Opening in January 2023, the new Seattle Convention Center Summit building offers a major opportunity to showcase the evolving culture of meetings and the future convention delegate, highlight emerging trends in the convention center industry, and support the continued development of Seattle’s urban core.
Situated in the heart of downtown Seattle, the Summit addition expands the Seattle Convention Center by 248,450 square feet of exhibit space, adds 62 meeting rooms and a 58,000-square-foot ballroom, effectively doubling the center’s capacity. The project also introduces a new 30-story residential tower and a 16-story office building, along with several new public spaces that strengthen the downtown fabric.
© Adam Hunter / LMN Architects
The Summit emphasizes daylight and visual connection. Major program elements are linked vertically by two expansive atriums, and a glass-enclosed escalator—the Hillclimb—along Pine Street brings interior circulation to the building’s edge, framing dramatic west-facing views toward Pike Place Market and Puget Sound. Open-air terraces on multiple levels provide flexible settings for events, and the design engages the street across all five floors with transparent, interactive façades that encourage public activity and visual connection to the city.
© Level Hotels & Furnished Suites
Complementing the Summit, three new hotels opened in summer 2022, expanding lodging options for both business and leisure travelers. Level Seattle – South Lake Union sits in one of Seattle’s most dynamic neighborhoods. Steps from the South Lake Union streetcar and a light rail station, and about 25 minutes from SeaTac International Airport, the property offers guests easy access to the city. Designed for nightly and extended stays, the hotel features 272 studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom suites with full kitchens and in-suite laundry, 24-hour guest services, and amenities that include a basketball court, fitness center, and indoor/outdoor entertaining spaces.
© Astra Hotel
Also opening in South Lake Union is Astra Seattle, a Marriott Tribute Portfolio hotel with 265 rooms. Astra places business travelers close to Seattle’s tech core while remaining convenient to downtown, the waterfront and major attractions. Rooms offer modern finishes and views of the city and the Space Needle. The hotel includes multiple dining options—such as Caffe Ladro and Otium Grill & Greens—and Altitude Sky Lounge, a 16th-floor rooftop bar serving creative cocktails and small plates with panoramic views. For meetings and events, Astra provides 4,344 square feet of flexible, technology-enabled meeting space across seven rooms.
© citizenM
The third property to open last summer was citizenM Seattle Pioneer Square, located in the historic Pioneer Square district across from the Seattle Ferry Terminal. This nine-story, 232-room hotel sits within walking distance of attractions such as CenturyLink Field and Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Its brick-and-glass façade complements the neighborhood, and the hotel features a large mosaic art installation by a local artist that references the city’s history and Indigenous beadwork traditions using thousands of six-by-six-inch porcelain tiles.
Together, the Summit addition and the new hotel inventory strengthen Seattle’s capacity to host larger, more diverse events while enhancing the visitor experience. By combining expanded convention facilities, accessible accommodations, and thoughtfully designed public spaces, these projects reinforce downtown Seattle’s role as a vibrant civic and cultural center.