Maple Leaf Flats is inspired by the turn-of-the-century buildings in the surrounding neighborhood and named for the vibrantly colored maple trees that line this quiet street. Walking distance to restaurants, grocery stores, retail amenities, Green Lake, playgrounds, and the community’s historic Carnegie library, Maple Leaf Flats is scaled to the boulevards and existing mix of housing and commercial buildings around it. Horizontal brick anchors the project to the site while also reflecting the early 20th century multi-family architecture in the neighborhood. The façade is broken up horizontally with large, operable windows and cedar panels, reducing its massing and complementing the mid-century buildings interspersed on the block. Ground level units feature individual patios surrounded by lush landscaping in rusted metal planters and cedar privacy panels. These green, outdoor spaces create an enhanced pedestrian experience and produce the feeling of a ‘front yard’ in this residential area.

The four-story project includes studio, one- and two-bedroom flats with an emphasis on modern urban living. With just 42 residential units, Maple Leaf Flats is relatively small for a multi-family project in Seattle, which lends it an element of exclusivity and allows for great attention to detail. A small communal space on the first floor provides an additional living or co-working area and offers opportunities for casual interactions between neighbors. The roof deck provides multiple spaces for entertainment and relaxation, including an outdoor grill and dining area, lounge seating, and a cozy fire pit complete with views of Green Lake, the forests of Woodland Park, the Olympic Mountains, and the surrounding urban fabric.

Maple Leaf Flats achieved a Built Green 4 Star certification through several unique strategies. Rather than installing water heaters in each residence, two central boilers support the needs of the entire building. Units include as many locally and regionally sourced finish materials as possible and include no carpeting, which improves air quality with drastically reduces off-gassing. LED light fixtures, green roof strategies to filter rainwater, and building envelope improvements that surpass Seattle’s stringent energy code all contribute to Maple Leaf Flats’ sustainable footprint.