EVERETT — It’s the latest in a long line of projects expected to bring people and, hopefully, a new sense of energy to downtown Everett.
The seven-story Aero Apartments has opened at the corner of Hewitt and Rucker avenues. Already more than half of the 102 apartments have been leased.
“Bringing people back to the core of the city is the critical ingredient for making local retail viable and supporting the success of neighborhood restaurants and gathering places,” said Craig Skotdal, president of Skotdal Real Estate.
The Aero Apartments is an important piece of the puzzle to rejuvenating downtown, said Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson. He praised the Skotdal family for the project.
“With a Skotdal property, you know you’re getting a world-class development,” Stephanson said.
In the past five years, several major projects have opened in downtown, including the Artspace Lofts; the Library Place, another Skotdal project; and Potala Place and Farmer’s Market, an apartment building that is leasing despite a fraud investigation into developer Lobsang Dargey.
Add in two hotels — the Hampton Inn, which opened in 2014, and the Marriott Hotel, scheduled to open next year — and the city is hoping that there will be enough feet on the street for downtown to thrive.
Construction started on the Aero Apartments in March 2014. The lot used to hold a car rental business.
The apartments at 2901 Rucker Ave. range in size from 512 to 974 square feet, from studios to two-bedroom units, with a small number of live/work loft-style spaces at street level. The name is a nod to Everett’s ties to the aerospace industry. The design of the building is intended to reflect the theme with metallic exterior finishes, nighttime “runway” lighting at the main entrance and aviation-inspired signage and artwork, including a main sign that looks like an airplane tail.
The theme continues into the lobby, which features an aviation-inspired photo mural along with a large fireplace and lounge seating.
Amenities include an outdoor patio with a fireplace, barbecue grill and seating area. A glass-enclosed lounge includes a kitchen, pool and shuffleboard tables and large-screen televisions.
For green features, the Aero Apartments include solar panels installed in the rooftop, energy-efficient lighting and appliances and energy-saving windows and doors.
Several downtown businesses have offered discounts for new residents of the apartments.
Skotdal said it’s a huge relief to finish the project after months of hard work.
“As for where we go from here, that remains to be determined,” he said. “We’re always looking for ways to invest in Everett and keep the positive momentum going.”
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