Many people, including myself, agree that if Seattle is ever going to achieve sustainability, we are going to have to densify, and that means building more multi-family housing. Of course, as much as I want to see more people per acre, I certainly don’t want to sacrifice the character and culture of Capitol Hill in the process. I have been torn about the costs and benefits of many projects up here on The Hill, but the unfortunate truth is that most development is designed with the simple goal of making money; there is only feigned regard for the building’s place in the neighborhood.
But the work of Dunn + Hobbes is different. Their most famous work, a host of buildings around Pike and 12th Ave, has shown that they understand, and truly care, about how their developments will engage the community.
Aside from the 12th Ave Marketplace project, there are a few other examples of great development by Dunn + Hobbes here on Capitol Hill, and I thought it might be time to take a look at them.
1310 East Union Lofts is an 8-unit live/work building built in 2001 (map). As hugeasscity notes, what’s so stunning about this project, is it’s size. The width of the building is only 40ft, which includes an entrance to the units, a retail space, and a garage door. By using a European-style vehicle lift, the first in Cascadia, they were able to create a garage door that’s so small its almost beautiful (and this coming from someone who absolutely despises cars).
Melrose Triangle is a historic renovation project currently in the works just East of the freeway between Pike and Pine (map). Previously home to an auto repair shop, Dunn + Hobbes have plans to fully renovate the 1920’s structures into retail, office, and restaurant space, with exposed wood beams and interior brick walls. The project should be open for business in Spring 2009.
Its developers like this and developments like these that are the promising future of Seattle growth. Let’s hope that some other companies start taking a hint from Dunn + Hobbes and begin rethinking the way they do business in someone else’s backyard.
