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architect drawing of a 2 story building entrance with a covered area in front
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Seattle Public Schools/Departments/Capital Projects and Planning/School Design and Construction/Projects/Northgate (now Baldwin)

Northgate (now Baldwin)

Northgate Elementary School Replacement Project

School renamed James Baldwin Elementary School

The existing school building has been replaced with a new school building with a new name on the same site.

James Baldwin Elementary School opened for students on September 6, 2023.

Notice

Seattle Public Utilities will be working on a Natural Drainage System (NDS) along NW 120th Street and NW 117th Street around James Baldwin Elementary.

If you have questions regarding this work, please contact Seattle Public Utilities. More information is available on the city’s website.

Timeline

construction phase graphic showing that the school is in the Open phase
Learn about each project phase
  • Pre-design phase complete
  • Schematic design phase complete
  • Design development phase complete
  • Construction documents/permitting
  • Bid and award phase complete
  • Construction in progress
  • School open
  • Phase II construction in progress — demolition of old building and playfield/playground development

Opening Celebration

A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the opening of the new school on Aug. 31, 2023. Read the story.

Photos from the event are below.

a person with a feather headdress, beaded cuffs, and a necklace with teeth holds a large pink shell in front of their face
Shell sounding during blessing ceremony
a native style bird logo
New James Baldwin Elementary School logo
a person with a feather headdress holds a pot up
Incense used during the blessing ceremony
a man stands at a podium with a light colored brick building in the background
Superintendent Jones
a group of people are looking down at a red ribbon. one person has giant scissors. the others have normal size scissors. all have the ribbon between the scissor blads
Line up at the ribbon
a white brick building has a one story section to the left and a two story section to the right. the building has orange trim. a curved grass area is in the foreground
Closer view of the new entry
A group of people face one direction with scissors in their hands and pieces of red ribbon
The ribbon is cut
a woman stands at a podium with a microphone attached. a light colored brick wall and a window with an orange frame are behind her
Principal Nicole Silver
a woman stands at a podium with microphones attached. a light colored brick wall and a window with an orange frame are behind her
Dr. Dedy Fauntleroy, former principal of Northgate Elementary School
a white brick building has a one story section to the left and a two story section to the right. the building has orange trim. a circular plaza is in front surrounded by grass
New James Baldwin Elementary School
people in native dress dance in front of a 1 story building
Anáhuac Blessing Dance performed by Tlalokan

Recent Progress

Progress updates are posted for the previous month

Major activity in January 2024

  • Continued play yard traffic garden striping.
  • Completed installation of play structures in lower play yard, with PreK play equipment scheduled for installation the week of mid-winter break.

Major activity planned for February 2024

  • Complete PreK play structure installation.
  • Complete commissioning.
  • Complete play yard traffic garden stripping.

