Modern City Living – A Locals Guide to Fremont

As a team of designers and urbanites, certain aspects of city living are paramount to us. These include walkability, freedom from dependence on cars, access to local amenities, proximity to major institutions, a wide array of cuisines, living in a thoughtfully designed environment, and—perhaps most importantly—being immersed in the buzz of urban life.

With BUILD’s recently completed Fremont View Apartments, we had the opportunity to design with all of these elements in mind and it’s worth exploring how good physical design emerges from the right balance of intangibles.

The Fremont Vibe
Few communities offer what Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood does. It’s part of a thriving city yet separated just enough to maintain its own vibe and character. Fremont still feels like an urban village, home to one-off shops like Pipe & Row, Ophelia’s Books, Les Amis, and a host of vintage markets. Right in the very center, Picklr is set to open a 10-court indoor pickle-ball facility in the previous Theo Chocolate headquarters.

A Food Lover’s Haven
Fremont’s food scene is incredible, offering a diverse mix of local favorites:
• Revel dishes up bold Korean comfort food—don’t miss the short rib wontons.
• Sea Wolf delights with its artisan baked goods.
• Local Tide serves fresh NW seafood, while Le Coin offers high-end French cuisine in a classy setting.
• Craving fish and chips? Head to the iconic Pacific Inn, made famous by its feature on No Reservations.
• If you’re looking for a seafood inspired date night, head over to Rock Creek.
• For Oaxacan-inspired dishes, El Camino delivers vibrant flavors in a lively space.
• Café Turko serves delicious Turkish fare alongside the strongest coffee in town.
• The Cuban sandwiches from Paseo are legendary.
• Got a late-night sweet tooth? Midnight Cookie Co. stays open until 1 a.m.
The list of must-try spots goes on and on, making Fremont a true haven for food lovers.

Coffee, Cocktails & Brews
When it comes to beverages, Fremont delivers:
• For artisan-crafted espresso made with fair-trade, organic beans, stop by Fremont Coffee Company.
• Need a spot to work and sip? Head to Stone Way Café.
• Want to see the beans roasted on-site? Lighthouse Roasters has you covered.

For after-work drinks:
• Check out The Triangle or Aslan Brewing, where you can conveniently order a fish sandwich from Local Tide next door through a pass-through window.
• Grab a beer and a Reuben (of course) at Reuben’s Brews while they’re in the neighborhood for a limited time while the property is in design. We’re looking forward to what the new mixed use building will bring!
• Enjoy live music at the High Dive or soak up the sun at Fremont Brewing’s outdoor beer garden.

Seamless City Connections
When it’s time to catch a show or visit an exhibit downtown, getting there is a breeze.
• Hop on the #40 or #62 bus from Fremont Ave N—buses run every five minutes, and the ride takes just 25 minutes. Minutes required to find parking: zero.
• You’ll be dropped off two blocks from Pike Place Market, where you can grab fresh produce from Sosio’s or specialty groceries from DeLaurenti (don’t miss the pizza counter!).
All this, without the headache of hunting for parking. Did we mention the freedom of living car-free?

Fitness & Outdoor Adventures
For the fitness-focused, Fremont has plenty of options:
• The Bouldering Project, just off Stone Way N, offers bouldering terrain for all skill levels, with drop-in sessions most evenings.
• Gas Works Park is a short walk away, perfect for outdoor activities. The hill provides a front row seat for Duck Dodge, the weekly summertime sailing regatta on Lake Union.
• A little further east, visit Agua Verde Paddle Club, where you can rent kayaks and explore the city by water.
• After paddling, refuel at the Agua Verde Café or Saint Bread.

Fremont’s Quirky Spirit
The neighborhood brims with quirkiness and counterculture:
• Don’t miss the Fremont Troll, an 18-foot-tall, 13,000-pound sculpture lurking beneath the Aurora Bridge.
• Nearby, the controversial statue of Lenin, shipped from Czechoslovakia after the Velvet Revolution in 1989, sparks curiosity and conversation.
• In the heart of Fremont, the “Waiting for the Interurban” statue captures the neighborhood’s playful spirit, regularly dressed to reflect local events, holidays, and social causes.
• A new sculpture was unveiled right at the base of our Fremont View Apartment project – be sure to check out the Yoga Bear teeter totter.
The Fremont Bridge, one of the most frequently opened bridges in the U.S., reflects the neighborhood’s commitment to sustainability by counting daily bike crossings. It also supports local creativity through an artist-in-residence program hosted in its tower, coordinated by the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture.

Urban Exploration & Cultural Gems
Urban activities abound in and around Fremont.
• The year-round, weekly Sunday Market is a must-visit, offering art, antiques, and local treats.
• Just next door in Ballard, explore the Fishermen’s Terminal, Ballard Locks, and the scenic Golden Gardens Park.
• For cultural enrichment, the Nordic Museum hosts outstanding exhibits and engaging community events, celebrating Scandinavian heritage year-round.

Designing for Urban Life: Fremont View Apartments
All of these urban and cultural experiences create an exceptional environment to live, explore, and flourish.
Which brings us back to the Fremont View Apartments.
It’s a rare opportunity for an architecture studio to design a building so deeply embedded in a neighborhood they know and love.
Perched on a bluff rising from Fremont, the building was carefully designed to take full advantage of views of the neighborhood, downtown Seattle, Lake Union, and the mountains beyond.

• Most flats offer extraordinary views, and the 8th-floor community rooftop deck is the perfect place to hang out with like-minded urbanites, sip a drink, gather by the firebox, and watch the sun set over the Olympic Mountains.
• The flats themselves feature a modern aesthetic and a sophisticated palette of materials.
• Unlike big-box apartment buildings, the clean, simple design of Fremont View Apartments allows residents to fully enjoy everything the neighborhood has to offer, without unnecessary embellishments or ornamentation.
With a few units still available, it’s a project—and a philosophy of urban living—that we invite you to experience.