TURNING AUTO DEALERSHIPS INTO UPSCALE APARTMENTS

The story of Pike Motorworks dates back to the early 1900s, when the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle was known primarily as an “auto row” lined with car dealerships and repair shops.

Until just a few years ago, a large building in the area housed BMW and Mercedes dealerships. But those automakers outgrew their surroundings and moved to a larger facility, leaving the site ripe for redevelopment.

When developers took over, they wanted to pay homage to the area’s industrial vibe, while infusing a solid dose of modern sophistication. The result was a mixed-use community of upscale apartments dubbed Pike Motorworks.

Sitting above 20,000 square feet of retail space are 260 apartment units, each featuring sleek design elements of glass, metal and wood.

Throughout the building, the industrial theme of reclaimed wood columns and exposed iron beams can be seen, in addition to sculptures made of sheet metal and tire wheels. It also features a theater, tavern and a fast-casual restaurant, as well as direct access to a variety of retail shops on the adjacent side of bustling Pine Street.

It’s all part of a multi-block redevelopment effort that turned an aging, industrial area into a vibrant, residential/commercial neighborhood.

Pike Motorworks’ story — and its high-level execution — earned it an NAHB Multifamily 2017 Pillars of the Industry Award.

The deadline to apply for the 2018 Pillars Awards was recently extended to Sept. 7 to give builders and developers a little extra time to enter their own compelling stories and photos.

For categories and entry information, visit NAHB.org/Pillars.