Refreshing an Award-Winning Project
Joseph Arnold Lofts Refresh
Recognized in 2014 as NAIOP’s Residential Development of the Year, ”The Joe” was ready for an on-brand refresh.
Named after Seattle physician and environmental advocate Joseph Arnold Schuster, Joseph Arnold Lofts — or The Joe — was designed to represent the community of Seattle and redefine apartment life.
With a strong legacy, central location, and sweeping Puget Sound views, the building had great bones. But a strong foundation doesn’t mean improvements can’t be made, or that cosmetic upgrades aren’t necessary over time. Thrive Communities wanted to re-tell the story of The Joe through thoughtful design revitalizations to elevate the brand, breathe new life into the property, and take full advantage of its prime Seattle location.
In honor of its namesake, an avid outdoorsman and lover of the Pacific Northwest, The Joe grounds itself in natural materials amplified by architectural detailing. The goal was to refresh the common spaces and amenities to balance loft-living with the natural world, drawing residents and guests into the newly updated spaces.
To tell a cohesive story throughout the complex, each finish and fixture was thoughtfully chosen to enhance the overall brand and blend “natural” with “posh.” Stone, wood, and leather – timeless finishes that bring the outside in – appear throughout the contemporary design.
The placement of light is also integral to balancing elegance with natural elements. Dramatic light features complement organic materials, bringing out their polished and refined qualities, while immediately catching the eye of guests.
The common spaces shine with luscious neutrals paired with contrasting, rich colors, such as burnt orange chairs paired with a slate blue sofa. Warm, plush seating stretches out beneath high ceilings with exposed mechanical infrastructure, begging visitors to get cozy among the lush materials below. Among the varied seating options, a built-in banquette offers café-like seating with leather-clad cushions with a backdrop of planter boxes and large windows, creating a refined haven that also feels open and bright.
The community kitchen is flooded with a mix of natural and artificial light by floor-to-ceiling windows and modern, minimalist light fixtures suspended from the wood-accent drop ceiling. The tile floor is reminiscent of a rocky creek bed, while the marbled island and tabletops whisk guests away to the deep, brooding evergreens, and collected stones tumbled to a polish.
The gym, which was expanded to introduce new equipment, features colorful new art paired with concrete walls and wood accents, creating an environment of calm and focus.
On the amenity roof deck, a sunroom doubles as a kitchen, offering residents a flexible, year-round place to host a rooftop dinner party with a view. The outdoor seating area boasts the same elements of luxury and nature, pairing dramatic marbled stone with colorful accents, all against the backdrop of sweeping views of Puget Sound.
The model unit is refreshed to feature the same welcoming color palette, organic materials, and high-end fixtures.
Sleek marbled countertops and stainless steel breathe a contemporary essence into the home, while dark, wood floors and earth tones stay true to The Joe’s history.
Every community has something special that deserves to be commemorated through its own, unique design. We’re pleased the updated look and feel of Joseph Arnold Lofts still captures the legacy of its namesake while allowing it to thrive in the competitive Seattle housing market.
Notes & Credits
Photography by Cory Holland.
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