SomeraRoad is advancing plans for an upcoming mixed-use development in Wedgewood-Houston. The new development will include a 155-key hotel and separate 153-unit multifamily building. There is also roughly 5,000 SF of retail and restaurant space, extending the activation of surrounding street-level retail. The project is located at 548 Hamilton Avenue.
We are excited to advance the entitlements for our Martin & Merritt project in Wedgewood-Houston, which we believe will be a great addition to the rapidly evolving neighborhood. We look forward to continuing to work with Metro Planning and the Wedgwood-Houston community to bring another great addition to the neighborhood.
Andrew Donchez, Principal at SomeraRoad
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Designed by Pfeffer Torode Architecture, the design will aim to evoke the gravitas and rich materiality of the longstanding masonry structures in the Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood. As far as building form, the overall layout of the multifamily building has changed since the spring 2023 proposal. The shape of the building went from a “trident” scheme which created two smaller courtyards on Hamilton Ave to a dumbbell scheme which creates one larger courtyard. This is shown in the image below for context.
We are pleased to be partnered with Somera Road, who has an amazing history of urban placemaking. Wedgewood-Houston is an interesting neighborhood because it is so close to downtown, yet maintains its own history and identity. We are excited to have a project that holds an important urban corner and streetscape, while also nestling into the neighborhood fabric and hillside. I think these characteristics capture the unique possibilities embodied by the neighborhood.
Jamie Pfeffer, Principal at Pfeffer Torode Architecture
A request has been submitted to rezone the collection of properties within the Wedgewood-Houston Chestnut Hill Urban Design Overlay District from IWD and RM20 to SP zoning. Once approved the request will advance the mixed-use development on the 2.9 acres site. The request was made by Pfeffer Torode Architecture, on behalf of the property owner. Here’s the quick rundown:
Martin & Merritt
548 Hamilton Avenue
| What’s Now | Commercial Site |
| What’s Next | Mixed-use |
| Developer | SomeraRoad |
| Architect | Pfeffer Torode |
| Landscape | Hawkins Partners |
| Civil | Kimley Horn |
| Residences: | 153-Units |
| Hotel | 155-Keys |
| Parking | 240-Spaces |
Shown for context only.
The 8-story hotel has a distinctive green color and is primarily situated along Merritt Avenue . The entrance into the L-Shaped social lobby is on Martin Street ( shown above) and has a reception area and transitional bar area which leads into a 1,975 SF restaurant space. There is a separate 2,751 SF food & beverage retail space at the top of Merritt Avenue, which is also the third floor of the hotel given the site topography. The hotel rooftop has a pool deck amenity with an outdoor bar along Martin Street as well as an enclosed bar area which is a little over 1,900 SF.
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The 7-story multifamily building has frontage along both Martin St and Hamilton Avenue. On Martin Street, there is an entrance into the 4-level parking garage, which is flanked by a future retail space to the north and the building lobby to the south. The retail space also opens to the Martin St pocket park through pedestrian alley connection to the retail plaza and Merritt Avenue Park.
The 153 units are spread across 3 building structures which are interconnected by enclosed bridges which also serve as elevator lobbies and amenity spaces. The parking structure is partially below grade given the site topography. It is capped with a pool deck amenity which connects to a larger amenity space on level 4 of the 7-story building.
Shown for context only.
“The topography of the site offers both challenges and opportunities.” Torode continued, “We are excited to be developing a design solution that thoughtfully responds to the natural and neighborhood context with a design that stair steps into hillside, presenting an urban street face along Martin, a retail street face along Merritt, and a residential street face and green space along Hamilton.
The pedestrian realm is activated by pocket parks and connections to surrounding retail. Martin Street pocket park has a connection up to the Merritt Ave Park. This connection passes through a pedestrian alley between the hotel and the multifamily building. It also traverses the pool deck amenity whose tall walls are shown as potential opportunities for artwork. The multifamily building has 3 rooftop terraces as well as a public dog park and a large courtyard facing Hamilton Ave. The Martin Street Pocket Park is shown below for context.
Shown for context only.
The Merritt Ave Park serves as part of the retail plaza outdoor seating and connection to the Vintage Millwork retail center (The Mill) next door. The adaptive reuse of Vintage Millworks is also developed by SomeraRoad with committed tenants such as a Barista Parlor, Gordo Taqueria, Hermitage Design Center, and fitness concept – Bootcamp.
Streetscape improvements include sidewalks with landscaping and on-street parking. The loading area and alternate entrance into the parking garage is located in an alley off Hamilton Ave. The parking garage is shared between both the hotel and multifamily buildings.
The project is scheduled for the 1/9/2025 Metro Planning Commission Agenda.
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