The Metropole building in Pioneer Square, a striking flatiron structure from 1892, is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Seattle architecture firm BuildingWork is spearheading the effort, and partner Matt Aalfs calls it “the most complex adaptive-use project” the company has ever tackled.
Commissioned by the Satterberg Foundation, the renovation will breathe new life into the historic building, turning it into a vibrant nonprofit center dedicated to amplifying the voices and experiences of communities of color. Guided by focus groups and interviews with community advocates, the design incorporates office space, low-cost nonprofit suites, a multilevel childcare center, and a community meeting space with a commercial kitchen. Notably, the Seattle Black Panther Party Legacy Committee will have a dedicated street-level space and interpretive center on the mezzanine.
The project presented formidable challenges, including restoring collapsed floors damaged in a 1949 earthquake and navigating the strict Pioneer Square Preservation Board process. BuildingWork also undertook a meticulous restoration of the sandstone facade and reinforced the old wall supporting Second Avenue Extension South with 8 inches of sprayed concrete.
Sustainability was a cornerstone of the project, aligning with the Satterberg Foundation’s mission to promote a just society and sustainable environment. The building was designed to achieve LEED Platinum certification, with an energy use index less than half that of a new office building. Innovative features include triple-glazed windows, passive chill beams, and an HVAC system that alerts occupants when to open windows for optimal airflow.
The Satterberg Foundation’s trust-based philanthropy model further sets this project apart. Unlike many traditional funding organizations, it does not require annual financial reporting, which can overburden resource-strapped nonprofits. “We trust the organizations we sponsor,” says Kendra Walker, the foundation’s spokesperson for the Metropole project.
Slated for completion this spring, the Metropole is already being embraced by the community. Five of its six nonprofit suites have been claimed by organizations like the Chief Seattle Club and Families of Color Seattle.
This post was based on information found on Puget Sound Business Journal. Photo credit: BuildingWork.
