Seattle, WA — Situated in Bellevue, Seattle's vibrant neighboring city, West Main is reshaping the skyline and symbolizing the city's evolution. The three-tower 1,030,000-square-foot office and retail development designed by Graphite Design Group in collaboration with Compton Design Office for Vulcan Real Estate is attracting some of the world’s largest names in tech and hospitality.
Comprising three remarkable towers, West Main seamlessly integrates a mix of office and retail spaces with a design that emphasizes harmony and functionality. The bespoke curtain wall patterning, crisp white color palette, and the unique "flow" pattern across the perimeter facades showcase Graphite's commitment to reflecting the site's rich urban context and innovative design concepts. The design team introduced three unique offset core designs to minimize overlooking and shadows while maximizing daylight and views. The elevation and open plaza design on 106th Avenue NE exemplify the team's dedication to accessibility, creating a gracious, stair-free entrance to the building.
“Welcoming the neighboring community onto and through the site was a priority from day one, emphasizing this as a true people place, whether you work in one of the towers, are frequenting the retail offerings, or just passing through,” said Peter Krech, Founding Principal of Graphite Design Group.
The West Main landscape is intricately intertwined with the architectural structure itself. Guided by the expertise of award-winning landscape architecture firm GGN, the synergy between the surrounding environment and the buildings is meticulously crafted, resulting in a seamlessly blended and inviting atmosphere. This collaborative approach fosters a design that is cohesive, fluid, and engaging. Situated in a suburban area with an urban core, the landscape accommodates the building and neighborhood interactions at the street level.
West Main integrates artwork throughout the development. Collaborating with local Pacific Northwest artists Julian Watts and Iván Carmona to integrate multi-piece artworks to enhance outdoor spaces. Guided by the buildings’ features, the soft, organic forms of the art pieces beautifully complement the crisp, angular architecture.
West Main has attracted esteemed hospitality and retail tenants including world-renowned restaurants and leaders in the tech space. The tenants are making Bellevue no longer a place to drive through, but rather a destination.
The West Main project serves as a transformative link, not just connecting Bellevue's Old Town to its Downtown, but significantly expanding the walkability of the entire city. Positioned as a central focal point in Bellevue's evolving urban landscape, the three buildings act as a conduit bridging the urban core with its suburban surroundings. This connection is skillfully facilitated through strategic street-level landscaping and the implementation of pedestrian-friendly exteriors.
This landmark development demonstrates innovative design concepts to maximize light during the dark Pacific Northwest winters, a commitment to sustainability through the pursuit of LEED Gold certification, and the value of using art to activate a public plaza. As Bellevue's skyline evolves, West Main emerges as a symbol of architectural excellence, making it a focal point in the city's landscape.
“West Main represents a key development for Downtown Bellevue, filling the gap between Main Street, old Bellevue, and central transit hubs,” said Krech. “We believe the resulting whole creates a destination unique to Bellevue and the region, one that we believe will add value to the surrounding community for years to come.”