Seattle-area project will turn mall into residential neighborhood

A recently unveiled plan will transform a 463,000 sf mall into a mixed-use destination site in the Seattle suburb of Bellevue, Wash. The MG2-designed Crossroads project includes a 205,381 sf multifamily residential complex, a 14,500 sf retail/commercial space, and 15,000 sf of green space.

The latter will be open to the public with a section of outdoor seating, fire pits, a music stage, and a freestanding food and beverage pavilion. This community space will be programmed throughout the year with outdoor movies, craft shows, farmers’ market, and other events. It will connect residents to the shopping center and a nearby public park with trails for walkers, runners, and cyclists.

The 224-unit, market-rate residential building will feature studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments, and include retail space and parking. The six-story U-shaped building’s second level will include a library, kitchen, co-working spaces, and family rooms that connect with a 10,000 sf landscaped amenity deck. This outdoor space will include a children’s play space and areas for barbecues and picnics. The sixth floor will also include outdoor decks that overlook Bellevue, Seattle, and the Olympic mountains.

Sustainably designed features on site include rain gardens, bioswales, and a green roof. Solar panels will offset portions of the building’s operating energy.

The design considers the environmental impact holistically, including the effects of its layout on the neighborhood. “At Crossroads, we made the purposeful decision to knit residential, retail, and green space into the fabric of the community,” says MG2 Principal Mark Taylor. “We also improve connections to transit and community hubs. The result is an exceptional pedestrian experience throughout the property and even beyond.”

Ground-breaking will take place later in 2022.

Building Team:

Owner/developer: ROIC (Retail Opportunity Investments Corp.)
Residential Developer:  Gracorp (a division of Graham Construction)
Design architect: MG2
Architect of record: MG2
MEP engineer: WSP
Structural engineer: DCI