Hilite

Hilite Apartments is a one-building, tri-tower, mixed-use complex in Seattle’s Central District, between Judkins Park and Yesler Terrace. This project contains 206 apartment units, varying from SEDUs to two-bedroom floor plans. Hilite also includes two retail spaces and below-grade parking.

Hilite features several unique design elements, including the suspended steel bridges connecting the tri-tower complex. The rooftop deck offers a panoramic view of Puget Sound, Mt. Rainier, and the Downtown Seattle skyline. The lobby includes ample communal gathering space and a grand stairway with oak, stadium-bench seating.

W.G. Clark worked with ownership, the design team, artists, and subcontractors to develop a suspended steel art bridge design during construction. Knowing this was the focal exterior design element of the project, W.G. Clark focused on providing a lasting product that would landmark the project while also being value-conscious. Using 3D modeling and as-built dimensions, W.G. Clark carefully coordinated all structural connection and waterproofing details from the towers’ wood framing to the steel spanning between buildings. The beams were installed zig zagging at various angles from tower to tower as a framework for the custom art panels. Slotted knife blades were utilized to account for building movement. The custom steel art panels were then prefabricated by a local Seattle artist based on the framework dimensions provided by W.G. Clark. The art bridge panels and steel elements were prefinished off-site with a marine grade coating in the marque “Funky Yellow” colorway – seen throughout the architectural elements of Hilite. This allowed for seamless installation, minimizing the need for custom temporary work platforms.

Many unforeseen conditions were encountered completing Hilite’s SDOT Site Improvement Plan scopes. Specifically, existing tree roots, telecom vaults, and duct banks not shown in the approved plans were found in conflict with all the new trolly line strain poles/street lighting along Rainier Ave. Our project team worked with SDOT, King County Metro, Seattle City Light, and Seattle Arborists to come up with a solution where we were able to switch the strain pole design to a smaller model and use a custom footing design to avoid any conflict with the duct bank, allowing Hilite to be completed on time.