I frequently drive by the newly completed Midtown apartments on (23rd Ave. in Central District) with its colorful exterior and artwork.
Today I checked it out a little closer, on foot.
The Midtown Square apartment building has 7 floors with 428 apartments, from studio ($1,800 pm) to 2-bed, 2-bath (about $3,200 pm). So expensive, as expected for a new development, I guess —although a 130 apartments are offered as affordable housing units through Seattle’s MFTE and MHA housing programs. The images on the panels were created by photographer/ artist Adam Jabari Jefferson.The entrance to the public square on the inside, from the Union Street sidewalk.The colorful exterior panels on the corner of Union Street and 23rd Avenue. The artist is Barry Johnson.Public art on the Union Street/ 23rd Avenue corner. I couldn’t find the artist’s name.I would like one of these for my backyard. Beautiful.Central .. the first of a series of murals facing 23rd Avenue. Edwin T. Pratt (1930 – 1969) was an American activist during the Civil Rights Movement. He was assassinated at his home in Shoreline, WA in Jan. 1969. At the time of his assassination in 1969, he was Executive Director of the Seattle Urban League. His murder is still unsolved. DeCharlene Willians (1942-2018) was a legendary owner of a Central Area boutique, who also founded the Seattle neighborhood’s chamber of commerce. The artist is Central District native Myron Curry.District.. the second of a series of murals facing 23rd Avenue. Langston Hughes (1901-1968) was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist from Joplin, Missouri. (The Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute is a cultural, community, and artistic center in the Central District). The artist is Central District native Myron Curry.
Community .. the third mural facing 23rd Avenue. Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970) was a musician, singer, and songwriter and a Seattle native. Ernestine Anderson (1928-2016) was an American jazz and blues singer. Her family moved to Seattle when she was 16. The artist is Central District native Myron Curry.The entrance to the public square from 23rd Avenue. The lamp sconces feature performance and recording artists. The installation was made by Henry Jackson-Spieker in collaboration with KT Hancock studios.I believe this is Duke Ellington (1899-1974), composer, pianist, and leader of a jazz orchestra for most of his life. He gained a national profile through his orchestra’s appearances at the Cotton Club in Harlem, New York City. Duke Ellington’s The 1952 Seattle Concert was his first legitimate live performance release.The public square inside the apartment complex. The picture shows part of a 120-ft mural with historic scenes and lettering that says C E N T R A L D I S T R I C T. The artist is Takiyah Ward.
