These 5 New Projects Are Brightening Up Seattle
May 1, 2023
5 min read
If you’re in the City of Seattle, the forecast will likely call for rain. But with these recently opened projects—from an elevated real estate showroom to scenic views from a recently renovated law firm, an expansive vertical convention center addition concept to a cohesive university dining and social hub, and a hip, new brewery in Bellevue’s Spring District—Seattle is looking a little brighter and bolder than before.
1. Hudson Pacific Properties | 411 First Avenue South Seattle, WA 98104
When planning the development of their corporate showroom in Seattle, WA, Hudson Pacific Properties wanted a space that reflected their unique end-to-end real estate solutions for tech and media tenants as they set new standards through futuristic design. NELSON Worldwide developed an innovative plan that pushes the envelope, creating a space that seamlessly blends digital and analog aesthetics while respecting the existing building’s history. The concept embraces the historic building’s existing structure while masterfully incorporating the aesthetic of Pioneer Square, Seattle’s original neighborhood and the home of Hudson Pacific’s Seattle Headquarters. Elevated materials and futuristic design elements, such as interactive model tables, dimensional acrylic tables and floating analog displays, push technology and create an experiential space within the workplace. The showroom is lightly branded and focuses on pushing boundaries while incorporating sophisticated yet understated brand elements within the design.
2. Fox Rothschild LLP | 1001 4th Ave #4400, Seattle, WA 98154
Architecture and design firm FCA recently unveiled its latest renovation for Fox Rothschild LLP’s existing Seattle office located in the heart of downtown Seattle’s central business district. Completed in July 2022, the stay-in-place renovation for the 20,350-sq.-ft. office included visioning, programming and design. The space features approximately four offices for every six practitioners, with a mix of dedicated and reservable spaces, ranging from 100 to 200 square feet. Aesthetically, the Seattle office’s design pays homage to the Pacific Northwest through the use of natural materials like locally sourced wood veneers and optimal access to natural light. The work environment’s glass perimeter allows occupants to access beautiful vistas of Seattle, including gorgeous water views and the iconic Space Needle. The main elevator lobby features a 62-foot-long topographic map of the area surrounding Seattle, paying tribute to the nearby stratovolcano Mount Rainier, which is also visible from the 44th floor office. We'll dive further into this project in our upcoming May/June issue.
[Related: Nike’s New Serena Williams Building Wins LEED Platinum]
3. Seattle Convention Center | 705 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101
LMN Architects recently celebrated the completion of the Seattle Convention Center Summit building, a 1.5-million-square-foot, $2 billion addition that occupies four city blocks in the heart of Seattle’s urban core. The vertical convention center organization produces a seamless and engaging atmosphere for different event types, from one single, large event to multiple smaller simultaneous meetings. The project also includes two mixed-use co-development towers, a 540,000-sq.-ft. office tower under construction, an approximately 400-unit residential tower (in future plans), 36,000 square feet of retail spaces distributed around the street frontages, and 16,000 square feet of public open space. Extensive exterior glazing functions as a two-way frame, showcasing the interior events and the exterior experiences. The interior spaces feature a unique array of sustainable, local and regional materials (including salvaged wood). The project is projected to achieve LEED Gold certification. Additionally, the rooftop incorporates solar panels that will improve the building’s energy performance by 30% over the baseline rating, and a rainwater harvesting system will reduce irrigation usage by a projected 89%.
4. Center Table at UW North Campus | 4294 Whitman Ln NE, Seattle, WA 98195
As part of an ambitious plan to reinvigorate the University of Washington’s North Campus and rebuild its student life infrastructure, Center Table was envisioned as a central dining hub for five new and several existing student residence halls. Nestled within newly curated outdoor spaces in a backdrop of old growth trees, the 31,000-sq.-ft. Center Table dining facility designed by Graham Baba Architects is part of a large, three-building complex, which required significant design and construction coordination. Six individually branded food “platforms” form the anchoring core of the food hall and provide students with a full range of menu options and dining experiences. Interspersed within these platforms are an array of social and seating areas, which feature a palette composed of varying materiality texture, plentiful seating typologies, colorful graphic murals and tall, view-framing windows. By creating a space that offers a range of dining experiences and that fosters a mixture of social interactions, Center Table has become a crucial part of the North Campus, which sustains the student body both dietarily and socially.
5. Bellevue Brewery | 12190 NE District Way Bellevue, Washington 98005
International design firm Ware Malcomb recently completed interior architecture and design services on Bellevue Brewery in Bellevue’s Spring District. The 7,353-sq.-ft. interior renovation includes a brewery, restaurant and commercial kitchen. The décor within the space pays tribute to the local area with reclaimed Douglas fir wood salvaged from historical buildings, such as a University of Washington police station and a covered bridge in Sweet Home, Oregon. The art gallery honors the brewery’s history through historical photos of beer drinkers from the late 19th century. Within the layout, Ware Malcomb designed both open and private areas and redesigned a mezzanine to be unnoticeable to visitors, as a means of egress. Ware Malcomb collaborated with a brewing consultant to create brewing facilities within the approximately 3,300 square feet allocated for the production.
About the Author
Robert Nieminen
Market Content Director
Market Content Director, Architectural Products, BUILDINGS, and interiors+sources
Robert Nieminen is the Market Content Director of three leading B2B publications serving the commercial architecture and design industries: Architectural Products, BUILDINGS, and interiors+sources. With a career rooted in editorial excellence and a passion for storytelling, Robert oversees a diverse content portfolio that spans award-winning feature articles, strategic podcast programming, and digital media initiatives aimed at empowering design professionals, facility managers, and commercial building stakeholders.
He is the host of the I Hear Design podcast and curates the Smart Buildings Technology Report, bringing thought leadership to the forefront of innovation in built environments. Robert leads editorial and creative direction for multiple industry award programs—including the Elev8 Design Awards and Product Innovation Awards—and is a recognized voice in sustainability, smart technology integration, and forward-thinking design.
Robert's work has earned him industry-wide recognition throughout his career, including:
- ASBPE Award (2019, 2018, 2017, 2015)—Best Regularly-Contributed Column; retrofit
- TABPI Award (2017, 2016)—Top 25 Entries, Cover Story; Retail Environments
- WPA Maggie Award (2011, 2010, 2008)—Best Publication, Trade; interiors+sources
- FOLIO: Eddie Gold Award (2022, 2007)—Best Feature Article & Special Section; interiors+sources
- Contributing author of ASID’s 2020 Outlook and State of Interior Design repor, as well as The State of the Interior Design Profession (Fairchild Books, 2010), which earned a place on the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers’ “50 Must Read, Must Have” book list.
Sign up for our eNewsletters
Get the latest news and updates