Don’t Judge Capitol Hill’s VIVA By Its Facade…
I had walked by VIVA – a new apartment complex on the edge of the Pike/Pine corridor – a few times and didn’t think much of it. Afterall, the gray corrugated metal facade didn’t exactly inspire much excitement. But a tour of the 105-unit complex this week taught me the old adage of not judging a book by its cover applies to residential properties as well.
First, here’s the exterior…
VIVA, 1111 East Union St. (intersection of 12th, Madison and Union)
Then, to my surprise, here are some of the vibrant colors across the interior common areas…
Alliance Residential, a large Phoenix-based developer, commissioned an interior designer in Texas to deliver some “pop” and “something different” at VIVA, said Ivone Mendoza, the on-site business manager. The colorful design in the main lobby and community lounge (pictured above) extends into the hallways which feature original artwork on every floor.
As for the apartments, the first thing that stood out was something I haven’t seen very often in new residential projects: carpet throughout the living room. I know most people nowadays prefer hardwood floors and some even refuse to live with carpet. But I think it’s nice to have the option for those who like the plush, quieter surface.
The kitchen and bathroom feature quartz countertops, Moen fixtures, and standard apartment-grade cabinets and drawers. You will find energy-efficient Whirpool appliances in the kitchen and in-unit washer and dryer. Interestingly, each unit is metered for water so you only pay for what you use.
The main attraction to VIVA is not necessarily the finishes or the design. Rather, it’s the location. The triangularly-shaped building sits at the lively intersection of 12th Ave and Madison and Union (right across the street from the Trace Lofts). Morning coffee at Stumpton, lunch at Barrio, dinner at La Spiga and a stiff drink at Tavern Law are all less than a block away.
Studio: 478 sq ft — $1,475 – $1,770/mo
One Bedroom: 739 sq ft — $1,725 – $3,250/mo
One Bedroom+Den: 712 sq ft — $2,135 – $2,290/mo
Two Bedroom/Two Bathroom: 1,141 sq ft — $3,335 – $3510/mo
Parking is an additional $150 per month. VIVA is offering one month free rent for their studios and discounts for preferred employers such as Boeing, Amazon and nearby hospitals.
We’ll have another post later about the best apartment: a sizable one bedroom that is at the tip of the “V”-shaped building. In the meantime, here are more photos from our tour, including the roof-top deck, which features two grilling stations and a huge wet bar…
