(Updated: 12/26 9:20 am: I misread the order of things and got “newer” and “older” designs reversed. Corrected flow and opinions on same below.)
There was quite a bit of conversation a week ago about the 4111 Stone Way development project, and whether the building design was a “fit” for the neighborhood. One sharp-eyed reader pointed out that older drawings of the building provided in the Early Design Guidance document available on the City of Seattle web site shows a much more attractive, neighborhood friendly building in many ways. At left is the drawing as it appears in the original proposal, at right is the more recent version.
Little details have disappeared, such as the greenery down the center, a continuous canopy with roll-up doors for better pedestrian – shop interaction, open windows and a dog on a leash. OK, the dog on the leash could probably make it into the newer drawing with a squint, as well, but there does seem that some “value engineering” has gone one.
trust the developers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
These renderings are preliminary, not carved-in-stone commitments from the owner. They are just a starting point for a conversation with the City and neighbors. That’s why they typically lack detail. To claim that there have been wholesale changes in the design is a stretch. I looked at both renderings, and I just don’t see it. In any case, the proposed building looks much better than the existing building.