Washington State Convention Center Expansion

The expansion of the Washington State Convention Center creates an important new public space beneath a dramatic, block-long canopy of glass and offers views of the downtown skyline, Puget Sound and the snow-capped Olympic Mountains.

The existing building occupied a challenging site that spans a freeway and links the downtown core to adjacent residential neighborhoods. To provide contiguous heavy-load exhibit space, the 100,000 square foot expansion is connected to the existing facility over Pike Street.

As part of a multi-use complex that also includes offices, retail and hotel, the expanded convention facility now makes a strong connection to the heart of the downtown retail core. Two separate street crossings are provided, a pedestrian bridge which links the exhibit hall expansion with the expanded lobby, and a vehicular bridge that accommodates loading and exhibit servicing.  New public space formed by the unifying roof structure embellishes the building’s civic presence within its urban realm.