Multifamily Housing in South Lake Union
Stellar Apartments
A complicated site leads to an understated yet distinctive multifamily addition to a bustling, transitional Seattle neighborhood.
Located at the intersection of Dexter Avenue North and Lee Street, this elegant 160-unit apartment building stands out for its contrast to the sea of brightly colored buildings composing Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood. The building was developed on one of the few remaining infill lots along Dexter Avenue North, just as the neighborhood transitions to Westlake.
With both architecture and landscape architecture services provided in-house as an integrated design team from project launch, the result is a holistic, beautiful pedestrian and resident experience seamlessly integrating indoor and outdoor spaces.
Nested between a major arterial, Aurora, to the west and Lake Union to the east, the site’s location is a dynamic, multi-modal transit corridor with dedicated bike lanes, frequent bus service, and a strong pedestrian presence.
The building’s sculpted massings are designed to accentuate the high-profile corner lot and emphasize the pedestrian experience, resulting in three primary elements: a brick-clad tower, a two-story pedestrian-oriented base, and disciplined, rectangular volumes which hover over the street.
An Elegant New Apartment Building in South Lake Union
Completed near the close of 2023, this new apartment building in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood features 160 units, including live/work units along the Dexter façade. Stellar Apartments | Photo by Meghan Montgomery
An Elegant New Apartment Building in South Lake Union
Completed near the close of 2023, this new apartment building in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood features 160 units, including live/work units along the Dexter façade. Stellar Apartments | Photo by Meghan Montgomery
A “gasket” clad in Swisspearl with integrated LED lighting separates the brick corner tower and flanking rectangular volumes while visually connecting the street level articulation to an amenity roof deck. The corner tower is carved away at the 8th level to allow for the shared roof deck, which captures expansive views to the southeast, including Downtown, Lake Union, and Capitol Hill beyond. An adjacent club room adjoins the deck, connecting to the outdoor space through a large, folding glass door.
At street level, the corner tower is punctured with a highly transparent, asymmetrical entry that effectively connects the building’s lobby and “front of house” spaces with the pedestrian-oriented street-level experience beyond. Units along Dexter Avenue follow the gently sloping grade and are accessed through generously glazed storefronts.
Namesake Entrance
The inset glassy corner entrance at the Stellar Apartments sparkles with with a wrap-around “stellar” awning. Stellar Apartments | Photo by Meghan Montgomery
Namesake Entrance
The inset glassy corner entrance at the Stellar Apartments sparkles with with a wrap-around “stellar” awning. Stellar Apartments | Photo by Meghan Montgomery
Custom Integrated Canopy
The custom-fabricated metal panels of the canopy feature thousands of varied perforations housing LEDs to create a star-like spread highlighting the building's entrance, which carries into the building interior. Stellar Apartments | Photo by Meghan Montgomery
Custom Integrated Canopy
The custom-fabricated metal panels of the canopy feature thousands of varied perforations housing LEDs to create a star-like spread highlighting the building's entrance, which carries into the building interior. Stellar Apartments | Photo by Meghan Montgomery
Activating the Façade with Art
The north side of the building faces land housing a municipal services pump station, which will remain undeveloped, creating an opportunity for a massive mural by Jeff “WEIRDO” Jacobson. Stellar Apartments | Photo by Meghan Montgomery
Activating the Façade with Art
The north side of the building faces land housing a municipal services pump station, which will remain undeveloped, creating an opportunity for a massive mural by Jeff “WEIRDO” Jacobson. Stellar Apartments | Photo by Meghan Montgomery
Aurora Borealis
The lit mural by artist Jeff “WEIRDO”Jacobson glows in rich red and orange hues punctuated with LED accents forming constellations. Stellar Apartments | Photo by Meghan Montgomery
Aurora Borealis
The lit mural by artist Jeff “WEIRDO”Jacobson glows in rich red and orange hues punctuated with LED accents forming constellations. Stellar Apartments | Photo by Meghan Montgomery
Triple-Stacked Parking Solutions
The sloping site presented a challenge to accommodate sufficient underground parking, but incorporating triple-level stacked parking equipment vastly expanded the building’s parking capacity. Stellar Apartments | Photo by Meghan Montgomery
Triple-Stacked Parking Solutions
The sloping site presented a challenge to accommodate sufficient underground parking, but incorporating triple-level stacked parking equipment vastly expanded the building’s parking capacity. Stellar Apartments | Photo by Meghan Montgomery
The building’s north façade faces a municipal services metro pump station and will remain undeveloped. To respond to this condition, a supergraphic representing the northern lights was included in the design. The graphic provides visual interest and purpose to what would otherwise remain a blank canvas.
On a challenging site in a neighborhood where parking is at a premium, triple-level stacked parking equipment vastly expands the building’s parking capacity, transforming the space typically allocated to nine cars to instead accommodate 26, granting the building 61 underground parking spaces.
