As seen from the street, J.G. Whittier, a 54-unit multifamily structure that opened last year in Seattle’s Crown Hill Urban Village, combines a mix of colors and stark geometric shapes along its modulated facade.
However, looking at the sides of the building, the brickwork gives way to a set of four large and colorful murals by artist Chelsea Wirtz — one depicting mountains, another a dove spreading its wings and two featuring a flower shedding petals.
Up above the murals, between a pair of lounges, a path wanders through a blooming rooftop garden.
The property’s architecture is inspired by the geology and natural features of Washington and is designed to evoke the “geometric anomalies found in nature,” according to David Fuchs, principal at Seattle-based Johnston Architects. These natural features include basalt formations and erosion patterns conveyed through hexagonal shapes and angular fixtures.
Developed by Seattle-based Lake Union Partners, the project was sold before construction began to FFV Crown Hill LLC, a private owner based in Issaquah, Washington, according to the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce and King County land records. Seattle-based Belotti + McHugh was the general contractor.
Rooftop views
J.G. Whittier’s 54 units include studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, as well as open one-bedroom floor plans where the sleeping area is separated from the rest of the unit by only a half wall, according to the property website. Units include smart locks, a patio or balcony, in-unit laundry, extra storage space and a full-height tile backsplash in the kitchen. Select apartments have den space, kitchen islands, a built-in desk or sliding barn-style doors.
Some units are available through Seattle’s Multifamily Tax Exemption affordable housing program, according to the property website. Seattle-based Thrive Communities is the property’s manager.
The rooftop includes an outdoor kitchen and play area, as well as a pet park, all with views of nearby Mount Rainier, according to Fuchs. Along with the rooftop amenities, J.G. Whittier also offers a pet wash station, a parking garage with EV charging stations, a media room, a business center, bike racks, a rec room and a resident lounge. Two 1,500-square-foot retail spaces are located on the ground level.
With major tech employers such as Amazon and Microsoft attracting population growth, Seattle has historically been a strong market for apartment demand, with an average rent of $2,227 — well over the national average, according to RentCafe data.
However, new apartment supply in the city is set to skyrocket this year, according to a RealPage report. Nearly 25,700 units are currently under construction in Seattle, and more than 18,800 are expected to deliver this year — more than triple the 6,100 units delivered in 2023. This translates into a 5% increase in apartment stock, one of the highest in the nation, according to RealPage.
