The Nolo in Pioneer Square Surprises with Art

I wasn’t exactly chomping at the bit to visit The Nolo, the first residential building in the new Stadium Place development next to CenturyLink Field. For me, the anticipation is much higher for The Wave, Nolo’s taller and shinier sibling that is already changing Pioneer Square’s skyline.

The Nolo (left), an 11-story apartment building just south of Downtown Seattle at 520 Occidental Ave S.

But, I was pleasantly surprised after touring Nolo. While the exterior may seem standard, the architects (ZGF Architects of Portland) and designers had fun injecting color and personality into the interior, from wallpaper that showcases local children’s artwork to prints that pay homage to iconic monuments in Pioneer Square.

Wallpaper in the hallway showcases the iconic Pergola in Pioneer Sqare.

Then, there is the natural beauty that surrounds you on the rooftop deck, a signature of Pillar Properties, the same developer behind The Lyric on Capitol Hill. You’re treated to spectacular views of downtown Seattle, Puget Sound, Olympic mountains, and a personal favorite, the majestic orange cranes at the Port of Seattle.

Oh, right, and you’re literally a short Russell Wilson pass away from CenturyLink Field.

Now that we’ve gotten the eye candy out of the way, let’s get to the specifics. The Nolo houses 179 high-end apartments, ranging from studios to one and two bedroom units. Whichever size or floor plan you choose, be prepared to pay up. Here are some price points…

Studio:                                 520-692 sq ft   – $1,505 to $2,330/mo

Open One Bedroom:     602-867 sq ft   – $1,575 to $2,695/mo

One Bedroom:                 719-1004 sq ft   – $1,950 to $3,320/mo

Two Bedrooms:               891-1162 sq ft —  $2,680 to $4,150/mo

Parking is additional and depending on the spot you choose, you could pay $175 to $250 per month.

With rents up to $3.50 per square foot, The Nolo isn’t for everyone. But a week after the apartment opened for occupancy, it was close to 25% leased out. When we visited last month, the developer was offering a move-in special that covers the first month’s rent.

Let’s get to the loft-style units themselves. With exposed cement ceilings and duct work, the apartments strive for a contemporary and industrial look, one that is softened by the cream tones of the kitchen cabinets and the rich browns of the hard wood floors.

All units feature triple-pane windows and its own washer and dryer, while most apartments have central air/AC. The Nolo is certified LEED Silver.  The large windows showcase beautiful views and let in plenty of light, without a lot of noise.

In some of the floor plans, the bedroom feels small, while in other floor plans, you get the same feeling in the living room. So I advice touring different options to see what fits your lifestyle.

“Open one bedroom”

Staging by BoConcept

Aside from the rooftop deck, there are other amenities, such as a TV lounge, a small gym, a community plaza with pea patches for residents. And once The Wave comes online next door,  Nolo residents will have access to that building’s gym and other amenities. For more information or schedule a tour, call 206-855-5482 or email The Nolo team. Meanwhile, here are more photos…