The Metropole Building Project

The long-vacant Metropole building in Seattle’s Pioneer Square National Historic District, has been transformed into a 34,000-square-foot, LEED Platinum–certified hub for community organizations advancing racial equity.  

Commissioned by the Satterberg Foundation, BuildingWork led an intensive three-year design and permitting process, followed by a three-year construction effort. 3D scanning and BIM were used to document existing conditions and coordinate a hybrid seismic retrofit that combines new steel moment frames and concrete shear wall structural systems. Exterior work included the full restoration of the original Tenino sandstone and brick masonry facades, repair of earthquake-damaged walls, and the reconstruction of two collapsed upper floors. Interior work celebrated the building’s material legacy by leaving original brick, timber, and steel exposed, minimizing finish materials and embodied carbon.  

Designed to achieve an Energy Use Intensity of just 18, the Metropole Building Project is among Seattle’s most energy-efficient buildings. Sustainable features include an innovative HVAC system that uses air-sourced radiant heating and passive chilled beam cooling; triple-glazed windows; and natural ventilation supported by operable windows. The project achieved a 46 percent reduction in annual energy costs and a 40 percent reduction in potable water use.