Courtesy LMN Architects/Seattle Aquarium

What’s New in Seattle

Seattle is a thriving and distinctive waterfront city that continues to grow.

From the opening of Seattle Convention Center’s Summit building and SEA Airport’s new International Arrivals Facility to the debut of Climate Pledge Arena—the world’s first net-zero-carbon certified arena—new developments break ground frequently. Read on to learn more about the recent and ongoing renovations that are transforming Seattle.

Matthew Glac

SEATTLE CONVENTION CENTER SUMMIT BUILDING

In January 2023, Seattle Convention Center opened its innovative and award-winning Summit building. As the first vertical convention center in North America, Summit offers 570,290 square feet of event space, including a 99,250-square-foot fully carpeted, acoustically treated, and column-free Flex Hall. Just one-and-a-half blocks from the existing Arch building, Summit nearly doubles the total meeting space for the centrally located SCC campus.

Learn more about Seattle Convention Center’s Summit building.

The baggage claim at the new International Arrivals Facility with colorful art installations in the center of each carousel.

SEA AIRPORT UPGRADES

SEA Airport has undergone several major improvements, including a completely overhauled North Terminal and a new International Arrivals Facility, which opened in April 2022. This cutting-edge space has doubled the international flight capacity and provides a smoother, faster arrival experience.

Learn more about SEA Airport upgrades.

Courtesy LMN Architects/Seattle Aquarium

SEATTLE WATERFRONT PROJECT

The $1B+ capital project is working to connect Seattle’s downtown to a new Seattle Waterfront with 20 acres of improved parks, public spaces, pedestrian promenades, bike lanes, and other public amenities. Completed improvements include the relocation of SR 99 highway underground, the removal of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, the rebuilding of Pier 62, and the Pike Place MarketFront expansion with an outdoor event space for up to 5,000 people overlooking Puget Sound. A $100 million design for a 50,000-square-foot expansion with an additional wing is also in the works for the Seattle Aquarium. This expansion will enable the Aquarium to boost capacity and hold up to 200 people in a new gathering space. Remaining updates are expected to conclude in 2025.

Learn more about Waterfront Park Seattle.

Aerial view of the Seattle skyline with the Space Needle prominently in the foreground. The Climate Pledge Arena sits surrounded by lush green trees, and Mount Rainier is visible in the distant background under a clear sky. Climate Pledge Arena opened October 2021

CLIMATE PLEDGE ARENA

Climate Pledge Arena opened to the public on October 22, 2021 with a spectacular concert from the international hit band, Coldplay. With ZERO single-use plastics, ZERO waste produced, and a ZERO carbon footprint, Climate Pledge Arena is the most progressive, responsible, and sustainable arena in the world.

Learn more about Climate Pledge Arena.

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