An updated Master Use Permit application shows off what is now a 58-story tower—the second tallest in Seattle—up from the 50 floors originally proposed. Inside the 1.15-million-sq-ft project is 790,000 sq ft of office space and approximately 180 apartment units. The site will also feature a separate 12-story hotel to rival high-end brands. About 30,000 sq ft of distinctive restaurants and retail shops will get incorporated into the base of the project. A 1,200-car underground parking garage is included.

 

The University of Washington owns the Metropolitan Tract in downtown Seattle covering about 11 acres, or more than four city blocks. This property was where the university was originally located before moving to its present lakeside location in 1895. In addition to Rainier Square, the tract includes Rainier Tower, the Fairmont Olympic Hotel and the IBM Building.

 

Seattle-based Wright Runstad was selected in May by the school through a competitive process to redevelop the Rainier Square portion of the property.

 

“The submission of our Master Use Permit application represents a significant milestone in the advancement of the project and puts us in position to begin construction in late 2015, with the first tenants occupying the project in late 2017,” Greg Johnson, president of Wright Runstad & Company, said in a press release.

 

As part of the change, the eight new floors in the tower would include high-end apartments, likely attractive to some of the workers in the tower’s 35 office floors.

 

The $600 million project includes the demolition of the Rainier Square mall and will open in phases that run until 2019.

 

The new tower, which will trail only the Columbia Center for the tallest in town title, will feature apartments at a higher floor than any other building in the city. The design aims to glow at night and catch your eye during the day with folded metal panels protruding from the façade, which starts wider at the base and curves into the final tower shape.

 

Tim Newcomb is Engineering News-Record’s Pacific Northwest contributor. He also writes for Popular Mechanics, Sports Illustrated and more. You can follow him on Twitter at @tdnewcomb or visit his website here.