The Power of a
Downtown Center

In 2018, Seattle broke ground on Summit, the additional facility at Seattle Convention Center – right in the heart of downtown and just a block and a half away from the existing facility, Arch.

Opening in January 2023, Summit has 16 groups already committed to placing their meeting in the new building, or using a combination of both buildings, reinforcing why The Center’s central location in Seattle sets the city apart as a meeting location. The Center anchors convention attendees to the heartbeat of the city, allowing them to experience the Emerald City for themselves.

The Arch building is named after the canopy arch that parallels Pike Street between 7^th and 8^th Avenue in downtown Seattle. It includes up to 205,700 sq. ft. of exhibit space, up to 78 rooms, and 44,628 sq. ft. of ballroom space. The Summit building name was inspired by its architectural design and the dramatic staircase that can be seen from the street. Summit will add almost 250,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space, up to 65 rooms, and a 58,000 sq. ft. ballroom. With over $93 million from the project designated to streamline pedestrian and transit infrastructure, the goal is to make the city center more connected and accessible to all.

When a meeting and event professional chooses The Center to host a meeting, attendees will be in close proximity to countless restaurants, venues, and retail stores, all walkable in downtown Seattle. With emblems of the city’s culture so easily accessible to The Center—like critically acclaimed restaurants AQUA by El Gaucho and Wild Ginger; iconic music and theater venues including The Paramount and The Moore; and flagship retail experiences, Starbucks Roastery and Amazon Go—attendees will be immersed in Seattle’s diverse, transformative and creative spirit.

Meeting attendees at The Center will also be less than 8 blocks away from Pike Place Market, one of Seattle’s biggest and most vibrant tourist attractions. Bursting with interesting local food and retail vendors as well as visitors from all over the world, the Market captures Seattle’s spirit of inclusion, evolution, and innovation. In 2017, Pike Place Market added the MarketFront, connecting downtown to the Elliott Bay waterfront. With its 30,000 sq. ft. of open public space, the MarketFront houses multiple restaurants, a brewery, and shopping, plus views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.

“Our center often attracts groups that have never considered meeting in a convention center before and they love the fact that their attendees are literally steps from their hotel,” said Tom Norwalk, former CEO of Visit Seattle. “Having two facilities—about a block and a half apart—that both offer an incredible Seattle experience, provides meeting planners with more space to host and inspire attendees.”