With reporting by Alex Garland In better times, you would hear more about the Heartwood, a recently completed mass-timber affordable apartment building at the core of Capitol Hill and the Central District, that puts its residents in direct contact with a building material more closely connected with the planet and the feelings of home. The cross-laminated timber project is one of the first in the country to be designed with full exposure of mass timber in the structure. The newly opened building’s eight stories feature full exposure of its timber beams so residents and visitors can see, touch, and feel the wood. Other types can build higher — like this project on First Hill — but require that the wood be kept “encapsulated.”
But the Heartwood’s amazing composition has been overshadowed. “[The timing surrounding the development and lease up of the Heartwood has presented challenges,” a spokesperson for the building’s developer Community Roots Housing tells CHS. “We’re seeing a softened rental market that has led to a slower lease up of the property than we anticipated, which is having an impact on other projects in our pipeline.” With the challenges putting new tenants in the building’s more than 120 units and with increasingly unfavorable interest rates, the ambitious project’s $25.6 million construction loan has become a burden for Community Roots Housing as it has worked to secure an extension on the borrowing until it can, according to recent board meeting minutes, “ramp up leasing” and “explore permanent sources to right size the project permanent sources.”
Meanwhile, Community Roots Housing says it is also responding to challenges in the affordable housing development market including disruptions in supply chain, the past year’s concrete strike, and “changing economics persistent from the pandemic.” Refining the Community Roots portfolio could be part of the solution. CHS reported here on the developer’s start of the disposition process for for six Capitol Hill and Central District properties that will remain under federal U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing Assistance Payments contracts. A Green Architectural Icon Despite the financial challenges, the Heartwood is becoming a new Capitol Hill green architectural icon.
It features a green roof, solar panels, and rainwater harvesting systems. These features contribute to the building’s energy efficiency and reduce its environmental impact. The building’s design incorporates passive heating and cooling strategies, such as natural ventilation and daylighting. These strategies minimize the need for artificial heating and cooling, further enhancing energy efficiency. The building’s location is strategically chosen to maximize natural light and minimize environmental impact.
The project, known as the “Green House,” is a 10-story residential building located in the heart of Portland, Oregon. The Green House is a mixed-use building, meaning it houses both residential and commercial spaces. The building is designed to be energy-efficient and sustainable, incorporating a variety of green building practices.
A. Building a Better Future, One Phase at a Time
B. Construction:
This involved meticulous coordination with local authorities, utility companies, and construction professionals. The project’s construction involved a phased approach, with each phase carefully planned and executed to ensure minimal disruption to the surrounding area. This phased approach allowed for the construction of the building in stages, minimizing the impact on the existing infrastructure and the surrounding community.
Community Roots Housing is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing affordable housing solutions in Seattle. They have a long history of success in developing and managing affordable housing projects. They have a proven track record of successfully navigating complex financing challenges.
