Aegis Living Lake Union sits in Seattle's Eastlake neighborhood, close to Lake Union, and shows off sweeping views of the water and the Space Needle, so you'll see a lot of folks enjoying the Sky Lounge or taking in the breeze on the Sky Terrace during fireworks or sunny days, and you'll notice the community feels both lively and peaceful at the same time. The building stands six stories high, finished in 2022, with 77 private units in studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom layouts, and the outside has a mural of the University of Washington's rowing team from the 1936 Olympics, which fits the design inspired by the rowing history of Lake Union with natural cedar siding moving like oars, a shell-shaped steel canopy, and rough brick and landscaping that helps rainwater flow and supports city wildlife. The community holds a big focus on sustainability, running on solar power, using triple-pane windows, thick insulation, and heat recovery to cut down energy use by 25%, and it captures and reuses rainwater, saving more than 140,000 gallons a year, making it the world's first assisted living community to receive Living Building Challenge Petal Certification, with a Living Building Certification pending.
Residents get daily support with activities like bathing, dressing, and medication management, and nursing help is always on site, with special teams for memory care covering Alzheimer's, dementia, Parkinson's, and even care programs for Asian communities, plus staff stay joyful and kind, keeping a warm mood around. The care team helps with things like end-of-life care, transitional care, and respite stays for folks who need a short break, and couples with different needs can live together in the same community. The meals come from chef-led kitchens with attention to nutrition, taste, and dietary needs, and folks can eat in communal dining rooms, the elegant private dining area for special family occasions, or enjoy all-day dining with fresh options.
People join in plenty of activities, both social and physical, planned for residents' interests, and highlights like movie nights in the open-to-the-public cinema, exercise in the fitness center, and organized outings help keep life full. Memory care residents have their own dining space and outdoor courtyard on the second floor, designed to ease confusion and support comfort, and everyone can spend time in clean, cozy indoor seating or out on patios with views. The facility also brings in quick response AI tech, therapies on site, and Family Link programs, which keep families up-to-date and involved. Aegis Living Lake Union welcomes pets, supports housing choice vouchers, and follows rules to protect everyone regardless of things like income or gender identity, with policies that support the LGBTQ community.
The building itself holds awards for its design and sustainability, including the AIA Design Excellence Award, IIDA Oregon Chapter Design Excellence Award, and Senior Housing News Architecture & Design Award, and the community often gets praise for helpful staff and good meals. Residents can live independently or with help, and anyone wanting a look can come for a tour to see how the day runs, what meals look like, and which activities fill the calendar. Living here means sharing daily life, safety, and nature, with a little bit of the past in every row of cedar and a lot of ideas for tomorrow built in.
