March 25, 2026

A tale of two approaches to family housing

Image from AMLI Residential [enlarge]

AMLI Redmond Way provides downtown, child-friendly apartment living.

AMLI Redmond Way has a mission: to bring three-bedroom, child-friendly apartment living to downtown Redmond.

The first phase of leasing at the building at 16771 Redmond Way began in February, and Phase II pre-leasing opens later this spring.

In 2025, the city of Redmond passed a new program (RZC 21.55) to incentivize “child-friendly” housing development. The program is points-based and incentivizes not only three-bedroom, 1.5-bath homes, but also indoor play areas and child-focused businesses in mixed-use projects. Developers participating in this program can benefit from increased building heights and floor area ratios (FAR).

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The “kids’ active room” sits within spaces designed for parents to work out, or to work.

But apparently these specific incentives are not always necessary to get the housing the city desires. AMLI Redmond Way includes child-friendly floor plans and amenities — and did not use the program's incentives. Of the 126 units in the first phase, 38 are three-bedroom and 79 are two-bedroom.

Many of the three-bedroom units are designed for family living, with bedrooms clustered together. Laundry/mud rooms are large, some large enough to serve as a drop off for playthings or strollers. There is also stroller parking in the communal bike room and in unit corridors.

Since tubs are essential for families, these units all include a bathroom with a tub. Some units come with child-friendly toilet seats.

An outdoor courtyard is being built on top of the parking podium with residential units opening onto it, creating a neighborhood of sorts for families to interact. The courtyard includes a playground.

Another place for children to play and interact is the indoor kids' active room. It is positioned next to a small adult gym so parents can supervise while working out. Also planned are co-working cubes along the perimeter so parents can even (try to) work while the kids play.