5th and Virginia
Seattle, WA
Client: Chainqui
Function: Multi-family / Retail / Office
Site Area: 19,440 sf
Total Floor Area: 607,795 sf
Building Height: 484 ft
Units: 427
Status: Design Review Approved
5th and Virginia is a highly anticipated development situated in the vibrant city of Seattle, Washington. Spanning across a site area of 19,440 square feet, this multi-purpose project boasts an impressive total floor area of 607,795 square feet. Rising to a striking height of 484 feet, 5th and Virginia is set to make a remarkable impact on the city’s skyline. With a thoughtful combination of multi-family residences, retail spaces, and office facilities, this project offers a versatile and dynamic urban environment.
Working with MZA was an exceptional experience from start to finish. Their team brought not only creativity and vision to our project, but also a deep understanding of functionality and detail. They truly listened to our needs and translated them into a stunning design that exceeded all expectations. Most impressively, MZA secured first-pass approval for a historically significant building—a feat that several previous proposals had failed to achieve. We couldn’t be happier with the outcome and highly recommend MZA to anyone seeking thoughtful, expert architectural design.
-Jenny Tsen
Operations Manager | Chainqui Development USA, LLC
The Branch_ |
Street-Level Perspective — 5th and Virginia
The project thoughtfully weaves two historic landmarks into the new development, creating a vibrant streetscape framed by preserved facades, lush landscaping, and activated retail. The Monorail glides above, linking Seattle’s historic past with its dynamic urban future.
Nighttime Activation — 5th and Virginia
A vibrant streetscape comes alive at night with illuminated trees, welcoming storefronts, and preserved historic architecture. Above, the monorail seamlessly links the bustling downtown energy to the next generation of Seattle’s urban experience.
Vertical Elegance at 5th and Virginia
Rising prominently above downtown Seattle, the tower’s sculpted form and vertical fins create a striking skyline presence while embracing the vibrancy of the surrounding urban fabric. The design integrates lush terraces and dynamic ground connections to enrich the pedestrian experience below.
Framing the Urban Skyline
Seen from the street level, the tower’s gently sculpted vertical lines and warm metal accents create a graceful, contemporary silhouette. The design carefully bridges historic character and modern aspiration, establishing a dynamic new landmark along Seattle’s monorail corridor.
Elevated Presence and Connectivity
Rising alongside Seattle’s iconic monorail, the tower’s refined vertical expression and activated podium connect the dynamic street life below with the skyline above, creating a vibrant new destination in the heart of downtown.
Honoring Heritage, Enriching the Urban Fabric
By preserving and revitalizing the historic façade, the project reinforces the rich architectural legacy of Seattle while creating an authentic, human-scaled experience at street level. This sensitive integration strengthens the site’s connection to the city’s past, enhances walkability, and ensures continuity within a rapidly evolving downtown context.
The project thoughtfully integrates the preserved historic façade with a new podium addition, creating a dynamic street edge that honors the neighborhood’s architectural past while introducing a contemporary, transparent layer that activates and enriches the pedestrian experience.
