Loyal Heights
Loyal Heights Elementary — Addition and Modernization
Project complete. School opened Fall 2018.
About the Project
This project renovated the 36,700-square-foot existing school and constructed a 51,400-square-foot addition. The building and site have been designated historical landmarks by the City of Seattle’s Landmarks Preservation Board.
The school’s entrance was relocated to 25th Avenue NW from NW 80th Street. A new welcoming vestibule and administration area includes security features to control entry to the school. The previous administration spaces have been combined and converted to the school’s art classroom.
Much-needed classrooms and open, shared learning areas for each grade level provide flexibility in teaching and learning. The design team researched the original color schemes and design features, and the historic building includes those time-specific details. The new addition was designed to dove-tail into the historic spaces with its own distinctive style.
The new gymnasium adjoins the new commons/lunchroom with a partition wall between. By opening the partition, an enlarged space can accommodate school performances and other events such as cultural or science fairs.
The library was relocated to the historic lunchroom on the north side of the building, which is located on the main floor to provide better accessibility for students and the community. The former stage has been converted to a reading nook. Lighting mimics historical fixtures with additional LED lighting disguised in the ceiling supports.
The one-acre playground remains located on the south side of the building and includes an expanded covered play area.
Beneath the playground, 108 geothermal wells connect to the building’s heating and cooling system. The new geothermal heating and ventilation system, LED lighting, and thermal envelope improvements contribute to the schools’ low energy-use index.
Building Size
Total school: 88,100 square feet comprised of the 36,700-square-foot historic building and the 51,400-square-foot addition with the capacity for up to 660 elementary students.
The reconfigured school includes four kindergarten classrooms with toilets, 20 classrooms for grades 1-5, three flex-classrooms, four learning commons, four special education classrooms, two art classrooms, one music classroom, two computer labs, one before- and after-school care space, a library, gymnasium, and lunchroom/commons.
Architect: BLRB Architects
Construction Management Firm: CBRE | Heery
Contractor: Skanska USA
Funding Sources
- Building Excellence IV (BEX IV) Capital Levy approved by Seattle voters in 2013
- Buildings, Technology, and Academics III (BTA III) Capital Levy approved by Seattle voters in 2010
Project Budget
$46.5 million
Loyal Heights Elementary
7735 25th Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98117
School Profile