Located in Seattle’s Pioneer Square National Historic District, the Metropole revives a long-vacant, earthquake- and fire-damaged 1892 building as a LEED Platinum, 34,000-square-foot hub for community organizations advancing racial equity.

Commissioned by the Satterberg Foundation, the mixed-use program—developed through extensive community engagement—includes nonprofit offices, a child care center, arts and culture spaces, and conference facilities, providing long-term, affordable downtown space for BIPOC-led organizations while addressing both climate resilience and displacement.

The roof level has photovoltaic panel arrays, the air-to-water heat pump plant, a new amenity pavilion and terrace, and artwork. BuildingWork

BuildingWork led the full restoration of the Tenino sandstone and brick façade, repaired earthquake-damaged walls, and reconstructed two collapsed upper floors. Inside, the design exposes original brick, timber, and steel, while introducing key new elements, including a fire-rated glass stairwell, rooftop terraces, and rehabilitated sidewalk areaways.

Achieving an Energy Use Intensity (EUI) of just 18, the Metropole is now one of Seattle’s lowest-energy-use buildings. For context, a typical new-construction office building permitted under Seattle’s stringent energy code operates at an EUI of roughly 38–40.

The Metropole’s high performance is driven by air-source radiant heating and passive chilled beam cooling, triple-glazed windows, solar arrays with battery storage, natural ventilation, and Red List–free materials. The project also achieved a 46% reduction in annual energy costs and a 40% reduction in potable water use—all while reusing significant portions of the original structure to minimize embodied carbon.