The Historic Landmarks Commission has approved a proposed apartment building by Koz Development, on SW Yamhill St in Goose Hollow. The three story plus basement building will contain 30 apartments with mezzanine sleeping lofts, averaging approximately 300 sq ft each. The developer intends to reserve 6 of the units in the building (20% of the total units) for people earning less than 60% of area Median Family Income. No car parking is proposed. 37 long term bicycle parking spaces will be provided in a secure bike room.
The site for the building is a vacant lot in the King’s Hill Historic District, located between 2161 and 2167 SW Yamhill St. The three story stucco building to the east at 2161 SW Yamhill St designed by A.E. Doyle, a prolific architect who also designed the Multnomah County Central Library, the Meier & Frank Building (now Macy’s) and the Benson Hotel.
Materials proposed for the building include red and blond brick, tinted stucco, fiberglass clad windows, black powder coated steel canopy, and metal cornice.
The SW Yamhill Apartments had two Design Advice sessions in front Historic Landmarks Commission in early 2015. The project then returned for approval through the Historic Resource Review process in 2016, with hearings held on March 14th, April 11th and April 25th. The project was approved at the third and final hearing. The Final Findings and Decision By The Historic Landmarks Commission [PDF] concluded that the project is “contemporary but compatible” and would not compromise the Historic District:
The applicant has responded to staff and Commission’s previous concerns by revising the color of the brick, adding additional detailing and simple embellishment to the design, and eliminating the rooftop deck and gabled penthouse roof. The proposed design is contemporary but compatible with the architectural character of the district. The purpose of the Historic Resource Review process is to ensure that additions, new construction, and exterior alterations to historic resources do not compromise their ability to convey historic significance. This proposal meets the applicable Historic Resource Review criteria and Modification criteria and therefore warrants approval.
Drawings
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- Plan –
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- Plan – Basement
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- Plan – Basement Mezzanine
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- Plan – Main Level
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- Plan – Main Level Mezzanine
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- Plan – Second Level
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- Plan – Second Level Mezzanine
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- Plan – Third Level
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- Plan – Third Level Mezzanine
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- Elevation – South (Yamhill St)
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- Elevation – East
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- Elevation – North
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- Elevation – West
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- Sections
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- Sections
Koz is to be applauded for sticking with it, and getting what looks like a good building, with much needed housing. (Although one must wonder how much less referential the building could be, and how much less the units would rent for if this was not going to be built in a historic district.)
This is a great human-scale building that is subtly attractive as well. I’d love to see more of these around town.