Four multifamily residential projects are in the works that will bring over 200 rental units to the market in Spokane County upon completion.

The total estimated construction value of the four developments is about $32 million, according to building applications on file in the cities of Spokane and Spokane Valley and comparable values of similar-sized projects that are underway this year in Spokane County.

In a prime location in the University District, Eastmark Capital Group LLC, a Seattle development company, has proposed a five-story, 63-unit, market rate apartment building.

The site is located on vacant land east of the entrance to the Riverpoint Village condominium complex, at 639 N. Riverpoint Boulevard.

"We're designing something that's a little bit different than what you typically see, in that they're more compact... with a goal of providing a more cost-effective studio and one-bedroom living environment," says Sean Barnes, owner of Eastmark Capital Group.

The property has ideal location near Spokane's downtown core and public transportation for tenants who don't have a car, he says.

"There's a strong likelihood that this product will be attractive to both students as well as more young professional types (of tenants)," Barnes contends. 

The project is tentatively dubbed Riverpoint Multifamily for permitting purposes, he says.

"It's not a huge project," adds Barnes, who says the units will range in size between 325 square feet up to 500 square feet.

Development plans aren't yet completed. Although, Barnes says some of the envisioned features include common lounge areas, outdoor cooking spaces, a gym, and bicycle storage. A rooftop deck is also under consideration.

Barnes declines to disclose an estimated valuation for the project.

The size of the complex is comparable to another 60-unit multifamily complex under development by Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners, in Spokane Valley, for $10.1 million. 

Riverpoint Devco LLC, a Seattle company that Barnes also owns, purchased the vacant land in June for $850,000, according to Washington state tax information.

Parking at the property will be limited, he says. A preliminary site plan shows 28 stalls will be available for tenants.

Spokane-based Trek Architecture is designing the apartments. He says he anticipates selecting a general contractor late this year.

"The next step is for us to complete our drawings," explains Barnes. "The goal is to start construction next April."

Tenant occupancy is expected in August 2026, and Eastmark Capital Group will use a third party to manage the complex, he says. 

"This will be profitable in the near term and stable for a long period of time," Barnes says of the complex. "I think it'll be a great long-term addition to our portfolio."

The development company is also working on several other multifamily projects under construction in Pullman, Washington; at Schweitzer Mountain, near Sandpoint, Idaho; and in Eugene, Oregon, he says. 

Additionally, Eastmark has two more upcoming projects in Spokane, and another apartment complex in development in Eugene, according to the company's website.

Clarke Apartments

Trek Architecture

About a mile west of downtown Spokane, a separate multifamily project, the Clarke Avenue Apartments, is under consideration, permit information on file with the city of Spokane shows.

Spokane development company Summit Materials LLC, which does business as Summit Construction & Development, has proposed three, three-story buildings with a total of 30 units.

The project is valued at $8.5 million, says developer Brian Walters.

The property is located at the 2400 block of west Riverside Avenue, at the west end of Spokane's Peaceful Valley neighborhood.

Site plans for the complex show the first structure will have a 1,400-square-foot footprint and six units. The second building will have a 2,300-square-foot perimeter with nine units; and the last building will have the largest footprint, at 3,700 square feet, and will have 15 units.

Thirty-seven parking stalls are to be included at the site, according to a preliminary site plan.

Trek Architecture designed the site plan for the development, and Storhaug Engineering Inc., of Spokane, is providing engineering services, planning documents show.

Environmental approval could be granted following the conclusion of a public comment period at the end of the month. If approved, construction could start this fall, building permit information states.

Building permit applications will likely be submitted in the fall, followed by groundbreaking in the fall or early spring. The complex is expected to take 14 to 16 months to construct, he says.

Madison & Sharp

In West Central Spokane, north of the Spokane River, an environmental application has been issued in July for a 40-unit multifamily complex.

The proposed complex will be located on vacant land at 1009 W. Sharp, about a block north of the Spokane Transit Authority campus on West Boone Avenue.

Two, four-story structures each will have footprints of 2,601 square feet and hold 20 living units per building, design plans show.

Each floor will house five units available in three sizes: one 348-square-foot unit, two 503-square-foot units, and two 540-square-foot units, according to the proposal.

An estimated construction value isn't available on the permit application on file with the city of Spokane. For comparison, a 48-unit apartment complex under development by Longview, Washington-based Five Mile Spokane LLC, in northwest Spokane, has an estimated value of $9 million.

Design plans for the site were created by Trek Architecture. Plans show an interior courtyard between the two buildings, spaces for a dog run and an open yard area, a community garden, and a fire pit for tenants. 

Splashdown

The fourth featured multifamily project is in Spokane Valley, where developers are seeking permit approval for the second phase of the Splashdown Apartments complex, at 1624 N. Bowdish.

As previously reported in the Journal, development will occur in three phases.

The second apartment building will have the same three-story, 24-unit building layout as the first structure developed at the site. 

Samuel L. Courchaine, of Spokane Valley-based Samuel Courchaine Construction LLC, is the owner and contractor for the project. Spokane Valley-based Architectural Ventures designed the building.

A pre-development application on file with the city of Spokane Valley shows an anticipated construction value of $1.8 million, although development of the first apartment building at the complex was valued at $4.5 million.

Phase three plans call for a third 24-unit building and a 12-unit building, the Journal previously reported.

Upon the completion of Splashdown Apartments, the multifamily complex will hold a total of 84 units.