WEEK AHEAD: Design Review for 7617 35th SW on Thursday

Looking at the week ahead, here’s one big non-holiday event: Thursday night (December 7), the Southwest Design Review Board meets online for its next look at a mixed-use building proposed for 7617 35th SW, on the west side of 35th between Holden and Ida. This is the second “early design guidance” meeting for the project – at the end of the first one (WSB coverage here), the board told the project team to go back for another try at presenting size/shape options. The basics remain six stories, more than 130 apartments, 5,200 square feet of commercial (or live/work) space, and about 50 offstreet parking spaces. You can see the design packet for the meeting – including details on the three proposed size/shape (“massing”) options – by going here. The 5 pm meeting will include an opportunity for public comment, as explained on this page – which is also where you’ll find the link for attending Thursday’s meeting.

20 Replies to "WEEK AHEAD: Design Review for 7617 35th SW on Thursday"

  • MyThruppence December 3, 2023 (9:24 pm)

    Of course Scheme 3 is preferred. Looks like a prison block. <sigh>

  • shakuhachi December 3, 2023 (10:47 pm)

    Great, let’s Talk About It Some More: The Character Of The Neighborhood! I wonder if any of these architects have concerns about the colors the building architects propose? Will it fit in appropriately with Mars Hill Church, Chevron, and the fire station?Unbelievable the city hasn’t gotten rid of these completely arbitrary gatekeeper panels yet. The Seattle Process.

    • Anne December 4, 2023 (7:40 am)

      I’m fine with keeping these “ gatekeeper panels” West Seattle has seen plenty of ugly ugly builds over the decades. There’s no reason new builds can’t at least try to be attractive-this particular building can be the leader for those that will surely follow. 

      • KM December 4, 2023 (10:13 am)

        Attractive to whom? It’s completely subjective. I don’t like Craftsman homes, but who cares?

    • WSB December 4, 2023 (10:07 am)

      One data point of note, if not for the SW Design Review Board (which seldom meets these days as the city has reduced the criteria for projects needing to go before it), two multifamily-housing sites in West Seattle would be single-story one-store businesses with relatively large parking lots – the southeast corner of California/Charlestown (which became Rally townhomes with several street-level businesses, but was proposed for a standalone Petco store that went through multiple board meetings before being abandoned) and the east side of Fauntleroy south of Les Schwab (which became Maris, more than 200 apartments, but was proposed for a standalone drive-through CVS store that also went through multiple board meetings before being abandoned) – TR

  • Jeepney December 4, 2023 (6:18 am)

    I chuckle at the mention of “50 off street parking spots” as if that is a positing thing.  I would be interested to see information regarding the proximity of those 50 parking spots.

    • WSB December 4, 2023 (6:48 am)

      The proposed floor plans are in the linked design packet.

  • Christine December 4, 2023 (8:10 am)

    I used to think of architects as creative. This looks like a Soviet prison. ‘Another hideous design that doesn’t match the neighborhood at all. The parking situation is also stupid and lacks practical common sense. Where is the off street parking in this area? Nowhere. 

    • KM December 4, 2023 (10:16 am)

      Christine, I live a block from this and there is a crap ton of parking available on streets. Holden is wide open in both directions.

    • WS Res December 4, 2023 (1:51 pm)

      three proposed size/shape (“massing”) options” – reading is fundamental!

  • Crosswalk December 4, 2023 (8:49 am)

    Plans need to reflect east west crosswalk at Holden across 35th. That crosswalk is missing. Odd to not show this main crosswalk.Building at 35th and Avalon seems too close to SCL pole. Not good example. I wonder how they got that approved by Metro, SDOT and Seattle City Light.

  • Nic December 4, 2023 (8:57 am)

    They didn’t listen at all to the design review board from the last meeting. All three options have the garage entrance on Ida street. 

  • WSDAD December 4, 2023 (9:35 am)

    I am excited about this project. I live a block away, and that corner is an eyesore. I hope we can bring in more business by adding retail to the bottom floor. Maybe they can add a grocery store similar to Wildwood Market. 

    • Steve December 4, 2023 (2:28 pm)

      There is a house on one part and the CAR shop on the other. Both one story.  Some actual grass and plants. This building is going to be a much bigger eyesore. Six stories compared to the four story apartment building right across the street.

  • Jeff December 4, 2023 (10:05 am)

    People really need to get over parking. Not everyone will or should drive…

    • Anne December 4, 2023 (10:26 am)

      You’re right not everyone will drive-( who decides who “should” drive- by the way ) but the majority will. Doubt that- just look around at the many builds in the last 5-10 years -built near transit so parking wasn’t considered. Take a look around the neighborhoods adjacent to these builds & see how they’ve turned into parking lots. 

  • revilo December 4, 2023 (12:11 pm)

    Parking?!?!?  Scheme 2 has no windows.

    • WSB December 4, 2023 (1:33 pm)

      The early-design guidance phase is size and shape. Colors, materials, windows, other details aren’t finalized until the second phase.

  • Bunnyfer December 4, 2023 (6:28 pm)

    Do they explain why option 3 is preferred? The PDF only seems to show details for scheme 3 

  • Andrea December 4, 2023 (7:42 pm)

    No one wants to look at a block- long building facade, especially with no landscaping. Ugly ugly ugly. Cmon designers, do better! Its not all about how many people can we cram into West seattle. You’re just dragging down the standard of living for what??? Why exactly? Just stop building this stuff already. 

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