Skanska Starts Construction on Multi-Family Tower and Retail Space in Seattle’s Belltown

Skanska, a leading development and construction firm, announced today that it expects to begin construction on Kaye, a 260,619 square foot multi-family tower located on the 2200 Block of Seattle’s Belltown, this winter. Skanska will both build and develop the 31-story tower with 6,100 square feet of neighborhood ‘living room’ spaces and ground floor retail. Purchased in 2017, Kaye is expected to be completed by Q2 2025.

“Skanska’s top priority is to add unique developments that elevate vibrant neighborhoods like Belltown with innovative designs that connect with the community,” said Charlie Foushee, executive vice president and regional manager for Skanska USA Commercial Development’s Seattle market. “Developing on a site that holds a special place in Seattle’s musical history brings us a unique opportunity to create an experience like no other in the city.” 

Several local and influential musical acts recorded chart-topping albums at Studio X and Bad Animals, recording studios that once occupied the site. Skanska celebrates the site’s musical past through the design of the ground level living room that will cater to a mix of uses ranging from band rehearsal space to a café, retail space, and a working lounge. Located between Blanchard and Bell Streets in the vibrant Belltown neighborhood, Kaye is ideally situated near major downtown employers, local restaurants and entertainment destinations, and Bell Street Park. 

Led by the recently promoted Dayna Dealy, vice president for Skanska USA Commercial Development’s Seattle market, the project will target Salmon-Safe, LEED Gold, Fitwel and WiredScore Gold certifications. Kaye will feature 324 units, including 10 larger three-bedroom family units. Additionally, as part of the Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda (HALA) program, Kaye will contribute an estimated $4.5 million to the city’s affordable housing fund. 

The planned multi-family development will be Skanska’s second in the region, after successfully completing its Alley111 project in Bellevue, a 260-unit multi-family building with 6,000 square feet of retail space. Kaye will be Skanska’s seventh development project in the Puget Sound region since it began development operations in 2011.

The team behind Kaye includes:

• Skanska USA Building, general contractor & construction
• VIA – A Perkins Eastman Studio, design architect and architect of record
• Grzywinski + Pons of New York, consulting design architect
• Strata Architects, ground floor architect
• GGLO, landscape architect
• Ankrom Moisan Architects, interior design
• KPFF, structural and civil engineering
• Rushing, MEP
• O’Brien 360, sustainability consultants

With more than 70 years of history in the Puget Sound region, Skanska combines generations of local knowledge with the vast tools of a global development and construction firm to build what matters for local communities. Skanska’s portfolio ranges from investing its own capital and developing award-winning sustainable real estate, like 2+U, Brooks Sports’ headquarters at Stone34, to building local landmarks, such as Benaroya Hall and the Museum of Glass, major infrastructure projects like the replacement of the southern mile of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, and small tenant improvements. Recognized as one of the region’s top corporate philanthropists, Skanska is also committed to creating new opportunities for local small, traditionally disadvantaged businesses.