The renovation design and historic rehabilitation of the Alaska Building into a Marriott Hotel was completed by CLARK / BARNES. Built in 1904 and located in Seattle’s Pioneer Square Preservation District, the original Alaska Building was once home to the Scandinavian-American Bank and the Alaska Club, a prominent commercial group of entrepreneurs. This project converted the upper floors from offices into 236 hotel rooms and 26 residential apartments. The ground floor and basement contain the hotel lobby, restaurant, and amenities.
The scope of work includes architectural design for a high-rise addition, change of use, as well as seismic and life safety upgrades, plus tax credit consultation in conjunction with a local historian. The high-rise addition takes the seismic load and maintains the original historic fabric of the building. The restoration project preserves the building’s historic character, including the original ornate terra-cotta and brick facade, interior marble details and wood windows. The project was awarded Best Historic Renovation by Northwest Construction Magazine.