Project Progress Photos

Aerial view of a construction site with a large building to the left
Aerial view looking west – Nov. 2021
a construction project with a concrete wall across the back and concrete forms and gravel
Concrete stem wall and footings at commons area – Nov. 2021
a crane lifts structural steel into place
Structural steel on northwest side of new school building – Dec. 2021
a crane lifts structural steel into place
Structural steel erection underway – Dec. 2021
a crane lifts structural steel into place
Structural steel erection at northwest corner of project
an I-beam painted white with signatures
James Baldwin Elementary School students signed one of the beams for the new school – Dec. 2021
aerial view of a construction site with part of a concrete wall for a new building
View of commons under construction – Dec. 2021
aerial view of a construction site with steel framing on right side and an existing building on left side
Aerial view looking southwest – Dec. 2021
aerial view of a large building being constructed
Structural steel and decking are shown looking southwest toward existing school – Jan. 2022
structural steel frame for large building with dirt, materials, and equipment in front
New building entry structural steel – Jan. 2022
looking under a corrugated metal floor with stairs going up on the right hand side
Steel stairs and metal decking for level 2, northwest corner – Jan. 2022
a steel framed building with joists installed at one end and a metal grid on the floor
Steel joist installation started at northwest corner to prep for roofing – Feb. 2022
aerial view of a building under constructon with steel framing and a large building in the background
Aerial view looking southeast toward the existing school building – Feb. 2022
workers in a steel structure with a metal roof are working on concrete that is being poured
Concrete pour on metal deck for level 2 on the northwest corner – Mar. 2022
concrete being pumped into a steel framed building under construction
Concrete pour at southeast corner of the project – Mar. 2022
aerial view with a building that has metal roofing on top of steel structure and another building that is just steel structure
Aerial view of metal roofing looking northeast – Mar. 2022
aerial view of a large building under construction
Installing the roofing and exterior sheathing – April 2022
a partially built 2 story building
Exterior sheathing being installed on classroom wing – April 2022
metal wall studs in a building under construction
Interior framing in place – April 2022
a raised platform below steel framed walls
Final concrete poured for the stage in the commons, May 2022
a partially completed stair way with bleachers next to it
Main entry stairway and learning stairs in progress, May 2022
a large space under construction with some steel frames for walls
Installation of interior metal studs, piping, and duct work, May 2022
a partially built structure with yellow panels being installed
Installing the exterior sheathing – May 2022
aerial photo of a large building with houses and trees
Aerial view looking southwest; existing school in upper right – June 2022
aerial view of a large building with construction happening
Aerial view looking northwest – June 2022
metal framing inside a large building under construction
Framing for the curved wall in the administration wing – June 2022
a metal framed wall with window holes
Interior framing in place for library curved wall – June 2022
aerial photo of a building under construction with trees and house around it
Aerial view looking southeast – Aug. 2022
aerial of a building udner construction with another large building next to it
Aerial view looking northwest – Aug. 2022
an unfinished corridor in a large building
Wallboard installation underway on floor 1 – Aug. 2022
an unfinished wall with insulation between metal studs
Floor 2 insulation and mechanical equipment – Aug. 2022
a close view of part of a two-story building with waterproof wrap and some windows in place
Masonry and window installation – Sept. 2022
an exterior of a building under construction with a curved 2-story wall
Metal siding and storefront windows in process on south side – Sept. 2022
exterior of a building under construction with large window spaces and workers
Storefront window installation on south side, exterior view – Sept. 2022
a large room under construction with tall windows at one end
Storefront window installation on south side, interior view – Sept. 2022
a room under construction with a ceiling grid below a metal ceiling
Paint and ceiling grid in process – Sept. 2022
aerial view of a large building under construction with another large building next to it
Aerial view looking southwest – Oct. 2022
a building under construction with brown siding and windows on one side and bricks on another with metal scaffolding on both
Installing brick and metal siding in the north courtyard – Oct. 2022
an unfinished room has cabinets and a ceiling grid
Installing casework and ceiling grid in classrooms – Oct. 2022
small rooms with no doors have a tile wall next to them
Installing ceramic tile next to restrooms – Oct. 2022
a scissor jack has a person working near the ceiling of a large room under construction
Installing drywall in the commons skylights – Oct. 2022
a ceiling with exposed trusses with wood on one side of one truss
Installing wood wrap to gym ceiling trusses – Oct. 2022
Aerial view of a large building surrounded by houses and trees
Aerial view looking south – Nov. 2022
workers with a large box in front of a wall with a basketball hoop above
Installing large ceramic tiles in the gymnasium – Nov. 2022
a purple, yellow, white, and gray tiled wall with a sink and a toilet
Installing plumbing fixtures – Nov. 2022
a round skyslight in a ceiling grid with no ceiling tiles
Installed round hallway skylights – Nov. 2022
a wall beside a stairway with an indent so you can see a structural steel beam with writing on it
Beam with student and staff signatures installed on the center stairwell – Nov. 2022
a lift truck with a worker in front of the exterior of a building with two brick walls next to them
Installing exterior cladding – Nov. 2022
a corner of a building has ceiling girders showing brick goes part way up the wall. a green corner is between windows
Installing exterior metal accent panels – Dec. 2022
an interior hallway with a polished concrete floor and wood paneling. the ceiling grid is still open except for a few tiles
Installing corridor paneling – Dec. 2022
a curved metal fram has windows in some of the spaces and waits for others to be installed
Storefront windows form a curved wall at the administration office – Dec. 2022
a stage with stairs being built across the front within a large open room
Installing stage stairs in the commons – Dec. 2022
a person is puting liquid on one section of a concrete floor with tiles that have no grout in the foreground
Installing tile in the kitchen – Dec. 2022
a classroom with cabinets, carpet, and a white board -- no furniture
Installing white boards in classrooms – Dec. 2022
aerial photo of a large building under construction with an older large building to the left
Aerial view looking west – Jan. 2023
concrete steps with curved faces lead to a building under construction
Exterior learning stair near gymnasium – Jan. 2023
a two story beige building with windows framed in bright colors. a concrete walkway runs in front and a construction lift with a person on it is in the background
Installing metal accent panels around windows – Jan. 2023
a rounded wall has a small space with a bench and shelves. the floor is concrete
