DEVELOPMENT: See the newest design proposal for 4747 California SW, apartments + Husky Deli’s new home

One year after the first Southwest Design Review Board meeting for the next major West Seattle Junction redevelopment project, the second is set for next week, as we first reported in May. Today, the “packet” of design/plan details to be reviewed that meeting is available via the city website if you want a preview.

The project is now described as:

• 6 STORIES OF APARTMENTS OVER 1 STORY OF RETAIL
• +/- 73 RESIDENTIAL UNITS
• +/- 45 RESIDENTIAL PARKING STALLS
• +/- 5,000 SF COMMERCIAL AREA AT STREET LEVEL

The “primary tenant,” of course, will be Husky Deli, whose proprietor Jack Miller owns and is redeveloping the site. Among many other things, the packet by Ankrom Moisan Architecture addresses the suggestion for a mural on the south side of the new building (like the current site) and suggests a concept like this, based on a historic photograph (which you can see in the packet):

Next week’s meeting is at 6:30 pm Thursday, July 18th, at the Senior Center/Sisson Building (4217 SW Oregon) and includes a public-comment period. You can also comment before then via email; the official meeting notice explains how.

64 Replies to "DEVELOPMENT: See the newest design proposal for 4747 California SW, apartments + Husky Deli's new home"

  • NW July 9, 2019 (12:08 pm)

    Will Bakery Nouveau be relocating?

    • WSB July 9, 2019 (12:55 pm)

      That building is not part of the project site; Sleepers and hot yoga are the two businesses in the buildings planned for demolition.

      • Erin98126 July 9, 2019 (1:28 pm)

        What are the plans for the two businesses being displaced?

  • heartless July 9, 2019 (12:56 pm)

    I tend to wish that there was more of a happy medium of height in the area.  I find something so incongruous (and visually disconcerting) about seven story structures flanked by small, single story buildings.

    Urban density is incredibly important; I’m in favor of taller buildings and more housing.  But were I the emperor-king of West Seattle I’d wave my wand and have buildings along California be, say, 3 stories all around–no single stories, nothing over 4 stories–and increase density and housing that way.

    I’m probably wrong, it’s been known to happen, but thought I’d share my random musings nonetheless.

    • Swede. July 9, 2019 (1:29 pm)

      Don’t worry about the look with high vs. low, all those one story buildings will be gone soon too. From what I know its only the Easy Street building that have historic status and can survive. 

      • WSB July 9, 2019 (2:27 pm)

        The heart of The Junction has been zoned for 80+ feet for 20+ years. Hasn’t exactly been a redevelopment stampede. Two projects several years ago (Junction 47 and 4730 Calif), now this one and 4508 California on the drawing board, nothing else even in the early pipeline (yet).

        • Swede. July 9, 2019 (8:03 pm)

          True, but there wasn’t projections for another 1.2 million people moving in here then, which there is now by 2040…

    • Laura Drake July 10, 2019 (7:55 am)

      I agree about 7 stories versus single stories. So disconcerting to have the two next to each other.Chicago is great with that because most neighborhoods (housing and business) are not over 4 stories.

    • artsea July 19, 2019 (6:31 am)

      Be patient.  One day they will all be 7 stories……or more.  I’m sure the day will come when the new maximum heights will increase again.  And again.

  • Critic July 9, 2019 (1:09 pm)

    Nothing remarkable about this proposal, even though they brought in hire guns from Portland.  Seattle does have great architectural talent. The business is iconic Junction, this proposed new building will not be.  The building is a mishmash attempt to graft the Moderne curves of the Husky Deli logo into the Husky Deli with the rigid box above.  If you want to go retro, do it ll the way.  Gaudi’s apartments in Barcelona were unmarketable in the 80’s and now a priceless cultural landmark.What parking is provided for customers  and  more importantly, Husky Deli employees?  The lauded 2nd story set-back is only 10 feet, what a joke.  The utilization of the sidewalk is highly compromised, even the optimistic sketches show “alternative” seating.  Where do you park your bike? Why don’t they set-back the whole building and strive for a cohesive design, even if it is Moderne all the way!  The cost would still pencil out.  It is Jack and his family’s legacy that is being constructed and this will be sadly forgettable if built.

    • Gene July 9, 2019 (1:27 pm)

      Doubt that  last sentence very much. 

