The Commons at Ballard

The Commons at Ballard is a two-building podium-style mixed-use project. Amenities include a rooftop lounge, an outdoor barbecue on the five-story building, and a gas fire pit on the six-story south building. The project recently won the Multi Family Executive award for best green project of the year and was named best mixed-use development of the year by the Washington state chapter of NAIOP. On-site improvements included new utility design to the site, including undergrounding of all overhead power and communication lines, as well as Low Impact Development storm water infrastructure including roof-top bioretention, green roofs, and a rainwater harvesting system. The right-of-way improvements consisted of new curb, sidewalk, and landscaping, including the narrowing of one street to provide more sidewalk for better pedestrian access and incorporate bioretention planters for storm water treatment. Through the engineering design the project could achieve a pedestrian-friendly streetscape experience that also met the green infrastructure goals of the project.