Building in
Queen Anne.

The upper Queen Anne neighborhood — the flatter grid above the hill crest — has a mix of early-1900s Craftsman homes, mid-century builds, and newer infill. The historic overlay rules here don't prohibit modern design, but they do require that new construction and significant additions be evaluated for neighborhood compatibility. We've learned how to design projects that pass that review without compromising what clients actually want to build.

The hillside properties are a different matter entirely. Lower Queen Anne slopes — particularly the south and west faces — have grades that require engineered retaining systems, and the views from those lots come at a cost in complexity. Driveways, access routes, and stormwater management all need to be thought through at the design stage, not figured out during construction. This is where the integrated design-build model earns its value: your architect and your builder are the same team, working through these problems together before anything gets permitted.

Queen Anne is also one of the Seattle neighborhoods where ADU and DADU work is most compelling from an investment standpoint. The proximity to Seattle Center, the walkability scores, and the rental demand make accessory dwelling units here pencil out for most property types. We've built several on the hill and can speak plainly about what's feasible on a given lot and what isn't.