While sources involved in the project could not disclose construction costs to GlobeSt.com at this time, Richard Mack, CEO of Mack Urban Real Estate Group, says that “Cyrene is more than an address. We are mindful of the big picture and recognize that this project is both an opportunity to shape a new waterfront lifestyle in Seattle and a responsibility to create a prominent pedestrian connection from downtown to the piers.”

According to Mack, the firm's aim was to design a building that belongs. “Rather than planting a tower with a modest reveal to rise from the Alaskan Way grade, we designed a timeless residential building with a true brick podium that takes its design cues from the existing warehouse district, while the residential tower is set back, quiet and dignified. What this building does above all is to engage the entire waterfront both north and south without turning its back on any street front.”

Although University Street is not part of the city's waterfront master plan, Mack Urban is working with the city and adjacent property owners to incorporate future street design elements that will be part of the overall placemaking goals for the central waterfront. For example, Cyrene will include 17-foot wide sidewalks along University Street that will be fully landscaped in order to creating a green street feel from Harbor Steps to the piers and complement the new waterfront design.

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Mack Urban also revealed that they are working with the Lehman family, owners of the site for over 100-years, to curate items for a time capsule that will be buried in a public location. “This is a legacy project and we want to recognize the history as much as the vision,” Barkman notes.

Fast Facts about Cyrene are included below:

• The tower is broken into two distinct forms and, although only 65' wide, pulls away from the north property line to allow expansive city and bay views.
• The lower form is within a public view corridor and in order to provide an attractive year-round green roof, Mack Urban dropped the roofline below code to allow for lush vegetation.
• University Avenue will include unprecedented 17-foot sidewalks that will be coordinated with the city's central waterfront master plan which is currently still under design. Although not part of the master plan area, Mack Urban wants the streetscape and landscaping to harmonize comfortably with the central waterfront plan.
• This project will allow for new, on-street parking along University Avenue that doesn't exist today.
• The project team for Cyrene is led by general contractor Exxel Pacific, Ankrom Moisan Architects, Mercedes Fernandez Interior Design with Hewitt leading the landscaping.