2023 ENR Northwest Best Projects
Award of Merit, Renovation/Restoration: Hatback Bar & Grille
Photo courtesy Andersen Construction
Hatback Bar & Grille
Seattle
Award of Merit
Submitted by: Andersen Construction Inc.
Owner: FAR Development
Lead Design Firm: SHKS
General Contractor: Andersen Construction Inc.
Civil Engineer: LPD Engineering PLLC
Structural Engineer: Lund Opsahl
In order to demolish and rebuild a working restaurant and bar across a 10,640-sq-ft site in five months, the team, which started construction with incomplete drawings, engaged the design-build process as work progressed. With 25 subcontractors involved on a tight schedule, pull planning was essential to achieve on-time completion in August 2022.
The iconic property, built in 1914, has undergone numerous renovations over the past century. Crews had to preserve a 100-year-old unreinforced brick facade. During demolition, there were multiple unreinforced brick walls removed intentionally, but this revealed a lack of existing structural supports that would support any new construction. This required a collaborative team effort to resolve.
A thorough historical analysis also identified potential challenges and directly influenced the project’s safety planning. Early engagement with partners ensured they understood the project’s scope and scale.
To install exposed beams in the new event space, the team collaborated with engineers to develop a comprehensive scaffold system capable of supporting the building’s weight, designed to be disassembled in sections after each new beam’s installation.
While the restaurant’s design pays tribute to the Seattle Mariners and the franchise’s recent history, the design of Steelheads Alley draws inspiration from minority teams that upheld the traditions of baseball and softball in the Pacific Northwest.