    • sam-c July 9, 2019 (2:19 pm)

      re: the ‘hire guns’ [sic]  ?   That architecture firm has a Seattle office, and there are probably some West Seattle-ites that work there.

    • West Seattle Girl July 19, 2019 (12:03 am)

      Taking a stroll along California Ave is so relaxing. I love to window shop. But, I agree that some people demonstrate that they are “entitled” to use the sidewalk (public right of way) in a manner that suits them. They don’t seem to care about the wheelchair-bound person actually coming to a complete stop contemplating if they dare continue along the sidewalk and more than likely will collide with the person so self-absorbed in their cell phone or a conversation with the person next to them who is equally using the sidewalk as their own personal domain; or the other option of entering the street to “go around” the entitled individuals. So what do I do? I politely asked the two people who had arranged the outside seating to their liking to please make adjustments so the wheelchair could continue to move along the sidewalk. You would have thought I asked them to donate to the Republican Party. When did West Seattleites become so disrespectful? Especially those that are older and retired and chose to rearrange outside seating in front of stores to their own liking. But will be the first to grip if a toddler is a bit too loud and has interrupted their conversation or the dog’s tail swishes against their leg as it passes by with it’s owner? 

  • Deftones July 9, 2019 (1:13 pm)

    Another monolithic structure all in the name of density or that “affordable housing” nonsense. 

  • Peter July 9, 2019 (1:29 pm)

    The architect is a friend and a long-time resident of West Seattle. It’s nice to see this project progress!

  • Swede. July 9, 2019 (1:31 pm)

    Unexciting and same-same looks as pretty much anything else built the last decade in Seattle. Good that the deli survive though since it’s a good place and they are doing good work for the WS community! 

  • Chuck July 9, 2019 (1:36 pm)

    Looking good, Bellevue!

  • Litespeed July 9, 2019 (2:06 pm)

    73 residential units and 45 parking stalls? 

    • Olafur July 9, 2019 (9:38 pm)

      I noticed that, as well.  Since it still seems very few people actually end up living in WS without a car, I wonder where they’ll be parking?  

      • Max July 11, 2019 (2:21 pm)

        A location with a walkscore of 96/100 seems like the place to not have parking…

  • justme July 9, 2019 (2:10 pm)

    Fresh and clean! It sparks anew my Husky appetite!

  • coffeedude July 9, 2019 (2:21 pm)

    Ick.  And it will be those ugly basic 1 room apartments where they don’t even put a door on the laundry that goes in the bathroom.  So ugly and unattractive.  

    • WSB July 9, 2019 (2:33 pm)

      If you look at the packet, the plan has twice as many 1-bedroom apartments as studios.

  • dsa July 9, 2019 (2:42 pm)

    Since high rise is getting to be the norm, I am pleased to see this one has the second floor setback from the street.  It keeps a better appearance of the friendly junction than most of everything else that gets proposed and built.

    • Peter July 9, 2019 (4:16 pm)

      Seven floors is a high rise??    

      • dsa July 9, 2019 (7:18 pm)

        It is in WS.  BTW I have no ties and have not been in Husky for years, but I do applaud this design.   It is not difficult to thumb through the packet above to see how it is better than the others.

  • anonyme July 9, 2019 (2:43 pm)

    Heartless, I appreciate your musings (and agree with them).   As far as the HD building goes, that stretch (the entire block, really) of sidewalk has far too many obstructions that make it difficult for older or disabled folks to navigate.  Add dogs and strollers and walking becomes treacherous.  The current bump-out at Husky is terrible; I can’t imagine why it is allowed.  The new building should be set back to accommodate sidewalk seating that is NOT in the right-of-way.

    • K July 10, 2019 (1:23 am)

      My sentiments as well regarding Husky Deli’s summer sidewalk “seating”. It’s VERY difficult for those who must use a walker, wheelchair, or cane, especially our senior citizens to navigate around that bump out seating. For heavens sake, the sidewalk there is narrow enough as it is & adding seating with that “table” limits passing pedestrians to one “lane” for both north & south walking…then you have those patrons of Husky Deli that take it one step further & bring their chairs to the east side of the “table” blocking the entire sidewalk. Jack, can you reconsider this arrangement & compromise with just having the chairs out there?

  • Hudson July 9, 2019 (2:52 pm)

    I know it’s trendy to hate on real estate developers but this proposal is wonderful. The building that it is replacing is tired and needs to go. Kudos to Jack Miller and Husky Deli for being so forward thinking! 