Activated Lobby
With a large worktable, self-serve coffee and tea, and lounge areas, the lobby is both a space to greet residents and a functional amenity. Stellar Apartments | Photo Courtesy of Thrive Communities
Activated Lobby
With a large worktable, self-serve coffee and tea, and lounge areas, the lobby is both a space to greet residents and a functional amenity. Stellar Apartments | Photo Courtesy of Thrive Communities
Starry Nook
A sheltered banquette feels cozy and quiet surrounded by star-like wallpaper. Stellar Apartments | Photo Courtesy of Thrive Communities
Starry Nook
A sheltered banquette feels cozy and quiet surrounded by star-like wallpaper. Stellar Apartments | Photo Courtesy of Thrive Communities
“Skygazer” Lounge
At the rooftop level, the lounge amenity space continues the astral theme with a dark backdrop punctuated with glittery accents. Stellar Apartments | Photo Courtesy of Thrive Communities
“Skygazer” Lounge
At the rooftop level, the lounge amenity space continues the astral theme with a dark backdrop punctuated with glittery accents. Stellar Apartments | Photo Courtesy of Thrive Communities
A Starry Array
Above, a field of teardrops glitter with light and sway with the breeze creating a dynamic geometric field in the ceiling plane. Stellar Apartments | Photo Courtesy of Thrive Communities
A Starry Array
Above, a field of teardrops glitter with light and sway with the breeze creating a dynamic geometric field in the ceiling plane. Stellar Apartments | Photo Courtesy of Thrive Communities
Integrating the Exterior
An expansive glass wall opens to the roof deck allowing activities in the sheltered lounge to spill into the activated roof deck. Stellar Apartments | Photo Courtesy of Thrive Communities
Integrating the Exterior
An expansive glass wall opens to the roof deck allowing activities in the sheltered lounge to spill into the activated roof deck. Stellar Apartments | Photo Courtesy of Thrive Communities
Sky Loungers
Whether you’re taking in the sun or the stars, built-in loungers integrated with planters lush with vegetation offer an inviting spot to relax and enjoy the view. Stellar Apartments | Photo Courtesy of Thrive Communities
Sky Loungers
Whether you’re taking in the sun or the stars, built-in loungers integrated with planters lush with vegetation offer an inviting spot to relax and enjoy the view. Stellar Apartments | Photo Courtesy of Thrive Communities
City & Lake Views
A fire pit gathering area positioned at the building corner offers uninterrupted views of the city skyline and Lake Union. Stellar Apartments | Photo Courtesy of Thrive Communities
City & Lake Views
A fire pit gathering area positioned at the building corner offers uninterrupted views of the city skyline and Lake Union. Stellar Apartments | Photo Courtesy of Thrive Communities
Quiet Work Rooms
If the shared work areas of the lobby aren’t your style, individual workrooms offer quiet space free of distraction. Stellar Apartments | Photo Courtesy of Thrive Communities
Quiet Work Rooms
If the shared work areas of the lobby aren’t your style, individual workrooms offer quiet space free of distraction. Stellar Apartments | Photo Courtesy of Thrive Communities
Parking Innovations
Triple-stacked parking equipment vastly increased the available underground parking able to be accommodated on the sloping site. Stellar Apartments | Photo Courtesy of Thrive Communities
Parking Innovations
Triple-stacked parking equipment vastly increased the available underground parking able to be accommodated on the sloping site. Stellar Apartments | Photo Courtesy of Thrive Communities
A Textural Palette
The dramatic grain of the wood of the cabinets and three-dimensional geometric tile at the backsplash create a rich textural experience for the unit finish palette. Stellar Apartments | Photo Courtesy of Thrive Communities
A Textural Palette
The dramatic grain of the wood of the cabinets and three-dimensional geometric tile at the backsplash create a rich textural experience for the unit finish palette. Stellar Apartments | Photo Courtesy of Thrive Communities
Clean Lines with Integrated Casework
Rather than ending at the kitchen, the built-in casework extends the full depth of the unit adding ample storage with clean, elegant lines. Stellar Apartments | Photo Courtesy of Thrive Communities
Clean Lines with Integrated Casework
Rather than ending at the kitchen, the built-in casework extends the full depth of the unit adding ample storage with clean, elegant lines. Stellar Apartments | Photo Courtesy of Thrive Communities
Flexible Options
Sliding, translucent glass panels in the bedroom can open to create the feel of a more open plan, or they can close off completely to create a true one-bedroom. Stellar Apartments | Photo Courtesy of Thrive Communities
Flexible Options
Sliding, translucent glass panels in the bedroom can open to create the feel of a more open plan, or they can close off completely to create a true one-bedroom. Stellar Apartments | Photo Courtesy of Thrive Communities
Smooth Transitions
A barn door at the bedroom entrance eliminates the wasted space needed to accommodate a swinging door. Stellar Apartments | Photo Courtesy of Thrive Communities
Smooth Transitions
A barn door at the bedroom entrance eliminates the wasted space needed to accommodate a swinging door. Stellar Apartments | Photo Courtesy of Thrive Communities
Notes & Credits
Architecture by Board & Vellum.
Landscape Architecture by Board & Vellum.
Interior Design by VIDA Design.
Built by Chinn Construction.
Structural Engineering by YT Engineering.
Civil Engineering by Navix.
Geotechnical Engineering by PanGEO.
Lighting Design Consultation by Luminous NW.
Mural by Jeff “WEIRDO” Jacobson.
Exterior Photography by Meghan Montgomery.
Interior & Roof Deck Photography courtesy of Thrive Communities.
Stellar is certified 4-Star Built Green.
Want to learn more?
You’re welcome to take a look at our available services and other portfolio projects.
Services
Our design services encompass architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture, with teams specializing in projects across the spectrum, from single-family homes to multifamily and mixed-use buildings, and from boutique commercial spaces to civic spaces, like parks. We love designing the integrated fabric of structures, spaces, and places that create vibrant neighborhoods.
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