Founded more than 100 years ago, the First United Methodist Church is Seattle’s oldest church. The former church was salvaged and integrated into the design of the neighboring high-rise project, F5 Tower (formerly The Mark).
Coughlin Porter Lundeen executed the shoring design for the F5 tower in support of the high-rise and existing facility. While restoring the historical treasure, the church is integrated into F5’s final design as a high-end event venue. Reincarnated as The Sanctuary, a stunning glass walkway now connects the venue to the tower.
The auditorium hosts up to 700 people and reaches approximately three floors in height. A central dome rises 66 feet above the main floor. Overall design embraces and remains true to its historic spiritual roots.
The site is steeply sloped, and the church building responds with a transparent ground floor on the commercial street and a serene courtyard on the up-hill side. Alteration included seismic upgrade of the main building structure.
Photography © Benjamin Benschneider ALL RIGHTS RESERVED