    • Scott July 9, 2019 (5:10 pm)

      Touche Hudson!  Tired is the understatement.  And those hideous topiary Junipers?  Buh-bye.

      • JVP July 10, 2019 (9:06 am)

        Agreed. But I’m sure the city will protect those awful little trees, and make them design the entire project around them. 

    • RS July 11, 2019 (5:56 am)

      I agree with Hudson. I like this proposal, and I’m glad Husky Deli is staying. Glad to see not everything is going away, just evolving. Kudos!

  • JunctionStreetWalker July 9, 2019 (3:01 pm)

    I really hope the impromptu summer outdoor seating makes it to the new building. 

  • Brit July 9, 2019 (4:03 pm)

    What a shame. Destroying all the charm and character.

    • Gene July 9, 2019 (6:56 pm)

      Destroying all the charm & character of what-surely not those 2 old dreary buildings.  They seemed old 50+ years ago when they were Wigwam & Feed & Seed. 

  • Jeannie July 9, 2019 (4:38 pm)

    Sticks out like a carbuncle. 

  • My two cents ... July 9, 2019 (6:30 pm)

    How sad! Really thought and hoped that Mr. Miller would have had the development designed like a giant ice cream cone! Honors the past legacy of the community? Check. Unique design to quiet the naysayers (and open laundry rooms)? Check. Rumor has it that the name of the development was going to be named the “Rocky Road” building. 

    • Alex July 9, 2019 (8:58 pm)

      Rocky road? If they want it to reflect the character of Husky, it should be the coffee Oreo building. 

      • Coffee Oreo!!!!! July 10, 2019 (9:33 pm)

        Enough said. Glad huskey is sticking around and improving the hood.

  • Glenda July 9, 2019 (8:10 pm)

    I’m putting in my comments just to add some information.  I know the woman who designed this project: she and I grew up together in West Seattle and we both still live here.  To say that she cares greatly about how Husky will continue into the future, or how this building will sit with the buildings around it, or that she thought a lot about the details and quality of the materials or flow of the apartment interiors is an understatement.  This property is locally owned, locally developed and locally designed so to equate it to being just like every development in West Seattle is simply inaccurate.   Everyone is entitled to their own opinion about the design of course, but I just wanted you to have this background.  It might be helpful if you review this again a little closer and see some of the touches, such as the outside brick work and that the original wooden chandeliers are still there.   I also can’t help but wonder that with some of you it would be impossible to build something “new” in this corner that would have been considered successful, no matter what it looked like.  Some people just dislike change.  I really do get it, I’ve lived here all my life and the pace of change has been immense.   But I’d rather have development be totally local than totally impersonal. 

    • Scott July 9, 2019 (9:31 pm)

      Very helpful information Glenda

    • Morgan July 10, 2019 (12:23 am)

      Thanks for your input Glenda! I think the design looks pretty good. Husky Deli is a wonderful establishment and so glad they will have a long term home! 

    • Yma July 10, 2019 (6:35 am)

      Brava @Glenda! Thank you for the background and perspective.

    • sam-c July 10, 2019 (9:58 am)

      Thanks for the additional information Glenda. Looks like it will be a beautiful building.    

  • KBear July 9, 2019 (9:01 pm)

    Thank you, Glenda, for the additional context. Nothing would ever get built in Seattle if it had to pass a review of West Seattle Blog commenters. Good thing that’s not an official part of the process. This is what’s going to keep Husky Deli going in the Junction for years to come. This IS saving the character of the Junction.

  • Cid July 10, 2019 (7:20 am)

    I really like the rooftop garden and design of the deli storefront. I hope they do consider a mural on the south wall. It sounds like much thought and care has gone into this project’s fit in the junction and much better than Husky Deli relocating elsewhere.

  • Joan July 10, 2019 (9:46 am)

    I suppose there’s no way to fight this horrible design. I agree, it does not fit in visually with the neighborhood. Losing the character of the Junction will make this just another cookie cutter street. Yuck. Sad.

  • KBear July 10, 2019 (12:18 pm)

    For those not familiar with these architectural terms: “Cookie Cutter” = not a Craftsman style house or 1-2 story brick storefront. “Out of character” = 3 stories or more, usually also in Cookie Cutter style.

