Vulcan Real Estate has broken ground on a 278-unit apartment complex in South Lake Union that will be built around the historic Supply Laundry building at Yale Avenue North and Republican Street.

The project is called Stack House for the old commercial laundry's smoke stack, which will be preserved and restored along with the building's brick exterior. The landmark will be renovated for commercial use.

The two new apartment buildings, south and west of the laundry, each will be seven stories. The full-block project is scheduled for completion in fall 2013.