Corridor paneling and mini-library casework – Jan. 2023
looking down a stairway with windows on one side. cardboard is on the steps. a railing is between the top of the stairs and a walkway.
Stair panels installed – Jan. 2023
a large room has cabinets, carpet, and a ladder
Casework in a classroom – Jan. 2023
a sliding glass interior door
Interior sliding doors installed in classroom – Jan. 2023
a large room with basketball hoops with a wooden floor installed halfway across
Installing the gymnasium wood floor – Jan. 2023
aerial of a large building with two wings surrounded by a street and houses
Aerial view looking north – Feb. 2023
a two story building under construction has a ladder leaning against an overhang over an doorway - bricks are around an orange window
Installing brick at main entry – Feb. 2023
tubular ceiling lights hang from a high ceiling with a stairway below them
Entry lights installed – Feb. 2023
a stairway with a landing in the middle that makes a right angle turn
West stair way view – Feb. 2023
a wall on a stairwell has a signed steel beam embedded in it
Beam signed by students in place – Feb. 2023
a round cobblestone patio is surrounded by two arcs that form a circle with space between them. The building behind forms a corner with one wall light brick with bright window frames and one wall of dark brown with doors and windows
South courtyard plaza – March 2023
black fabric on the ground with 3 large boulders in a group and a number of logs on end of differing heights
Installing the south plaza outdoor learning area – March 2023
an interior corner has carpet, three tiers of curved benches, white wall panels, and a brown ceiling with circular lights hanging down
Corner seating in the library – March 2023
a classrom wall section has a nook below cabinets that includes two facing benches with a ledge between them. next to them is open shelving below a window. Both areas are highlighted by bright green accents
Cozy nook and shelving in art classroom – March 2023
wide and deep stairs have wood tops and colored risers. From top risers are blue, green, yellow, orange, and bright pink
Learning stairs in the gymnasium – March 2023
aerial view of a large building with a new roof and a large building with an old roof - there is construction equipment between them
Aerial view looking west – April 2023
part of a new 2-story white brick building with a covered entry and a curved concrete surface in front
Entry plaza concrete paving – April 2023
a sidewalk, a mulched area, and a green sprayed soil area abut each other
South plaza outdoor learning area with hydroseed installed – April 2023
tube shaped light fixtures hang from a high ceiling in a two story space with a stairway
Lighting installed – April 2023
looking down into a large space with a stairway for walking, a stairway for sitting, and a slide
Learning stairs and slide in the commons – April 2023
a large room with two story ceilings a wall of windows and a polished concrete floor
Commons with acoustic panels being installed at the stage – April 2023
A curved three tier bench in a the corner of a room
Group learning area in library – April 2023
a curved wall with windows has bookshelves below the windows
Casework in the library – April 2023
aerial view looking down onto a large building with some construction happening on the right and lower right
Updated aerial photo – May 2023
aerial view of a large building with construction and a concrete truck on the lower part of the site
Looking northwest – May 2023
aerial view of a large building with a courtyard - another large building is in the lower right corner
Looking north with a portion of the existing school roof in the lower right – May 2023
aerial view of a large building with trees along the street and grass planted between the trees and the school building. another large building can be seen in the center top
Looking southeast with the old school in the upper center background – May 2023
part of a two story building with a canopy that has wood edge and windows. a sign on the building says James Baldwin Elementary
Entrance to new building with new school name – May 2023
an interior stair leads up from a concrete floor past a group of windows. there is a slide next to the stairs
Stair in the commons toward the entry to the space – May 2023
aerial view of a large building with a light colored roof
Aerial photo – June 2023
interior space with a reception desk. wall behind says James Baldwin Elementary
Welcoming reception area – June 2023
view from halfway up stairs on a landing. you can see part of the second floor with a curved glass wall and part of the lower floor.
Central gathering area near the main entrance – June 2023
aerial photo of a large building with a road at the top and trees along the road
Aerial view -August 2023
indoor space with a slated ceiling, a table, stools, and a counter and sink. it is separated from the hall by a partial wall
Learning commons with furniture installed
part of a hallway with doors set back from the path by tile. a sink hangs on the wall at one end
Student restrooms and handwashing – June 2023
a room with two refrigerators, cabinetry, a stove, two microwaves, and some tables and chairs
Completed staff lounge – June 2023
part of a hallway with wood benches on one side by the windows and a curved nook on the other side
Central hallway – June 2023
looking toward a stairway leading up in front of windows with a wooden platform underneath
Stairway to second floor – June 2023
a classroom has groups of tables with chairs, bookcases, whiteboards, lighting and ceiling fans
Classroom with furniture installed – June 2023
a small room with a video screen, windows on one wall, a half circle table and five stools
Small group space with furniture installed – June 2023
outdoor looking toward a long low building with a stairway, concrete walk, and construction materials in front of it
Demolition of old James Baldwin Elementary School building to begin in July – June 2023
looking up a walkway toward a one and two story building with a covered entry and window frames that are orange and green
Front entry of new James Baldwin Elementary School – August 2023
a parking lot next to a one story building with an orange window frame
New staff parking lot – August 2023
an excavator is demolishing a building
Demolition of the old Northgate Elementary building – July 2023
aerial view of a large building with a white roof with a construction area behind it. the freeway can be seen in the background
Aerial view of new building with old building demolition complete – August 2023
aerial view of a construction area next to a new building
Old school has been demolished and work has begun on the outdoor play areas – August 2023
high angle view of a large building and trees
Completed school building with play area and play field in progress – Sept. 2023
aerial view of construction site
Aerial view of preparation for the outdoor play area – Sept. 2023
aerial view of a large building and paved areas with some construction work taking place in the lower portion
Aerial view looking north – Oct. 2023
aerial view of a large building with a dirt field to the left and parking lots in front
View of the school with the future field to the left – Nov. 2023
people installing a play structure with equipment
Installing the play structures – Nov. 2023
a paved area with striping painted on it
Traffic garden striping – Dec. 2023
a green grass playfield with a concrete walkway
Field turf installed – Dec. 2023
plants in pots grouped next to an outdoor table on a concrete walkway
Plants ready for installation near the turf playfield – Dec. 2023

