Preserving a Seattle Landmark

History

In the early 1970s, a vote by the people of Seattle famously rescued the Market from demolition—saving it in all its funky glory. Forty years later, time had taken its toll. Basic infrastructure was failing and the nine-acre campus had fallen well behind standards for safety, accessibility and environmental stewardship. Echoing earlier sentiments, the citizens of Seattle again rallied to support their treasured landmark. In 2008, they overwhelmingly approved funds for a full-scale renovation.

For the architects, this meant becoming intimately acquainted with the Market’s labyrinthine systems above and below ground, and devising a process to prioritize, place and sequence the incredibly detailed and interconnected work.

Embracing Chaos

Collaborating closely with consultants and the contractor, a key objective was to enable the Market’s trademark chaos to be more functional—carefully observing historic preservation requirements, but also weaving in the means to accommodate future change. In this highly public setting, driving public consensus became another essential strategy.

Increasing Accessibility

Significant systems improvements are combined with greatly enhanced accessibility and convenience to create a more welcoming experience. New elevators and stairs tactically help visitors to negotiate the eight levels of public space that meander through the Market’s buildings. The public restrooms, expanded and improved, now include two new generous sets of “comfort stations” nestled into the busy retail areas with custom, graphic signage that communicates in any language.