Cornus House, a 199-unit affordable workforce housing development in Tacoma, Washington from housing developer Great Expectations, was designed by JMA and brings much needed housing to the transit district neighborhood.

“This is a truly special project which brings significant improvements to a challenging property and uses it for much needed affordable apartments and retail,” said JMA Principal Matt Laase. “JMA also designed the apartments to include high quality and durable materials which help transform this edge neighborhood into a modern multi-family residential community.”

Great Expectations hired environmental consultant Sound Earth Strategies to develop a cleanup plan with the Washington State Department of Ecology. The plan will hopefully act as a cleanup model for other developers in the area.

The 109,000 SF building will have 199 efficient units and 3 retail spaces.

Cornus House will sit in a fast-growing neighborhood within walking distance of downtown, the Tacoma Dome, the Sounder train station, the South 25th Street Link station, the UW-Tacoma campus, McKinley Park, and an abundance of restaurants and breweries. Residents will also enjoy a gym, flex working space, rooftop community room, as well as a scenic courtyard with a green space.

The 8-story mixed-use building will break ground Spring 2022 and is expected to be completed in 2023.

Project Team

Great Expectations- Owner
Jackson | Main Architecture- Architect
DCG- Civil Engineer
Schaefer- Structural Engineer
KLLA- Landscape Architect
A3 Acoustics- Acoustics Consultant
BEE Engineers- Energy/Envelope Consultant
Contour Engine ering- Surveyor
Sound Earth St rategies- Environmental Consultant
Endelman & Associates- Accessibility Consultant
Coffman Engineers- MEP Design Intent Consultant
RUSH- General Contractor

Affordable Apartments to Transform Tacoma Site