$70M mixed-use project planned for Kendall Yards
A Liberty Lake-based developer plans to spend $70 million on a six-story apartment building at the north bank of the Spokane River, filling one of the last vacant lots in the Kendall Yards district.
Podium Project Details
Greenstone Corp., the primary developer of the 78-acre Kendall Yards area, is moving forward with plans for the structure, which officials refer to as the “Kendall Yards Podium.” The building will house 200 living units across six floors, with 364 underground parking stalls located beneath the residential levels.
Construction is set to begin on a 2-acre lot at 1175 W. Summit Parkway, directly east of the Inlander’s headquarters building. The structure will stand over 68 feet above ground level. The property is owned by Frank Family Investments LLC, valued at $2.7 million, while Spokane-based SRM Development LLC serves as the contractor. Structural Forte Inc., also of Spokane, will provide engineering services, and Urbal Architecture PLLC, of Seattle, is the architectural firm of record.
Design plans call for retail spaces and support functions on the first floor, with 52,000 square feet of commercial space. The second floor includes exterior patios, while the remaining residential floors do not have patio access. In addition to apartments, plans call for the sixth floor to feature a small amenity area and an exterior roof lounge with views of the Spokane Falls. Two below-ground parking floors will comprise 130,000 square feet of space.
The building’s design also includes a mix of retail spaces, a common area, and support functions on the first floor, alongside living units. Retail and restaurant space, as well as other amenities, are planned throughout the 52,000 square feet of commercial space on the first floor. The combination of residential and commercial spaces is expected to create a lively and dynamic environment, contributing to the area’s growth as a walkable neighborhood.
Once completed, the building will accommodate about 3,200 residential and commercial occupants, making it a significant addition to the area’s small businesses. The project’s impact will be felt not only in terms of the number of people it will accommodate but also in its contribution to the local economy and the overall development of the Kendall Yards area.
Previous Plans and Local Impact
The project represents the second major iteration of development plans for the site. Greenstone previously proposed a similar multiuse apartment building between the Inlander and Monroe Street in 2017 and again in 2018. Founder Jim Frank said the project, tentatively referred to as the Podium, would consist of 230,000 square feet of retail, office, and residential space split between two buildings. He considered it a significant undertaking for Greenstone, stating that “it will be the biggest thing Greenstone has ever done as far as a single construction project.”
The new design, however, focuses on residential density rather than the previous split between office and retail. Despite this shift, the project fits within the broader vision of turning the area into a walkable neighborhood. Greenstone began developing the site after acquiring it in 2009, and about 60% of the Kendall Yards area has been developed as of the latest reports. The company’s efforts have made substantial progress in transforming the area, with the new project expected to further contribute to this goal.
Greenstone Corp. also owns a 1 1/2-acre vacant parcel directly east of the proposed development, providing potential for future expansion and development in the area. The surrounding neighborhood has also seen recent investment, with Mountlake Terrace, Washington-based Premera Blue Cross purchasing a 2-acre undeveloped property on the southwest corner of Summit Parkway and Monroe Street for $4.8 million in 2022. These developments demonstrate the growing interest in the area and the potential for continued growth and investment.
The development of the Kendall Yards area is part of a larger trend of urban renewal and redevelopment in Spokane. As the city continues to grow and evolve, projects like the Kendall Yards Podium will play a key role in shaping the future of the city’s neighborhoods and commercial districts. With its mix of residential and commercial spaces, the project has the potential to create a thriving and lively community, contributing to the city’s ongoing revitalization efforts.
