SIGNAL

People
A once in a lifetime opportunity presented itself to Common Area Maintenance (CAM), a dynamic, community-focused art collective in Belltown, a downtown Seattle neighborhood known historically for art and in the recent decade for office and condo development. Urban shifts during and following the Covid 19 pandemic amplified neighborhood ills, with commercial and office vacancies, fewer pedestrians, and reduced workers creating deep stress on neighborhood cohesion. After decades of use as a residential mental health and transitional housing facility, the El Rey building was closed in 2020 and fell largely vacant. CAM learned in early 2025 that the building would ultimately be demolished rather than repaired, and they approached the owner with a plan to reimagine the El Rey. The vision includes community-focused commercial storefronts at ground level, offices and workspaces for arts and community non-profits, and affordable housing for artists.

Architecture
The seismically reinforced masonry building maintains the resilient, working class and artistic character of Belltown. With classic storefronts, alcove doorways, and bay windows, the timeless façade has stood the test of time as musical acts passed through Belltown and out into the world, echoing the voices of Guy Lombardo, Quincy Jones, Heart, Nirvana, and others that spanned generations.

Research
Navigating a phased pathway from fire watch to occupancy required planning and strategy while managing budget, public perception, and momentum. CAM and the team are building trusted relationships with agencies, builders, neighbors, artists, and future tenants and users to reimagine and revitalize this historic and nearly lost piece of Seattle.