Plum Creek | First Forty Feet

Plum Creek

Project

Year

2020

Location

Vancouver, Washington

Client

Ginn Group

The Challenge

A More Complete Neighborhood

Plum Creek sits along a critical edge of the evolving Highway 99 corridor, where auto-oriented retail meets long-established single-family neighborhoods. Designed in collaboration with Ginn Group, the project introduces diverse housing options and new walkable connections without overwhelming the surrounding residential character. Historically, this part of Vancouver offered few pedestrian-friendly places or a strong sense of identity, making it essential to create a neighborhood that feels both connected to the commercial street and comfortable as a home.

Plum Creek responds with a new model for growth in these transition zones, combining mixed-use walk-up apartments and gabled townhomes to support housing choice and activate the public realm. Commercial spaces along the corridor provide opportunities for small businesses, while courtyards, stoops, and family-friendly amenities create a safe and social community core. Landscaped buffers offer privacy yet maintain openness to shared spaces, encouraging chance encounters and everyday connections. By prioritizing people over parking lots, Plum Creek shows how the corridor can evolve into a more complete, inclusive, and vibrant neighborhood.

Sawmill Past

The mixed-use walk-up apartments bring activity directly to the street, with homes just steps above small commercial spaces and neighborhood services. By placing front doors and balconies close to the sidewalk, the buildings reinforce a strong pedestrian presence and encourage everyday interaction.

Front Gabled Towhomes

The townhouses, distinguished by their welcoming front gables, bring a familiar residential character to the neighborhood edge. Each home features its own front door and stoop facing the street, reinforcing walkability and providing the sense of arrival that single-family residents value. The gabled forms break down the scale of the block, offering architectural warmth and individuality while maintaining a cohesive streetscape. Together, these homes help bridge the transition from the commercial corridor into the quieter fabric of the surrounding community.

Side Gabled Townhomes

The side-gabled townhomes offer a more contemporary residential expression, with their rooflines running parallel to the street for a streamlined, cohesive frontage. These homes are designed to maximize natural light and interior flexibility while maintaining strong visual rhythm along neighborhood streets.