December 14, 2023
LIHI opens 104 affordable units on Aurora
The building is around 82,300 square feet.
John Fox Place has officially opened at 8700 Aurora Ave. N. in Seattle. Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) developed the new building and now operates it.
The project features affordable studios and one-, two- and three-bedroom apartment homes, plus a community room, computer lab, classroom, rooftop deck, courtyard, and children’s play area.
The seven-story building was designed by Pyatok Architects and Hewitt Architects, and built by Exxel Pacific. Construction began in December 2020. The project started leasing in August. The certificate of occupancy was issued Dec. 1.
LIHI says it is planning a grand opening event in the new year.
Amenities include a courtyard and children’s play area.
The total building size is around 82,300 square feet. The community is within short walking access to the RapidRide E line on Aurora Avenue to downtown and Shoreline, and to east-west bus connections to the University District and Ballard. There is no on-site vehicular parking for tenants but the building is served by one surface parking stall that can be used for loading. Tenants have access to 112 bike stalls.
Apartments at John Fox Place are for families and individuals making 30%, 50% and 60% of the King County area median income. Units range in size from 397-square-foot studios to 1,145-square-foot three-bedroom apartments.
John Fox Place is located on a 19,000-square-foot midblock site formerly used as a parking lot. LIHI formerly operated a tiny house village enhanced shelter at the site while plans and funding for John Fox Place came together.
The building is named for John V. Fox, a long-time leader of the Seattle Displacement Coalition. Fox championed the requirement that the Seattle Housing Authority provide one-for-one replacement of low-income housing during the redevelopment of Yesler Terrace, Holly Park and other SHA sites. Fox was also a vocal critic of upzoning the U District and other neighborhoods.
The project team also included Latitude 48 Engineers; Quantum Consulting Engineers; Karen Kiest Landscape Architects; 4EA Engineering; O’Brien 360; A3 Acoustics; Geotech Consultants; Endelman & Associates; McKinney Engineering; United Systems Mechanical; Tradesmen Electric; SJS Mechanical; and Patriot Fire Protection.
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