Mirror Lake Highland is the result of a design competition sponsored by the City of Federal Way to showcase cottage housing and sustainable development. This breakthrough design, by The Nexus Studio, was selected as the very best among the entrants. The pervious concrete driveways, rain gardens and common open space integrate seamlessly with large “conversational” front porches and small private yards. Many of the cottages will enjoy views of local landmark Mirror Lake.
Located just 22 miles south of downtown Seattle and 9 miles north of downtown Tacoma, Mirror Lake Highland is convenient to everything you need. The pocket neighborhood is accessed from a main arterial street with a local bus stop out front.
It is 1.5 miles from The Commons Mall and the city center, 2 miles from the regional bus transportation hub, and 2.25 miles from the critical commute route of I-5. There are five Puget Sound public access points within 2 miles of Mirror Lake Highland, including a State Park and a waterfront boardwalk.
The community is convenient to both public and private schools and libraries. Several major Puget Sound medical groups have clinics in the immediate area and the full-service St. Francis Hospital is only 2.25 miles away. South King and Northern Pierce counties offer many employment and recreational opportunities and Federal Way enjoys easy access to Sea-Tac International Airport and the ports of Seattle and Tacoma. Joint military base Lewis/McChord is a half hour away.
All models feature a “master on main” design to accommodate single level living.
The architecture is truly classic. If you ever dreamed of a vintage craftsman bungalow, but with all of today’s conveniences and energy efficient green features, you get the idea. Every space is designed to accommodate more than one use. The great room living/dining/kitchen areas borrow space from each other. Bay window seating enlarges many dining areas. The utility closet borrows working space from the adjacent kitchen when in use. Main floor bedrooms with walk-in closets share media center with living room in many plans.
Main floor compartmental bathrooms serve as guest powder rooms as well as the bedrooms full bath. A second floor room can be optioned as an open “loft” office, or a fully enclosed 3rd bedroom. Deep cubby spaces in the bedroom closets and under the stairs provide indoor storage in addition to the garage. The large covered front porches act as outdoor living spaces for most of the year. And in true Craftsman style, there are extensive built-in pantries, breakfronts, linen cabinets, display nooks, and custom media centers available.
Conversational front porch with integral flower boxes and "perchable" rail design make this outdoor room an essential element of cottage home living.
Conversational front porch with integral flower boxes and "perchable" rail design make this outdoor room an essential element of cottage home living.
Conversational front porch with integral flower boxes and "perchable" rail design make this outdoor room an essential element of cottage home living.
What makes more sense than designing a land plan that keeps on giving? Gives back to the residents with a secure environment for viewing, walking or sitting, gives back to the earth the rainfall that naturally infiltrated before development, provides fruit for those who want to pick it and vegetable gardens for those who want to grow them.
In addition to being showcases of cottage housing, our projects and land development approaches are paradigms for “green” development. Please see the Approach Tab for more information on the Low Impact Design techniques employed in the design of the Mirror Lake Highland site plan.
The Cottages at Mirror Lake is not a condominium. You own your home and lot as well as a 1/16 interest in all of the common area and buildings - 5 freestanding garages and 1 community building. This common property is maintained by a Homeowners Association (HOA) controlled by the residents. Maintenance of individual homes is the responsibility of the homeowner subject to HOA Protective Covenants.
