PROTECTING SEATTLE'S PAST: IMPLEMENTING SEATTLE'S FUTURE

How does a vibrant city with a multifaceted economy and forward-thinking business climate preserve its past while designing for the future?

The historic First United Methodist Church (FUMC) sanctuary was built for Seattle’s first church congregation, and plays an important role in Seattle’s rich history. Prior to ownership by a progressive development team with a commitment to saving our community’s landmarks, the historic sanctuary was slated for demolition in pursuit of other development opportunities.

With the goal of saving the historic sanctuary, the tower’s design resolves complex urban challenges to:
• Preserve the sanctuary to be reused as a community performance hall
• Enable new life for the adjacent landmarked Rainier Club
• Create viable office tower on an extremely restrictive 1/4 block
• Help FUMC congregation realize the site’s financial potential and assist in relocation to another location to enable continuation of human service work for Seattle’s poor

Uploads

Images: