Agnes Lofts is located in Seattle’s Pike-Pine District, where the mix of industrial and auto-row era buildings has served as incubator space for artists and entrepreneurs. Cognizant of the delicate balance of old and new that invigorates the neighborhood, the design team endeavored to create a new building that draws inspiration from and sits comfortably among its gritty neighbors, but is undeniably clean, modern and forward-looking.

24 loft-style apartment units occupy three double-height floors above a street-level restaurant space, which is also double-height. Within the dwelling units, lofts are framed with heavy-timber glu-lams and car decking. The adjacent Piston & Ring Building is a recently renovated 1920s garage that occupies the same property as Agnes Lofts. Interconnection between the two buildings allows for shared parking and elevator access, and offers multiple paths through the site.

The design embraces the vibrant street life that animates the neighborhood. Glazed overhead doors allow the street-level restaurant to open up to sidewalk activity. Double-height window walls and sliding-glass-doors reconnect apartment dwellers to their context. Passers-by are treated to a voyeuristic slice-of-life view into the apartment building, which is fitting for a neighborhood as popular for people watching as for bar-hopping and restaurant-going.