Shared Roof

Inspired by old-world European precedents, the building centers around an interior courtyard with exterior walkways serving all upper-level homes. This configuration encourages casual interaction and creates small gathering spaces outside each unit. The architecture blends early twentieth-century Amsterdam influences with modern materials, including vertically oriented Zola windows, brick, stucco, dark-stained cedar, and black metal accents. 

With its emphasis on community-building through shared resources, Shared Roof sets an exciting new precedent for urban living. Of the project’s 35 units, ten are occupied by the founder-developers and their families and the rest are rentals, including apartments dedicated to affordable housing. The building’s namesake is its Shared Roof—an 11,000 SF rooftop oasis with views of Green Lake, Mt. Rainier and Mt. Baker, downtown Seattle, the Olympic and Cascade Mountains, and Elliott Bay. 

Designed as a LEED Platinum project, Shared Roof features heat pumps and ERVs, Zola windows arranged for cross-ventilation, heat pump dryers, extra-thick 2x8 walls for enhanced insulation and acoustic privacy, a state-of-the-art central hot water system designed by Ecotope, a solar array, and enhanced bike parking.  Higher-quality building materials were used throughout, prioritizing long-term durability and reducing the replacement and life cycle costs.

Through Seattle’s contract rezone process, the building height increased from 40 to 55 feet, allowing for more family-sized units and making Shared Roof a compelling alternative to single-family living. 

The street level features a curated mix of restaurants and retail. Although compact, the project extends its commercial frontage into the courtyard, creating a more active and connected pedestrian environment. The publicly accessible courtyard opens to both N 70th Street and Greenwood Avenue N, drawing visitors into the heart of the site.