Located at 7700 Rainier Avenue South in Seattle, Emerald City Commons is a 100,000 SF mixed-use project that includes three levels of residential above a 5,500 SF retail podium and 70 underground parking slots. The ground floor houses the new Rainier Health and Fitness facility to provide affordable fitness programs for residents and neighbors. There are 61 residential units, a dozen of which are three-bedroom units, and another dozen set aside for disabled residents.
Mercy Housing Northwest and Urban Impact, which provides affordable housing and community outreach, collaborated to develop the property to serve low-income residents. Following an extensive rezoning process, the project was designed as a long, linear building set perpendicular to Rainier Avenue to create space for a plaza and community area. All south facing units have a line of sight onto the landscaped terraces that function as front yards along a public gathering “street.” Designed to accommodate families with children, the three-bedroom units extend out from the building to provide natural ventilation and 180 degree views so parents can watch their kids play.
The project was designed in accordance with the Evergreen Sustainable Development Standard, which includes a highly reflective white roof; solar reflective paving; high efficiency appliances and boilers; and an Energy Star Advanced lighting package.
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