Proudly serving Seattle’s Pioneer Square Preservation District, the renovated warehouse repurposes more than the retrofitted unreinforced masonry (URM) building shell, but also its heavy timber structure. Moving the building’s vertical circulation provided the opportunity to introduce more daylight into the space, while providing greater seismic stability to the building by seamlessly integrating a shear wall core. At the same time, the grand staircase improves flow into the restaurant, offering a dramatic entry within the atrium lobby. Reclaimed timber joists, removed from other areas of the building during the renovation, were relocated to structurally support the Sky Court, an enlarged skylight which activates the lobby atrium and second floor bar by bringing in natural light. Repurposing the existing timber structure reduces waste and the need for new materials, while keeping the structural spacing and architectural integrity intact.
In addition to converting the warehouse for hospitality use, the substantial alteration upgraded seismic elements and building systems while maintaining the building’s historic character. Beyond a partial seismic upgrade in the late 1970s and minimal upgrades in 2008, the structure remained largely untouched since its construction in 1907. Sustainable efforts, which are inherent in adaptive reuse projects, drove the decision to retain much of the existing wood structure and reinforce only specific areas to meet seismic requirements. Locating concrete shear walls at the back-of-house areas and steel braced frames at the lower levels keep the hotel rooms clear of obstructions.
Strong relationships with the City of Seattle and a robust knowledge of structural codes led to fruitful design opportunities in the form of a thriving rooftop bar. As part of Seattle’s code update, classifying the building as a new kind of construction—Type IV-C—offered the chance to expand vertically for a one-story, 5,000-square-foot penthouse addition with an exterior roof deck and garden. Because the building was originally classified as Type IV, we collaborated with the architect, Miller Hull, to prove to Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI) that it meets the Type IV-C fire rating requirements under the updated code. Calculations confirmed that the existing heavy timber satisfies the more stringent standards, allowing for the increased height needed to create a one-of-a-kind rooftop bar in Pioneer Square.
As part of Pioneer Square’s RailSpur corridor, a carbon positive micro-district, the hotel reconnects three historic buildings and adjacent alleys where a former rail line previously connected to the industrial loading docks. From reusing existing structural elements to repurposing decking as decorative finishes, Populus Seattle redefines sustainability and sets a new standard for adaptive reuse and carbon-conscious development.
Photos by Ric Stovall / Stovall Studio and The Miller Hull Partnership, LLC – Duy Dang