[All photos by BUILD LLC]
Later this month, BUILD LLC and Freeville LLC, a local family-run developer in the Pacific Northwest, with the assistance of local development representative John Links, will complete the Fremont View Apartments – Modern Classic Collection in Seattle’s vibrant Fremont neighborhood. This achievement is particularly notable because the mission-driven project preserves all existing housing on the site, while adding much-needed living spaces in a city struggling with a housing crisis. While many developers would have chosen to demolish the existing buildings, displacing dozens of residents, Freeville LLC took on a longer, more complex process to save the original structure and keep people in their homes, they even added three new units into the basement of an existing 1960’s structure. This project sets a valuable precedent in multiple ways, and today’s article explores what makes it so significant.
The sleek, new 29-unit building is situated on a compact 9,600-square-foot parcel on the edge of the Fremont Urban Village. Projects on such tight sites often lack the space to offer the amenities found in larger, developer-driven projects, but in this case the surrounding neighborhood itself serves as an amenity, with nearby gyms, restaurants, bars, shops, nature trails, and Seattle’s iconic 16-foot Lenin statue enriching the immediate vicinity.
Constructed on a supposedly unusable bluff overgrown with blackberry bushes, the eight-story building was subject to a complex permitting process; extensive code research and collaboration with City reviewers were required to devise an innovative approach for maximizing housing on the constricted site, while retaining the existing building and its tenants. The new structure consists of two stacked single-stair buildings on top of each other, and connected by an elevator. Adding to the challenges was the need to secure eleven permits, a costly structural reinforcement of the hillside, and a structural retrofitting of the existing building. However, these efforts have been rewarded with stunning views of Downtown Seattle, the Olympic Mountains, Mount Rainier, and Lake Union from what is now the tallest building in Fremont. Opting to enhance diversity and long-term community, the development offers floor plans more varied than most buildings this compact, with layouts including studios, open one-bedrooms, full one-bedrooms, and two-bedroom units, many of which feature terraces to take in the views.
Certified as a 4-Star Built Green structure, the project incorporates environmentally sustainable materials, such as locally sourced siding and windows, flooring with recycled content, and low-VOC interior paints. It outperforms Washington State Energy Code requirements by 20%, and each unit is equipped with Energy Star appliances and WaterSense plumbing fixtures. More, recognizing the future of urban mobility, each home includes a secure, heated bike stall. Timeless interior design ensures the building will remain stylish for decades, avoiding the need for trend-driven renovations. The building also incorporates over eight pieces of local art, including public sculpture, a mural, a restored mid-century sculptural fountain, and architectural lighting and metalwork.
In terms of affordability, the project reserves some apartments for individuals who would typically be priced out of Fremont. These income-qualified units are available to those earning as little as 30% of the median Seattle income, making it possible for people from diverse professional backgrounds to live in this vibrant neighborhood.
Bringing all of these design elements together, obtaining approval in Seattle’s complex regulatory environment, and seeing the project through to completion is a monumental achievement. It reflects an owner-developer deeply committed to place and driven by strong values. As the project’s architect, we couldn’t be prouder of our collaboration with Freeville LLC. To celebrate the project’s completion, there will be an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 16 from 3 to 5 p.m. Join us at 519 Bowdoin Pl to meet the team and tour this exceptional addition to Seattle’s urban landscape.
For more information about Freeville LLC and its manager, Edward Krigsman, we recommend his Power of Place podcast, which honors significant locations and the people who protect and celebrate them. The podcast follows Edward’s career in real estate property management and related industries, and delves into his lifelong passion for people and placemaking.
Cheers from Team BUILD