Washington Park

Washington Park is a 134-year-old historic building in Downtown Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood. The building includes an existing basement with an areaway, as well as three existing floors. Originally developed in 1890, Washington Park was damaged in the 1949 earthquake, with modifications in 1955, including the removal of its entire cornice and partial removal of its parapet. W.G. Clark repaired the original parapet, extending it as well so that a new, matching, historic cornice could be installed. This new cornice was designed using historic pictures of Washington Park to recreate its original likeness.

W.G. Clark’s renovation work also incorporates an added penthouse, an exterior deck with a panoramic view of the Puget Sound and Seattle waterfront, as well as new midlevel mezzanines on all above-ground floors covering one third of each floor. Washington Park’s entry level is split into two separate commercial areas. One includes a grand staircase made from steel and wood combining the entry and lower level, while the other is intended for retail or restaurant use. The rest of the building is designated as office space.

An enormous amount of effort went into maneuvering around the building and completing the structural steel package, MEP systems, and finish work – including over 20,000SF of real hardwood throughout the building. Working through this project gave ample opportunity for W.G. Clark to come up with creative solutions for challenges presented by a historic building renovation, which resulted in a unique space ready to become a functioning member of the Pioneer Square community and reimaged Seattle Waterfront.