Mama Tower’s design proposes a unique way for a new high-rise condominium tower to knit into the existing urban pattern and form of its downtown Seattle block. The form responds to Seattle’s Design Guidelines in a unique and meaningful way by unifying the base and towers and adding variety to the street.
1516 2nd Ave Seattle, WA
High-Rise, Mixed-Use Residential
Pinnacle Plus Development, LLC
In-Design
Architecture, Landscape Architecture
Composed of two towers – a 484-foot high-rise and a 160-foot low-rise – the taller “Mama” tower reflects modern high-rise development while the smaller “Baby” tower enhances the visual connection to neighboring smaller scale, historic structures.
The building adheres to Seattle’s Design Guidelines in a unique and meaningful way by unifying the base and towers and adding variety to the street.
The three-piece podium reflects the scale, proportions and widths of its neighbors, integrating the design into the fabric of the city.
The central mid-block opening, nicknamed “the lining,” is intended to serve as a calm center to the project. Surrounded by the glossiness of the glazed towers, the lining anchors the center with a neutral palette of glass, reinforced concrete panels and matte finishes.
Alley functionality is improved by allowing an additional eight feet of alley width – nearly the entire length of the site – for deliveries. Another 13 feet allows the addition of a porte-cochère and residential “back of house” presence along the alley. A through lobby adds “eyes on the street” for a safer, active alley.
– The Registry
