Tanager Apartments

The development is made up of two towers situated around an internal, central courtyard which serves as a common amenity space and view for internal units. New commercial spaces along East 14th Avenue and East Union Street balance the activity brought to the area by beloved music venue and nightclub, Chop Suey, and other established commercial destinations. All adjacent right-of-ways are well-served by transit, and were recently upgraded with bike, car, and community transit infrastructure.

Surrounded by heavily traveled thoroughfares, the design aims to protect and enhance the pedestrian experience. Care was taken to incorporate plantings that perform well in urban conditions and buffer the sidewalks from the busy streets. The sidewalks remains wide, with plenty of room for window shopping, bike parking, and outdoor seating areas for commercial spaces.

To celebrate and preserve the location’s character, several street-facing façades are reserved for murals and art installations, activating these otherwise blank façades. Working with building ownership and local artists, these murals will celebrate the history and tradition of live music, food, and rich culture integral to the Capitol Hill experience.

In addition to the wall murals, a large-scale neon sign installation on the west-facing façade makes a bold, one-of-a-kind statement. The sign is intended to contribute to the area’s spirit of nightlife while also transforming the building itself into a unique, recognizable landmark on Capitol Hill.

Drawing further inspiration from the neighborhood, the design celebrates an eclectic mix of old and new, and the building adds to the neighborhood context in unique yet familiar ways. For instance, the building is largely clad brick, which is prevalent throughout Capitol Hill. Yet, the use of a grey tone adds a contemporary spin on this timeless material.

Traversing the buildings, one experiences the Tanager’s intentional marriage of wilderness and city. The buildings’ amenity spaces center around immersive natural areas that feel distinctly Pacific Northwest.

The central courtyard offers an area of retreat from the highly urban streetscape, bringing key elements of the forest floor into the heart of the building. A boardwalk path creates a pleasant view for interior-facing units with luscious plantings, ferns, and soft ground cover.

Central to the design is a living nurse log, creating ongoing new life within a thriving, abundant landscape. Large trees will provide shade and artificial boulders add to the Pacific Northwest Forest experience. The journey through the lobby is deliberately natural, ascending to two rooftop summits on the north and south towers.

The north tower rooftop features a mountain-meadow-inspired amenity space serving recreation and gathering opportunities. Decking, pavers, and sloped “meadow view” openings create a dynamic experience, highlighting million-dollar Seattle views among seating, BBQ areas, and open lawn.

From the south tower, spectacular views of Mt Rainier and downtown Seattle can be enjoyed from a camping inspired rooftop amenity space. A fire pit, picnic tables, and dense Pacific Northwest trees and shrubs create an outdoor oasis within the dense urban context.

The heart of the Tanager Apartments’ design is the marriage of these contrasting elements: dense urban living and the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Though firmly rooted in the culture of Capitol Hill, the project celebrates and honors the nearby natural environment, for a blended experience true to Seattle and the Pacific Northwest.