NBBJ decreased the height of the domes to provide more daylight as well as more viable retail offerings on the lower level. The architects also expanded the neighboring public park, increasing seating and landscaping. An additional covered walkway provides protection during the soggy winter months.
If completed, Amazon’s campus would be the largest development in Seattle’s history. Its three elements—Block 14 to the south, Block 19 to the west, and Block 20 to the north—each include a tower of up to 37 stories tall surrounded by smaller buildings connected by sky bridges.
Block 14, the first phase in the three-phase project, is currently under construction. An office tower, a 2,000-seat auditorium, as well as retail space and more than 1,000 underground parking spots is anticipated to open in 2015, filling a lot that was previously parking and a building occupied by the Sixth Avenue Inn. Two buildings on the remaining two blocks will also be demolished, including the King Kat Theater on Block 19 and Toyota of Seattle on Block 20. Completion of phase two is projected for 2016 and phase three in 2017. The design of the three-block headquarters is expected to meet LEED Gold standards.
The city’s next Downtown Design Review meeting, which will weigh the redesign and subsequent changes, is scheduled for the beginning of October.