About the Project

The new two-story elementary school building will provide the spaces and resources that students need for academic success. The approximately 95,000 square foot school will meet the district’s elementary educational specifications and provide space for up to 650 students. A collaborative process resulted in a building designed to fit into the neighborhood. It will provide outdoor learning, play, and recreation areas.

The new school has been designed to provide an equitable, safe, and inspiring learning environment for the entire school community. Learning clusters will have classrooms surrounding learning commons.

Sustainable Design and Construction

In keeping with SPS’s clean energy goals, operation of the new school will not require any fossil fuels. In addition, the roof is designed to accommodate solar panels, which could offset 80% of the building’s energy use in the future.

Features to reduce energy use:

  • Geothermal heating
  • Highly efficient ventilation that recovers heat before air leaves the school
  • Energy-efficient LED lighting
  • Highly insulated walls and roofs
  • High performance fiberglass windows

Other sustainable design strategies:

  • Storm water management with rain gardens
  • Native and drought-resistant plantings
  • Shielded site lighting to reduce light pollution
  • Demolition and construction debris sorted and recycled

Projected Energy Use Index (EUI): 17.3

Design Firm: NAC Architecture

General Contractor/Construction Management: Lydig Construction

Project Budget: $90.3M

Funding Source: Funded by the Building Excellence V (BEX V) Capital Levy, approved by Seattle voters in 2019.

School Design Advisory Team: Learn about the School Design Advisory Team (SDAT) process  and read meeting minutes.

Contact Us

Let’s Talk for Project Questions

Project Manager: Amanda Fulford, asfulford1@ngskmc-eis.net, 206-252-0697

James Baldwin Elementary School

11725 1st Ave NE
Seattle, WA 98125

School Profile

School Website