Former Kmart site on 6th Ave. in Tacoma seeing rise of hundreds of new apartments

The site of the former Kmart on Sixth Avenue is steadily becoming home to a new apartment complex.

Gage on Sixth officially opened the first phase of its complex in May of this year. Initial development plans for around 400 units were filed with the city in the fall of 2021 and the project broke ground in April 2022.

An LLC affiliated with Goodman Real Estate of Seattle purchased the more-than 10-acre site at 5132 Sixth Ave. in Tacoma from another LLC representing Merlone Geier Partners of San Francisco for $14 million in spring 2021.

Since then, construction has progressed on multiple 3-story apartment buildings. The site’s official address is 601 S. Shirley St.

C.J. Jeppesen is community director at Gage. She told The News Tribune in a brief interview Wednesday that the property is 11 percent leased so far.

“It’s a phased project so we’re still under development,” Jeppesen said. “We have 17 residential buildings, and then a 5,000-square-foot clubhouse. We anticipate completing our residential build by the end of this year.”

The site has a pool, fitness center, dog park and dog run among other amenities, with rents ranging from just under $1,700 for one-bedroom units to around $3,000 for three-bedroom/two bath units.

A mural created by artist Jake Wagoner is featured at the property.

“We are just passionate about revitalizing Sixth Avenue,” she added. “And people are excited to see what we’re offering.”

More information, including virtual online tours, is available at Gage on Sixth’s website.