West Seattle development: 1307 Harbor SW project closer to construction at ex-Alki Tavern site

(Rendering from final design packet for 1307 Harbor SW project)

Almost four years have elapsed since the Alki Tavern closed, with its former building and others in the 1300 block of Harbor Avenue SW deteriorating behind a construction fence. The mixed-use project planned for the site got final Design Review approval almost a full year ago. You might be wondering what’s taking so long before work gets going at the site.

There is progress to report – today’s city-circulated Land Use Information Bulletin included this notice of two more approvals for the project, currently described on the city website as “a 6-story structure containing 15 residential units above retail, restaurant, office and custom and craft work in an environmentally critical area,” with offstreet parking for 27 vehicles. (The “craft work” was described during the Design Review process as “design prototyping … (for a) garment manufacturer.”)

But city notices don’t answer the question of “when will work start?” – so, after seeing today’s notice, we contacted a member of the project team, West Seattle architect Tim Rhodes, to ask about the project status. His reply:

The Master Use Permit has been published and we are in the process of getting final permit forms from/to the City of Seattle. We hope to start construction once the final building permits and utility and street use permits are issued.

The process is slow due to on-going construction volume in Seattle. Our client very much wants to have permission to demolish the existing structures and clean up the site to eliminate the old structures, graffiti and remove the illegal occupants who continue to occupy the structures despite all measures taken to make the existing building off-limits.

His firm Rhodes Architecture and Light and Miller Hull Partnership have been working together on the project. We first reported the project site’s sale to Korea-based YMSA Co. Ltd. in January 2013, months before the project proposal itself appeared in city files.

John January 9, 2017 (11:53 am)

I’ll never understand how buildings with such large window surface areas pass the Energy Code requirements?! Windows have such a low R-value.

It looks to much like an older 60’s style concrete building to me…at least the top section does.

Chuck January 9, 2017 (12:41 pm)

Totally agree–that outdated look reminds me of my friend’s old place at Leschi–the Shangri-La apparments right on the water. Hard to tell in the photo if these even have decks, or if the glass goes right to the front of the “box.” Just feels like something you’d expect to see in Miami, not Seattle.
- WSB January 9, 2017 (1:02 pm)
  
  If you are interested in a closer look at the design (which we covered in the linked story on the second and final Design Review meeting a year ago), the packet is still here, including a couple views of the planned hillclimb between Harbor in front of the building and California Way behind it. http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3015628AgendaID5719.pdf
cjboffoli January 9, 2017 (1:51 pm)

Clearly (pun unintended) the windows are arranged to take maximum advantage of the stunning bay and city views. Miller Hull designed the Bullitt Center so it is safe to say they know a little something about super-efficient glass curtain walls.

K'lo January 9, 2017 (11:54 am)

Are the new rodent abatement rules being applied to this project? If not, the condos near by might want to be prepared for the invasion!

Tony S January 9, 2017 (3:08 pm)

They really need to have flaming gas torches over the front door, to beckon back to The Embers (that used to stand on that site)…

West Sea Neighbor January 9, 2017 (4:19 pm)

Love the breezeway concept. I wonder what kind of “bistro” this building will be able to attract?

wetone January 10, 2017 (5:29 pm)

“”” 6-story structure containing 15 residential units above retail, restaurant, office and custom and craft work in an environmentally critical area,” with offstreet parking for 27 vehicles”””

Well that should make parking situation interesting for those using foot ferry for commuting.

Nancy R January 11, 2017 (8:11 pm)

Miller Hull is a leading Seattle architectural firm, and our own West Seattle based Tim Rhodes is creative and experienced as well. This is a much more interesting design than your typical west seattle rectangle. Nice!

John Justbe January 15, 2017 (10:10 am)

I would totally sell my house and move in. Great location, great view, quiet are most of the year and sheltered from the wind for the most part. Alki is changing fast and this is just the next step. Unfortunately we have trained, hired and now employ architects that just draw boxes and call it a day. All in all I think this is a step up from the run down Alki Tavern days.

ltfd January 15, 2017 (7:04 pm)

It’s unfortunate, and dangerous too, that the City of Seattle won’t let property owners demolish buildings in a timely manner- vagrancy, vermin, and derelict buildings are the result.

dawsonct January 16, 2017 (8:55 am)

What’s REALLY unfortunate, is the Alki had to close at least four years before necessary.

Craig January 16, 2017 (2:19 pm)

Any architects out there who can comment on how much a design tends to change between “rendering from final design packet” and what is actually built? I have a hunch the design is 90% locked at this point but it would be interesting to see a couple comparisons of projects of this scale.

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