Proposal for Mixed-Use Redevelopment

Mixed Use Infill development for Retail + 105 unit apartment· Downtown Redmond, WA
Project Type: Mixed-Use (Multifamily + Retail)
Timeline: March to April 2024
Role: Feasibility Analyst, Space Planner, Development Strategy
Status: Proposal Completed – Site Assemblage Secured
Outcome: Improved layout to support 100+ units using mechanized parking + unit mix optimization

This site in the heart of Downtown Redmond came with a preliminary proposal — but city code changes around basement construction and water table concerns posed serious threats to the building's feasibility. I was tasked with re-evaluating the plan and determining how to increase unit density and solve parking constraints caused by the new basement limitations.

Through creative site planning, vertical parking strategy, and market-informed redesign, I reworked the proposal to deliver 100+ residential units, maintain ground-floor retail, and meet parking requirements — all while navigating changing city regulations.

My Contributions

  • Reviewed initial architectural proposal and identified code risks related to new high water table restrictions

  • Conducted development scenario analysis comparing standard vs. mechanized parking strategies

  • Proposed raising the ground floor height to 24 ft to accommodate a 3-up / 1-down parking stacker system

  • Reallocated retail mezzanine area to house HVAC and building utilities for maximum efficiency

  • Collaborated with architects to redesign the floor plan, optimizing corridors, setbacks, and massing

  • Adjusted the unit mix to improve market alignment and added +25 additional units to the original plan

  • Located street parking opportunities and offset in-building requirements with nearby availability

  • Designed sixth-floor amenity terrace with gym, BBQ space, and social decks to boost resident value

  • Contacted three general contractors to gather preliminary pricing, including stacker installation and operational planning

  • Evaluated mechanized parking O&M complexity and incorporated long-term costs into the pro forma

  • Completed updated financial model and investor pitch deck to support acquisition and capital strategy

Result & Takeaway

This project was a great example of how constraints can drive creativity. Regulatory changes around basement excavation could have killed the deal, but by shifting our parking strategy vertically and making precise changes to the unit mix and structure, we not only made the project feasible — we increased its value. My architectural intuition, paired with development thinking, helped us protect and grow this opportunity

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