JMA and Vibrant Cities Work Together on PNW Housing Options
JMA is working with Seattle-based multi-family developer Vibrant Cities on multiple community-focused housing options for the fast-growing Pacific Northwest region.
“The Pacific Northwest has been growing for decades and we love the vibrancy and opportunities it offers,” said Vibrant Cities Managing Director Winston Yeung. “With limited land available and many areas bound by geography, by providing multi-family options and density, more people have the ability to live within the city while enjoying a beautiful home and the natural appeal that the Pacific Northwest has to offer.”
Located in Seattle’s International District, Vibrant Cities is a minority and woman owned company.
“We are so proud to provide designs for Vibrant Cities, a company focused on developing smart buildings that benefit the community,” said JMA Principal Matt Laase who managed the design of Roystone in Seattle’s Lower Queen Anne neighborhood. “Here at JMA, we value strong relationships with our clients and the community, which is why we really appreciate Vibrant Cities’ core values of integrity, trust, and respect.”
JMA started working for Vibrant Cities in 2016 and has since designed 5 multi-family projects.
NIWA- Seattle, WA
Under Construction
JMA designed this 97,211 AF apartment building which will be an 8-story mixed-use, mid-rise structure in Seattle’s historic Lower Queen Anne neighborhood. The building will offer 127 residential units and 29 parking spaces close to downtown Seattle.
Roystone- Seattle, WA
Under Construction
JMA designed this 74,304 SF apartment building, also in the Lower Queen Anne neighborhood, which will focus on pedestrian and retail activity and be well-served by public transportation. The design contains 93 residential units, and is an 8-story mixed-use, mid-rise structure.
Ascend Lofts- Portland, OR
Completed 2020
JMA designed this congregate housing development in Portland which offers 5 stories, 96 residential spaces, 4 shared residential kitchens, 4 live/work units, as well as 5 small retail spaces on the ground floor. Amenities include a courtyard, mid-level deck, gym, bike storage space, as well as electric vehicle charging stations.
Waterline Condominiums – Newcastle, WA
Permitting
Designed by JMA, this 5-story building will offer 62 residential units, a parking garage with 104 spaces, a rooftop deck, and a 4,200 SF commercial/retail space (enough for a restaurant). Residents will enjoy proximity to downtown Newcastle along with Hazelwood Park, Lake Boren, and the Coal Creak Natural Area.
Zeal Lofts- Portland, OR
Permitting
JMA designed Zeal Lofts, a congregate housing project in Portland offering 6 stories, 210 sleeping units, 34 shared residential kitchens, and 4,500 SF of commercial space. Zeal Lofts will provide residents with resort style amenities including 2 courtyards, a rooftop deck, lounge, gym and a dog washing station. The project is pursuing LEED Gold certification.
A Community-Focused Approach
JMA and Vibrant Cities understand how each community is unique and buildings must be designed to grow and enhance the specific neighborhoods in which they belong.
“Each project has been tailored to each community and site, whether it’s providing additional parking to the City of Newcastle at Waterline, orienting the building to take advantage of views of the Space Needle at NIWA, or providing much needed affordable options in Portland at Ascend,” said Yeung.
The companies recently worked with the City of Newcastle to keep the Waterline Condominiums’ development agreement in line with the community’s goals for the downtown area. Read more here.
“JMA and Vibrant Cities have engaged with community members far more than just the public comments at public design review sessions,” said Yeung. “We’ve reached out to our neighbors on our projects to collaborate with them on both design and function and have worked with them on multiple issues such as easements, parking, fences, and setbacks. Our property managers regularly seek out opportunities to engage with and promote local businesses, which benefits not only the residents in our buildings, but the various retailers and providers in the neighborhoods around our buildings too.”
Click here to learn more about Vibrant Cities and its community-focused approach to development.
Principal Matt Laase (second from left) attended the groundbreaking for Roystone.
