(Image: Horizon House)

Horizon House says construction is set to begin on its new 33-story West Tower on First Hill neighborhood. The project will add 202 residences to the existing University Street campus, creating, it says, one of the tallest purpose-built senior living high-rises in the United States.

“The West Tower is an ambitious effort that will expand urban senior living options for active seniors in downtown Seattle,” Erica Thrash-Sall, Horizon House CEO, said in the announcement. “We took on this project with one goal in mind: to ensure Horizon House thrives for the next generation of residents.”

The expansion is moving forward in December as Horizon House turns the existing West Wing property over to Andersen Construction to begin demolition. An official groundbreaking ceremony for the skyscraper is scheduled for late January.

Horizon House says the long-planned development received its Master Use Permit in October. In late November, the organization secured $600 million in tax-exempt revenue bonds to fund the endeavor.

The 33-story tower will replace the current 50-unit West Wing. The new apartments will range from 835 to 2,200 square feet. Horizon House reports that 70% of the new units are already pre-sold.

Upon completion, the total campus capacity will reach 620 apartments, including 529 for independent living and 91 dedicated to assisted living and memory care.

The project is launching as Horizon House says senior housing demand continues to outpace development. Citing data from NIC-MAP, a senior housing analytics firm, Horizon House noted that occupancy rates are at historic highs while only a small fraction of necessary new units are being built.

A study by PwC and the Urban Land Institute suggests that as the oldest baby boomers enter their 80s starting in 2026, the pressure on senior housing supply will intensify—particularly in amenity-rich urban settings like First Hill.

The development team includes architect and interior designer Mithun and general contractor Andersen Construction.

Thrash-Sall says that the location provides residents with proximity to Seattle’s medical community and downtown cultural centers via Freeway Park.

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