5201 Rainier Ave S

Latest activity over a month agoTower proposed

6-story apartment building with 4 units.

Stories6
City documents on file562
Latest activitySep 1, 2026

About this project

A council rezone anchors the proposal at 5201 Rainier Ave S in Seattle's Columbia City, lifting the parcel from Neighborhood Commercial 2 with a 40-foot height limit to Neighborhood Commercial 3 with a 65-foot limit. The project pairs a 3-story, 4-unit townhouse structure with a 6-story building holding 104 apartments, 3 live-work units, and 1,607 square feet of restaurant space, with parking for 52 vehicles below grade. The rezone was first issued under 3018378-LU, following design guidance under 3018378-EG; an earlier 59-unit scheme on the site (3006245-LU) was canceled.

Latest activity

Sep 1, 2026 update—

3043809-LU was issued in September 2026, extending the time limit on the rezone first approved under 3018378-LU. The extension followed a published decision in April 2026 and a City Council action in July 2026, after a public-comment period that drew 47 comments in March 2026. A construction permit for the mixed-use building (6692365-CN) is ready for issuance, but the project remains proposed and no construction has begun.

Permits

3043809-LUMaster UseIssued

Land Use Application to extend the time limit for Council Land Use Action to rezone a parcel from Neighborhood Commercial 2 with a 40' height limit (NC2 40') to Neighborhood Commercial 3 with a 65' height limit (NC3 65') and the M1 suffix (NC3-65(M1)). Proposal includes a 3-story, 4-unit townhouse structure and a 6-story structure with 104 apartment units, 3 live-work units, and 1,607 sq. ft. of restaurant space. Parking for 52 vehicles proposed below grade. Existing structures to be demolished. Original permit issued under 3018378-LU.

3018378-LUMaster UseIssued

Council Land Use Action to rezone a parcel from Neighborhood Commercial 2 with a 40' height limit (NC2 40') to Neighborhood Commercial 3 with a 65' height limit (NC3 65') and the M1 suffix (NC3-65(M1)). Proposal includes a 3-story, 4-unit townhouse structure and a 6-story structure with 104 apartment units, 3 live-work units, and 1,607 sq. ft. of restaurant space. Parking for 52 vehicles proposed below grade. Existing structures to be demolished.

3006245-LUMaster UseCanceled

CANCELLED - EXPIRED 11/25/15 MH - Land Use Application to allow a four-story building containing four live/work units and 1,729 sq. ft. of retail at ground level with 59 apartments above. Parking for 60 vehicles to be provided at and partially below grade within the structure. Existing structures to be demolished. Project includes 1,000 cu. yds. of grading.

6692365-CNConstructionReady for Issuance

Construct new mixed use building and occupy per plan.

6119538-CNConstructionExpired

construct mixed use building with below grade parking and occupy per plan.

3006245-EGEarly Design GuidanceCanceled

Early Design Guidance for: CANCELLED - EXPIRED 11/25/15 MH - Land Use Application to allow a four-story building containing four live/work units and 1,729 sq. ft. of retail at ground level with 59 apartments above. Parking for 60 vehicles to be provided at and partially below grade within the structure. Existing structures to be demolished. Project includes 1,000 cu. yds. of grading.

3018378-EGEarly Design GuidanceCompleted

Early Design Guidance for: Council Land Use Action to rezone a parcel from Neighborhood Commercial 2 with a 40' height limit (NC2 40') to Neighborhood Commercial 3 with a 65' height limit (NC3 65') and the M1 suffix (NC3-65(M1)). Proposal includes a 3-story, 4-unit townhouse structure and a 6-story structure with 104 apartment units, 3 live-work units, and 1,607 sq. ft. of restaurant space. Parking for 52 vehicles proposed below grade. Existing structures to be demolished.

6707498-DMDemolitionCompleted

Demolish existing buildings per plan.