The "Spark" Project, Will The Building Have Color, Be Eclectic?

"Pure Redmond Apartments." For Redmond, this is eclectic. 

The Spark project is located on NE 67th Court and 176th Ave on an approximately 93,500 sf lot. The project site is long, narrow, and primarily flat. The site fronts NE 76th Court where light rail station will be constructed approximately 0.5 miles north of the site. 

The site currently houses an industrial building with multiple businesses, including an auto repair shop, HVAC contactor, and gym use. The site is adjacent to the Marymoor Village Community Center to the south, LMC South Park future development to the east, the Muslim Association of Puget Sound to the north, and office and commercial uses to the east and less than a block to Marymoor Park. 

The project is approximately 215 residential dwelling units, five to ten Live/Work units and approximately 2,000 sf of micro retail. The project is proposed to be five stories, including two stories of parking, one of which is semi subterranean.  

Spark is located in the "Marymoor Design District" neighborhood. It's a moderately dense mixed-use neighborhood. Key features are the future light rail station, allowance of existing industrial uses, and the proximity to a major regional park. The City Council stressed the word “eclectic” when initiating the Marymoor Design District. The City Council’s intent was to have an eclectic neighborhood through place making and architecture. The Marymoor Design District will be visibly different than the building forms that have been constructed in the Downtown and Overlake urban centers.  [designed colors?]

One of the prominent features of the Spark is the proposed urban forest bisecting the project site. The urban forest intends to preserve many of the existing trees on site for a more natural feel. The urban forest will be heavily landscaped and will include areas for community activities, areas for gathering, and a play area which includes stumps and rocks for interactive play. The urban forest provides connection from NE 67th Court to the Marymoor Village Community Center and a pedestrian path to the south of the building to connect to the future 174th Avenue NE.

-- Design Review Board, 6/2021