What if I told you Onni South Lake Union was almost not here? Onni South Lake Union is a complex of two high-rise residential buildings and a hotel. It stands tall in South Lake Union, Seattle.
Let’s delve into the story of Onni South Lake Union. It is also known as 1120 Denny Way. Construction on this ambitious project began in 2017. It finally opened its doors in May 2022. The Onni Group developed 1120 Denny Way. This group also redeveloped the adjacent Seattle Times Building site.
Before Onni South Lake Union existed, the land had a different purpose. The Seattle Times Company acquired much of the property in the late 1920s. This was before their headquarters building was built in 1931. The lot south of the headquarters became a parking lot. It even had a small park in the northeast corner.
The Times Company considered redeveloping the lot in the 1990s. They planned a new office building, but the expansion project was cancelled. In 2011, they decided to sell the parking lot. This was part of a larger plan to sell their headquarters to private developers.
In July 2013, The Times Company sold the block to Onni Group for $62.5 million. Onni then proposed a four-tower project with 1,950 residential units. The plans included two 40-story towers on the Denny block.
The initial proposal included removing Seattle Times Park. This caused an outcry from residents and preservationists. A revised plan was approved in July 2014. The park would be preserved in exchange for raised building heights on the north block.
The project was approved in 2016. Construction began in early 2017. The original completion date was set for 2020. However, the project fell behind schedule. Reconfiguration of the penthouses and the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays.
The residential part of Onni South Lake Union finally opened in May 2022. A month later, the hotel portion, Level South Lake Union, opened. It features 272 rooms furnished like apartments for extended stays. The complex also boasts three swimming pools and a fitness center. Space is allocated for a grocery store and restaurants.
Onni South Lake Union is one of the largest residential projects in the city’s history. The complex features two 41-story towers. One faces Boren Avenue and John Street. The other faces Denny Way and Fairview Avenue. A 12-story hotel podium stands on the southwest corner. Seattle Times Park was expanded to create new public spaces around the project.
The three buildings house 827 apartments and 272 hotel units. The complex also offers 28,000 square feet of retail space. There are 1,461 underground parking spaces. The podium includes landscaped rooftop decks. You can also find outdoor swimming pools, garden spaces, and a children’s play area. Historic headlines from The Seattle Times are etched into the facade of the podium.
By October 2023, 95% of the residential units were leased. Monthly rents ranged from $2,450 to $40,058. Onni South Lake Union stands as a testament to ambitious development. It overcame challenges to become a prominent feature of Seattle’s skyline.
Onni South Lake Union is located in one of Seattle’s most buzzing and walkable neighborhoods. You can find many hip restaurants, trendy food trucks, and boutique shopping here. It is a growing hub for Amazon and the tech industry. It is just steps away from countless Seattle attractions.