CHS started spring reporting on the economic conditions behind a slowdown in development and the disappearance of design reviews and construction cranes from Capitol Hill. There is an exception to the trend — a busy crane hard at work above 14th and Union.

The Tanager Apartments project broke ground last summer and is one of the few major multifamily housing currently under construction in the central city. The project from the Euclid Development was designed by 15th Ave E’-headquartered Board and Vellum.

The seven-story, 138-unit mixed-use development is being built to jigsaw into the block between Chop Suey and queer bars Madison Pub and Diesel at 14th and Madison. The businesses remain open through the ruckus and growth.

(Image: Compass Construction)

The original project has grown in scale. CHS reported here in 2021 on early planning that would demolish the former La Panzanella bakery property at 14th and Union recently home to businesses including Oola Distillery, gay bar Union, Restaurant Zoe, and Bar Sue to make room for a new building. In 2022, those plans were expanded with a property deal for the 1920-built Talbot Building garage on E Madison opening up a new jigsaw opportunity for a much larger project.

The agreement to acquire and develop the old Talbot Building garage as part of the project ended any plans to create a new car dealership on the E Madison property sandwiched between Chop Suey and the Madison Pub. In 2018, CHS reported on early plans from 12th Ave’s Ferrari and Maserati of Seattle to expand onto E Madison with a new a new Alfa Romeo Seattle showroom and sales offices in the overhauled garage. The dealership purchased the 15,000 square-foot garage for $2.25 million.

The 14th and Union property has been held by the Pasciutos, the family behind the much-loved La Panzanella bakery that called the corner home until the mid-2000s. Built in 1963, the bakery complex marked one of the last corners of light industrial use in a neighborhood that was dominated by auto row businesses and architecture in the early 20th century. Craft spirit maker Oola put the zoning to use in joining a small wave of microdistilleries opening on Capitol Hill in the 2010s but finally gave into real estate and cost pressures and moved to Georgetown during the pandemic.

Now, that massive crane and the site are under the management of lead contractor Compass Construction. The project is currently on track for a July 2026 opening. Most recent permitting opened the way for middle stage work like street tree planting to move forward.

via GIPHY

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