    • KM July 10, 2019 (2:02 pm)

      Preach!    

  • Airwolf July 10, 2019 (12:26 pm)

    another White and gray box. Other colors exist

  • WSB July 10, 2019 (12:47 pm)

    Correction on Junction zoning history timeline: Journalist/historian/author Clay Eals calls my attention to the fact that the Seattle City Council rezoned the heart of The Junction to 85′ in ***1986*** – so it’s been that way for more than THIRTY years. HALA MHA upped that to 95′, including this site, meaning it’s zoned now for two stories more than this project is proposing. (You can check updated zoning on any address with the HALA interactive map, btw.) – TR

  • dcn July 10, 2019 (12:59 pm)

    I usually don’t like big box buildings, but I like this one. There are many details that set it apart, like the curved entrance to the residential units, the setbacks with gardens, and the inset balconies. I also really like the street window for selling ice cream.I drove west on Alaska from 35th yesterday and as I sat at the traffic light at Alaska and Fauntleroy, I noticed the difference in appearance between the 2 tall buildings at that corner. The building housing LA Fitness has some character and visual appeal, while the building where BECU and Mod Pizza are (4755 Fauntleroy) is bland and ugly–a completely flat wall with no balconies, insets, or anything except 2 colors of siding to make it attractive. One project got the aesthetics right, the other one failed, IMO.I think there are ways to build up that are not ugly, and the new Husky Deli building will do that. Nothing on California can be worse than the old Petco Building on California, which had no windows on the street side. I remember thinking how ugly and out-of-place that building was when I first moved here. It’s replacement is a definite improvement.

    • Fiz July 10, 2019 (1:41 pm)

      The Petco building was an A&P grocery for decades and succeeding  groceries before it was Petco.   Early on there was a small parking area on the south side of the store before it was enlarged to include that space.  I remember shopping there with my mother.

  • Melinda J-S July 10, 2019 (2:23 pm)

    Great job, Jack! I can’t wait to enjoy a dish of  Swiss Chocolate Orange ice cream there!

  • Nancy R. July 10, 2019 (10:36 pm)

    It looks good!  Hopefully the folks that are armchair architecture critics can focus their energy instead on the Mac Analysis/old bank building directly to the south.  Now THAT is one ugly building in desperate need of redevelopment!!

  • BJG July 11, 2019 (8:39 am)

    Just an aside, that Mac Analysis Building seems all but abandoned. The well-used Edmunds sidewalk that abuts the building is all but impassable due to overgrown and untended shrubbery.  At points you’ll be balancing on the curb. A dead rat has been decomposing  there for the last several days. Even the crows won’t take it. Do the property owners even look? Might want to clean up for the summer festival. Please!

    • WSB July 11, 2019 (8:48 am)

      Have you contacted them? Contact info: http://technical.traders.com/content/contactus.asp
      Or, you can also report to the city: https://www.seattle.gov/sdci/codes/make%C2%A0a-property-or-building-complaint

      • BJG July 11, 2019 (12:31 pm)

        Thanks, I called the phone number listed at 4757 Calif. and a gentleman there informed me that landscape work was being arranged, but that it might be several weeks out. About the dead rat, he’d have someone take a look.  So we’ll wait to see and meantime walk another route.

        • Karen July 12, 2019 (9:33 am)

          I sent that overgrown mess to Findit/Fix it awhile ago.   I got a notice that my request is “closed”.  In the meantime the hedge continues to grow.  On Tuesday I walked behind a woman whose dog had to break heel so they could walk single file through there.  

  • Vince July 11, 2019 (10:16 am)

    A thousand cities in the nightEach one waiting for the lightTen million people plan their dayAs the sun still burns awayAs the earth just spins in spacePeople plan their daily raceAs the sun still burns awayFew say “Thank you for the day”All the people in their tiesForget to look up at the skyThey exist another dayAs the sun still burns away

  • Vince July 11, 2019 (10:18 am)

    I like this bldg, not that is means anything. To little time left for hating

  • Macs July 11, 2019 (2:16 pm)

    I dig it.

  • LAintheJunction July 12, 2019 (8:38 am)

    I think the building looks great. Everything changes, that’s life. I’ve lived in the Junction for over 20 years and it’s totally different now than when I moved here. And that’s ok. I’m looking forward to the next generation of Husky Deli!

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