Venture to build 206 units at St. Luke’s Ballard home

There are two components, east and west, to the long-planned redevelopment of the St. Luke’s Episcopal Church property, next to Ballard Commons Park. The two new apartment buildings, one with space for the church, will proceed in phases.

The larger west building, from Security Properties, is planned for 5710 22nd Ave. N.W., facing the park and north of the library. That eight-story, 206-unit project secured its master use permit last week. Venture General Contracting is newly attached as the builder, for a project designed by VIA (now Perkins Eastman).

A demolition permit is meanwhile in process for the century-old little red church and associated structures. St. Luke’s will have a new home in the west building, designed by Olson Kundig, with about 13,500 square feet. That two-level space will have its separate entry on the building’s southwest corner.

The team also includes Swenson Say Faget, structural engineer and shoring; Sider + Byers, MEP and energy modeling; 4EA Building Science, envelope; KPFF, civil engineer and surveyor; GeoEngineers, geotechnical; Communita Atelier, landscape architect; and Bumgardner Architects, interiors.

The nearly 1-acre site extends between Northwest 58th and 57th streets, with the parking entry on the latter south side. Two underground levels will have 180 stalls, some likely to be reserved for congregants at certain times. Tenants will have at least 168 bike stalls.

Units are to run from studios to three-bedrooms. Larger townhouse units on 58th will have private entries. Under the city’s multifamily tax exemption program, 42 units are to be affordable to households earning in a range of 60% to 80% of area median income. The rest will be market-rate.

Amenities will include a roof deck and south-facing courtyard at the third floor.

There’s no declared start date for the west building. Security Properties and the church signed a ground lease agreement two years ago. After completion, that has a 75-year term, with two 25-year options to extend.

Size above grade is about 202,000 square feet, with a Mandatory Housing Affordability fee of over $4.3 million.

Then, to the east, that eight-story, 84-unit project at 2035 N.W. 58th St. will be entirely affordable. Rents will be affordable to households earning between 30% to 80% of area median income. Bridge Housing is the developer, and VIA again the architect. The MUP and demo permits are still in process. Exxel Pacific is attached as the builder.

St. Luke’s had hoped to make that Phase I, with the west building being Phase II. The final order and scheduling may depend on capital markets and financing constraints. The first developer to secure a construction loan may be the first to break ground.

St. Luke’s Redevelopment

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