METRO LINE FLATS

Hovering at the edge of downtown in Seattle’s Yesler Terrace neighborhood, the Metro Line Flats are just steps away from bus, street car, and light rail stations, giving the 72-unit residential development its urban moniker. Inspired by the timeless – and efficient – railroad flats of older American cities, Metro Line offers studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments ranging from 400-800 SF. Smaller unit footprints help keep rentals more affordable amidst quickly-rising housing costs, and a number of them are subsidized low-income residences. Extra built-in storage in each unit gives residents opportunities to make the most of every inch. Amenities, including welcoming community spaces and secure indoor bike storage, support a collaborative, car-free, sustainable lifestyle.

A defining feature of the building’s façade is an exterior staircase anchoring a prominent corner of the building, a modern reinterpretation of the fire escape. This open-air stairwell encourages residents to take the stairs instead of the elevator, reducing the amount of temperature-controlled space in the building and cutting energy consumption. The rest of the exterior screens the residences from a busy traffic arterial with variable-width standing seam metal panels. The south-facing roof deck captures views of Mount Rainier and downtown, while its plantings minimize heat gain and filter rainwater, helping Metro Line earn a Built Green 4 Star rating. At street level, selective landscaping and storm water planters serve as a buffer between walk-out patios and the bustling sidewalks, where residents, neighbors, and commuters are passing to and from the neighborhood’s transportation hubs.  

LOCATION Seattle, WA
AREA 51,000 SF
COMPLETED 2019