Small-scale developer, architect, and community advocate, Cary Westerbeck grew up in the Seattle area and started his architecture practice in 2009 inthe depths of the recession. Working as an architect since 2004,he’s made the transition to being a small-scale developer and general contractor for his own projects as well, fueled by a passion to create lovable urban places in his own city. In 2019 Cary completed his first building, Fir Street Flats, in downtown Bothell, Washington, with plans for future buildings. He lives in his new building with his wife, Julie, and their two daughters, Lana and Leah.

Cary is active as an advocate for urbanism, abundant housing, and compact, walkable, equitable communities. He founded BoPOP (Bothellites for People-Oriented Places) in 2018, which advocates for human-centered urbanism in Bothell. Cary volunteers on several boards and commissions, including Bothell’s Planning Commission, the Habitat for Humanity Snohomish County board, and Bothell’s Development Services Advisory Group. Cary earned a BA from UW Bothell in 1999,and a Master of Architecture from UW Seattle in 2004, which included a life-changing study abroad quarter in Rome. In his spare time Cary travels as much as possible, and spends time cycling, hiking, and exploring the wilds of the Pacific Northwest.