Seattle Center began redevelopment of the Center House Food Court this week. The project will refresh and update the large interior area, replace some exterior walls with large storefront windows and doors, add an exterior deck, and upgrade food offerings. Seattle Center began redevelopment of the Center House Food Court this week. The project will refresh and update the large interior area, replace some exterior walls with large storefront windows and doors, add an exterior deck, and upgrade food offerings. The initial phase of redevelopment is expected to be completed by the start of The Next Fifty; celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair on April 21, 2012.
Seattle Center has selected the Seattle office of Skanska USA as project construction manager following a Request for Proposals process completed this spring. The scope of work includes demolition of an exterior seating area at the south end of the building, an interior balcony, and most of the food vendor areas on the west side of the Food Court. Skanska will also upgrade utilities and begin build-out of the new spaces, including the deck space overlooking the Fisher Green and International Fountain.
The Food Court will remain open and in operation through the construction. Food service merchants on the west side of the Food Court will vacate by the end of this month. Merchants located along the east and north sides of the Food Court will remain open and unchanged for now. Along the south end of the Food Court, Starbucks will remain. The Center House stage and dance floor also will remain open to accommodate some summer and fall programming, and Seattle Center Winterfest 2011 will take place in the area.
The Seattle Center Century 21 Master Plan, adopted by the Seattle City Council in 2008, outlines an expanded vision of the Center House Food Court to serve as an active, open hub that connects people and campus destination, accommodates a dynamic mix of programs and services and houses restaurants, cafes and retail catering to a variety of tastes and price levels. The Food Court changes also reflect the City’s need to operate in a more competitive market place. The operations have not been substantially changed/updated in the last 15 years.
Seattle Center is working with a newly selected food and beverage manager on short- and long-range plans to upgrade and expand food and beverage offerings in the Food Court. For more information on the Food Court project, the Century 21 Master Plan and other redevelopment on the Seattle Center campus, visit www.seattlecenter or call 206 684-7200.
