A rendering of Zeal Lofts, a micro-unit development proposed at 3139 N. Williams Ave. in Portland. This view shows the building from North Williams Avenue to the southeast. (Vibrant Cities)

A Seattle developer is planning two big micro-apartment developments along the North Williams Avenue corridor.

Vibrant Cities says its two buildings -- Brio Lofts at 177 N. Failing St. and Zeal Lofts at 3139 N. Williams Ave. -- will feature apartments that start at 212 square feet and $1,099 a month, including utilities and internet access.

On a per-square-foot basis, it among of the priciest rental housing in the city. But Vibrant Cities chief executive James Wong says it's a new floor for a neighborhood where recently-built studio apartments usually go for hundreds more.

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A rendering of Brio Lofts, a micro-apartment development proposed at 177 N. Failing St. in Portland. (Vibrant Cities)

"The problem we're trying to solve is getting people their own apartment in the heart of the city for about $1,000 a month all inclusive," Wong said. "There will always be people who want to save money but still want to live in a great location."

Zeal Lofts will have 215 apartments, while Brio Lofts will have 95. Zeal will include 35 underground parking spaces, while Brio will have 19.

The micro-units come with a microwave and a small refrigerator, but full kitchens are in a common room on each floor, as well as other communal hang-out areas. The buildings will also include some more traditionally-sized apartments with their own kitchen.

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Renderings of a smaller residential unit at Zeal Lofts, a micro-apartment development proposed at 3139 N. Williams Ave. in Portland. The units go as small as 212 square feet. (Vibrant Cities)

Micro-apartments aren't new to Portland. Wong was an investor in early examples by the Seattle firm Footprint, which built micro-apartment buildings in Northwest Portland's Alphabet District and the Northeast Portland's Hollywood District.

Brio Lofts will also include "micro-retail" spaces, including restaurants with fully built-out kitchens but little interior dining space.

The idea was inspired in part by a restaurant Wong's father owned, which failed in part, Wong said, because it was too big to manage. The micro-restaurants are meant to be like a food cart -- small enough for one or two people to manage.

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This street view rendering of Brio Lofts shows "micro-retail" space for small restaurants. (Vibrant Cities)

"We want to have totally turn-key spaces for our tenants," he said. "They can decorate it however they want, but they won't have to deal as much with the bureaucracy of permitting and build-out."

Vibrant Cities' contractor, Seabold Construction Co., plans to break ground on Brio Lofts within 90 days and Zeal Lofts within six months. The buildings were designed by Jackson Main Architecture of Seattle.

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This rendering shows a typical residential micro-apartments planned at Brio Lofts and Zeal Lofts. The living units average 250 square feet. (Vibrant Cities)

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This rendering shows a typical micro-apartment in Zeal Lofts or Brio Lofts. The units go as small as 212 square feet. (Vibrant Cities)

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This rendering shows a typical micro-apartment in Zeal Lofts or Brio Lofts. The micro-apartments average 250 square feet. (Vibrant Cities)

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This rendering shows a typical micro-apartment in Zeal Lofts or Brio Lofts. The micro-apartments average 250 square feet. (Vibrant Cities)

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Renderings of Zeal Lofts, a micro-apartment development proposed at 3139 N. Williams Ave. in Portland. This view shows the building from North Williams Avenue to the east. (Vibrant Cities)

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Renderings of Zeal Lofts, a micro-apartment development proposed at 3139 N. Williams Ave. in Portland. This view shows the building from North Williams Avenue to the northeast. (Vibrant Cities)

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Vibrant Cities

Renderings of Zeal Lofts, a micro-apartment development proposed at 3139 N. Williams Ave. in Portland. This view shows a common courtyard.

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Renderings of Zeal Lofts, a micro-apartment development proposed at 3139 N. Williams Ave. in Portland. This shows a common room, which includes a full kitchen. Most of the residential units do not. (Vibrant Cities)

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Renderings of Zeal Lofts, a micro-apartment development proposed at 3139 N. Williams Ave. in Portland. This shows the building's lobby. (Vibrant Cities)

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Renderings of Brio Lofts, a micro-apartment development proposed at 177 N. Failing St. in Portland. (Vibrant Cities)

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Renderings of Brio Lofts, a micro-apartment development proposed at 177 N. Failing St. in Portland. This view shows the interior of the building lobby. (Vibrant Cities)

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Renderings of Brio Lofts, a micro-apartment development proposed at 177 N. Failing St. in Portland. This view shows a common area, which includes a full kitchen. Most of the residential units do not. (Vibrant Cities)

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-- Elliot Njus

enjus@oregonian.com

503-294-5034

@enjus