Riverpark, a 6-acre mixed-use project in downtown Redmond, received a top award at NAIOP Night of the Stars 2010 for Best Mixed-Use Project. This $200 million project includes six buildings which house 319 luxury apartments, a 144-room hotel, street-level retail, a 106,000 square foot office building, and parking for 750 vehicles. Tiscareno Associates led a team of consultants as the master plan architect and “wrapper style” garage structure architect. Legacy Partners was the master and residential developer.

 This project is an example of how commercial and public interests can be leveraged to create an exciting live-work district on a small site. This multi-use development was heavily supported by the City of Redmond and embodies the ideals of sustainable development. The public benefits are many:

• Outdoor spaces take advantage of the natural setting and connection to Luke McRedmond Park and the Sammamish River Bike trail. An inviting amphitheater-style plaza overlooks the park for concerts and festivals.
• A walkable, live-work environment reduces dependence on the car. The plan is tied to current bus routes and a future light rail expansion. It is near employment hubs such as Microsoft offices and Redmond Town Center.
• The project was designed to minimize the impact on the environment and is earning a 3- Star Built Green and LEED Silver Certification.
• Shared amenities like courtyards, gardens and parking spaces enhance safety and encourage social interaction.

 As word of its convenience spreads, Riverpark promises to coalesce into a community abuzz with the comings and goings of diverse lifestyles.

*Riverpark was also featured in the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce.

 Firm Lands Multi-year U.S. Army Corp Contract

Tiscareno Associates and general contractor MTM were awarded a 3-year Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC) with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District. The MTM-led team is part of a select group of go-to resources for office and industrial projects for the U.S. Army, Air Force, National Guard and Veterans Affairs.

This award is the 6th government project for the firm this year. The MTM/Tiscareno team recently completed a G.S.A. managed historic restoration and energy upgrade for the U.S. Postal Office, Spokane. Other public projects include a U.S. Navy operations building remodel, a prosthetics lab and warehouse conversion for the Veterans Administration, a new office building for the U.S. Forest Service and a tenant improvement for the King County Radio Shop.

Firm Secures Design Approval for Two Seattle High Rises at 1200 Stewart

Tiscareno Associates successfully led the architectural design approvals for Lexas Companies to secure a master user permit (MUP) through the Downtown Seattle Design Review Process. As of December 2009, the firm was named Architect of Record to complete the design and approval process. Located at Stewart and Minor in the Denny Triangle, the project encompasses two 36 story towers with 500 residential units with retail at the base.

Critical to the approval process was securing an alley vacation. This required off setting public improvements to the streetscape, including extra-wide sidewalks, specialty landscaping, new rain gardens, street furnishings and mid-block access points. 1200 Stewart is slated for LEED Silver certification. The Design Architect is Thoryk Architecture from San Diego.

Wineries, auto dealerships, apparel and home goods companies are adapting to the economic climate through new approaches to designing and utilizing retail spaces. Tiscareno Associates recently designed several spaces that help lower operating costs while maintaining a strong retail experience.

 Projects include: 

Wine Tasting Rooms for Goose Ridge and Airfield Estates:  The firm designed two co-located wine tasting rooms in Woodinville, WA, that reduce costs through sharing retail support areas such as storage, kitchen space and bathrooms. These savings allow the wineries to maximize space that is utilized by clients for wine tasting. Each winery has a completely unique environment: Airfield reflects the winery’s roots as a World War II air field; Goose Ridge has an environment with a warm Northwest feel with European touches. Total area is 4,000 square feet.

Hyundai Motor Corporation:  The firm is working with Facility Design Services to help Hyundai with a concentrated effort to upgrade and build boutique showrooms for its luxury automobiles Genesis and the new Equus. Across the western U.S., the firm is designing boutique show rooms that are adjacent or within current dealerships and reflect a high-end brand image. The initiative enables efficiencies because dealerships can leverage current facilities and support operations without constructing new buildings. Employee space, customer service areas and support areas are shared. Depending on location, the dealerships may have a new and cutting edge façade, including metal panels and accent finishes.

Apparel and Home Goods stores C’est La Vie and Poggi Bonsi:  Two retail stores at The Landing in Renton have constructed two stores within a 5,750 square foot space. A pass through enclosed with a custom metal gate on a common wall enables employees from either store to keep watch on the other. Costs are reduced in construction and supervision of build out. Even more efficiencies are gained by buying products in bulk, cooperative advertising and having clientele shop at both stores.