Architects of Fauntleroy Place are redesigning the most prominent corner of the planned six-story housing and retail development at Alaska Street and Fauntleroy Way.

The West Seattle Design Review Board told architects from Stricker Cato Murphy Associates the glass cylinder proposed at that busy corner isn't playful or colorful enough. (See architect's drawing, Page 12.)

Fauntleroy Place is proposed to have about 185 apartments in two residential towers. A Whole Foods Market will occupy the ground floor at the corner of 39th Avenue while Hancock Fabrics will be at the 40th Avenue entrance.

At a meeting in December, the Design Review Board criticized the architects' idea for a round plaza at the corner. It was to have two levels and provide an entrance to the new grocery store, but it was partly sunken.

So the architects turned the round plaza into a cylindrical glass tower with a flat, tilted roof. The tower was moved closer to the busy intersection as well.

"We filled in that void and made a more positive landmark," said architect James Blissett. There would be an entrance to Whole Foods Market on either side of the tower.

The Design Review Board didn't like it.

"The corner looks like an office building in Bellevue," said board member Vlad Oustimovitch.

Design Review Board Chairman Jeff McCord said he would be looking for "refinement of the can-like form."

"It does look like a tin can," said David Foster, another board member, who warned against creating an iconic form at that corner.

"Understated is the way to go," he advised.

McCord suggested using more wood among the building materials of brick, metal siding and synthetic siding to create "more warmth" as opposed to metal and glass.

Other aspects of the design were better received.

Architects decided to put the stores' loading docks deeper into the center of the development and away from 40th Avenue. Approval to move part of the alley is being sought from the Seattle City Council.

A roll-up door is planned near the grocery store's 39th Avenue entrance. Architects said it would create more "retail permeability."

Blue Star Development Co. hopes to start construction of the project in late summer or early fall. It's estimated to take 18 to 22 months to build.

Tim St. Clair can be contacted at timstc@robinsonnews.com or 932-0300.