SEATTLE | Amazon development (3 towers) | FT | FLOORS

[Zapatan]

It could of been way better but at least we have some filler buildings...

I'm more excited about 5th and columbia if that gets built, I'm sure Seattle will see a new tallest someday, trump needs to get back on that.

If San Francisco can build a supertall, almost anywhere can.

[shakman]

At least a couple of surface lots will be developed.

[Zapatan]

Does anyone know the exact heights? Are they 500' each?

[mhays]

One is, and the other two are slightly shorter.

Based on other projects, Seattle apparently lets residential projects in certain areas go 10% above the height limit for rooftop architectual/mechanical, but commercial uses can't do that.

[Zapatan]

Originally Posted by mhays

One is, and the other two are slightly shorter.

Based on other projects, Seattle apparently lets residential projects in certain areas go 10% above the height limit for rooftop architectual/mechanical, but commercial uses can't do that.

Hopefully they are still taller than 492' (150 meters) so they are technically skyscrapers.

Why don't they just built in the areas of Seattle that don't have height limits?

[mhays]

Originally Posted by Zapatan

Hopefully they are still taller than 492' (150 meters) so they are technically skyscrapers.

Why don't they just built in the areas of Seattle that don't have height limits?

Only the very core of the CBD has no height limits, and even there the FAR limits are pretty tight. Not to mention the uncertainties of tearing down something that might be historic is some cases. It would be tough to amass enough land to develop that much space, or lease other people's space.

There's no technical boundary of what's a "skyscraper," only (a) gradients that enthusiasts set up for categorization that otherwise mean nothing, and (b) design requirements (life safety, etc.) tied to certain heights. Either way, as a local, I'd like taller buildings but economic development, density, and ground-level urban design are more important to me.

[Zapatan]

in any case 500 sooters are still important parts of skylines, so I'm glad these buildings are going through and that there are 3 of them.

Hopefully something bigger can be built in the CBD then, Seattle just has such a nice skyline.

[NYguy]

http://blog.archpaper.com/wordpress/archives/46627

New Renderings of Rufus, Amazon’s Seattle Campus





September 24, 2012
Ariel Rosenstock

Since AN first looked at the proposed design for Amazon’s three-tower complex in the Denny Triangle neighborhood in Seattle last May—and after feedback from the Seattle community and meetings with the Design Review Board over the summer—NBBJ has released new renderings. And the project now has a nickname—Rufus—a nod to the late “Amazon dog,” a Corgi who kept employees company in the office since the early days.

In response to recommendations, the evolved design includes updates to elevations, details along the lower stories, weather protection, and open spaces. Facades are asymmetrical, stepped, and diverse. In a skin study, the office tower on the southeast Block 14 sports a façade of operable windows, glass, pre-finished metal panels and gold accent trim, which connects to the neighboring meeting center via a sky-bridge. Other perspectives reveal glass curtain walls on the six-story meeting center, leaving the auditorium and stairwell exposed. On Block 19, to the southwest, a covered walkway would provide protection during Seattle’s rainy winter months. There are retail storefronts on the lower levels, which will augment the outdoor public parks and plazas.

The combined towers are projected to accommodate approximately 12,000 Amazon employees. A final design recommendation meeting is scheduled for next week, which will further address building materials, connections between towers and blocks, full building elevations, open space, and public art.

__

[easy as pie]

Originally Posted by NYguy

http://blog.archpaper.com/wordpress/archives/37881

what an insane amount of surface parking in that photo, like years and years worth of development sites, just in those few blocks.

[seaskyfan]

Yes and no. The half block across the street from the Amazon property and the full block of parking further north (to the right on the photo) have buildings under construction on them now. Amazon has options on pretty much all the property on the blocks directly north of their sites and seem to be looking at a 10 year buildout.

[mSeattle]

From 12.24.12 Looking forward to see these start.


by mSeattle, on Flickr


by mSeattle, on Flickr


by mSeattle, on Flickr

[mhays]

The first building has a shoring permit and is now drilling.

[Surrealplaces]

^funny a couple of weeks ago I was in Seattle and walked past that lot a dozen times. I had no idea it was for the new amazon campus.

The three towers aren't the height of architecture by any means, but very good filler nonetheless. Having stayed in that area, you do really notice those empty blocks, so developing them will be very nice.

My own preference would be to have the three blocks developed with 3 x 10-15 story mixed use towers and Amazon build at supertall in the core of the CBD.