit vacant. The Alki Tavern, when it was open, was a beautiful place. RIP

John December 8, 2015 (3:38 pm)

That’s a good looking structure. I’m glad to see it’s not a solid square structure running straight up from the sidewalk.

Ed Chrisman December 8, 2015 (4:01 pm)

Are the residential units Apartments or condos?

West Seattle Hipster December 8, 2015 (4:10 pm)

Agreed Hainsworth, agreed.

And the soulless gentrification of West Seattle continues ……….

Rick December 8, 2015 (4:48 pm)

Gawd,I love having enough money to destroy history.

Deb Barker December 8, 2015 (5:27 pm)

I was at the April 2014 EDG meeting. I have to say that the Miller-Hull design packet was one of the best presentations that I had ever seen at SW Design Review meetings. Their massing studies reflected three different and logical designs, and they truly analyzed the site. My hope is that the new architect can build on the exceptional work presented by by Miller Hull. (FWIW -I do not work for Miller Hull. It’s just that when I see above average design work, I tend to get hopeful that it will really be built).

WSB December 8, 2015 (5:34 pm)

@Ed – the draft packet says “residential apartments” but I note that it’s with the original project description and not the updated description featured on the DPD website, so we can’t assume…

JayDee December 8, 2015 (5:51 pm)

One wonders what “light manufacturing” would mean in the context of Alki Ave, next to summer cruising central. I notice none of the “meeples” have curtains or shades. I know it is because they are all fashionable…

wetone December 8, 2015 (5:56 pm)

1307 Harbor Ave SW

“Land Use Application to allow a 7-story structure with 15 residential units, above retail, restaurant, office and light manufacturing in an environmentally critical area. Parking for 27 vehicles to located within the structure. Existing structures to be removed.”

So you have a 79,000sqft building with 15 units and 27 parking spots…. well that’s parking for the 15 units. How about parking for the rest of the buildings 50k sqft ? including retail, restaurant, office and light manufacturing ? Where are the tenants/employees and customers going to park ? Street is already full year around from foot ferry and park users. Can have parking for one or the other but not both. One more great example of DPD and city with zero common sense. City invests in new foot ferry then take accessibility away. So Seattle………

Rick December 8, 2015 (9:00 pm)

I bartended at the Embers. So much more West Seattle sacrilege. Great comment wetone.

h December 8, 2015 (10:06 pm)

Oooohhhh! Nice!

wb December 8, 2015 (11:07 pm)

Gorgeous!

Born on Alki 59 December 9, 2015 (6:08 am)

And to think the Alki tavern could still be open…bummer.
Wetone nailed it, this will kill foot ferry parking and will likely be the death of the boat launch as we know it.

Tim Rhodes December 9, 2015 (11:05 am)

This is an elegant building of quality materials that will give back to
the public and community through retail, restaurant, proposed public amenities that are accessible to the entire public, a hill-climb stair and an overlook connecting California Way SW and Harbor Avenue, and much more.

The design Architect continues to be The Miller Hull Partnership, with the local Architect, Rhodes Architecture + Light, providing production and coordination.

Parking is planned to meet all code requirements. The overall building design has not changed significantly from the original propel presented in February 2014 and received very warmly buy the Design Review Board and the public.

WSB December 9, 2015 (11:08 am)

Thanks, Tim. Will add the notation above.

Fiwa Jcbbb December 9, 2015 (12:44 pm)

I too greatly miss The Alki Tav and The Embers, but…Who are you people saying this yet another example of our current trend of s***chitecture is “Elegant”, and how long have you been working for the firm that designed it? Dull, utilitarian, done on the cheap, and with a level of “elegance” that has Frank Lloyd Wright spinning in his grave. Alki doesn’t have much for West Seattleites anymore. :(

Matt December 9, 2015 (9:23 pm)

Great to see a quality class “a” type project slated for that site. Welcome addition to the neighborhood in my view and nice to see that level of design and quality put forth.

Big change from the standard 3 level slim box townhomes that are being built everywhere else by developers. Of late the “broken window theory” has held true with the vacancy/abandonment of the existing buildings and bummer those structures could not have been occupied longer.

WTF December 9, 2015 (10:34 pm)

And, even sadder is the fact it’s not American money!!! All hale the kings of Asia!

Bill December 10, 2015 (12:44 pm)

3 Points:

1) “– in an environmentally critical area.” If this is an environmentally CRITICAL area – why is this thing being built???

2) From Born on Alki: “Wetone nailed it, this will kill foot ferry parking and will likely be the death of the boat launch as we know it.” This is most likely one of the long range plans – they are and have been using every scam they can come up with over the last 30 years to screw over Elliot Bay fishing – they ruined the boathouse years ago!

3) From WTF: “And, even sadder is the fact it’s not American money!!! All hale the kings of Asia!”

And not an eggroll in sight!

AL December 11, 2015 (3:14 pm)

So sad. And there are more to come. West Seattle is losing its soul.

Steve December 11, 2015 (6:44 pm)

1. If a German bought the Yen Wor building up the hill for redevelopment would you run for the kleenex as well, while perhaps arguing for historical designation and making derogatory references to bratwust? (Perhaps not as it is a chinese restaurant. ha ha..)

2. The area around Don Armeni is no more intended to serve as a park and ride for the Water Taxi than the Junction is for the C line bus.

3. Critical area = partially built into hillside. Many more upfront engineering hours and lots more $$ to build. Commonplace throughout the city.

Sorry, comment time is over.