A Land Use Application to allow a 7-story building with 44 apartment units, 14 small efficiency dwelling units (58 units total), lodging and retail. Parking for 17 vehicles proposed. The existing building will be destroyed.The number of apartments has been downsized from 79 to 58 and parking spots shaved from 20 to 17.

Original post July 2018

Well known West Seattle developer Leon Capelouto, whose projects have included Capco Plaza (home to QFC, Petco and his own Capco Liquors) on Alaska Street SW and the more recently completed AJ Apartments on SW Oregon Street is behind the West Seattle Junction's newest development.

A seven story, 79 unit apartment building with 20 parking stalls is proposed for the addresses spanning:

4508 CALIFORNIA AVE SW, 4510 CALIFORNIA AVE SW, 4512 CALIFORNIA AVE SW and 4514 CALIFORNIA AVE SW.

The project is up for an early design guidance meeting on Aug. 2 at the West Seattle Senior Center at 6:30pm

The full design proposal is found here. (42 mb)

It is being designed by Caron Architecture and is project number 3032079.

From the Design Proposal:

DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES

This proposal intends to develop a five to six level multifamily residential structure with one lodging level, commercial retail shops at grade, and one level of below grade parking. California Avenue street frontage will be comprised of ground level commercial use and a residential entrance lobby.

Services, below grade parking, loading and residential move in/out access is located off the alley. The objective is to provide new multifamily and commercial retail uses that contribute to and further activate the vibrant Junction streetscape.

SUMMARY STATEMENT

The site is located one parcel south of SW Oregon Street and on the east side of California Avenue SW in the West Seattle Junction District. The site is presently occupied by three one story retail shops, West Seattle Cyclery, Lee’s Asian and Kamei Japanese Restaurant. The topographical high point along California Avenue SW is at the north border and slopes approximately 1’-1/2” north to south. The site is in an area of increasing density and is transitioning to mixed use and multifamily residential while maintaining a strong retail core within the Junction. The street frontage along California Avenue has narrow sidewalks with parallel street parking spaces. A Midblock pedestrian crosswalk is located just south of the site and is frequently used by pedestrians. The streetscape provides grade level retail access with overhead weather protection, street trees, and pole mounted flower baskets. No overhead utility wires are currently present.