This tour examines key ingredients for urban revitalization and discusses the urban design and architectural strategies at work in the vibrant, rapidly growing South Lake Union neighborhood. Participants will experience the evolution of re-investment and re-development in the neighborhood and discuss transformation of a no-mans-land into one of the fastest growing neighborhoods in the country. The tour will look at the commercial growth of the neighborhood from Amazon’s historic lease agreement to today’s downtown-like expansion of residential and hospitality development. From the Denny Triangle to the shoreline of the “Little Lake” this tour shares the history of the neighborhood, explores commercial and institutional projects illustrating design adaptation in the last 10 years, and asks participants to consider what is the right mixture for successful revitalization of an urban neighborhood. The tour includes Amazon’s SLU Campus, South Lake Union Park, UW Medicine, and the Future Google & Facebook SLU Campuses (currently under construction).

Starts at the Triangle Park across from Whole Foods.

Ends at Lake Union Park.

Cross streets: Westlake, Denny and 9th

Photos: Erin Hatch & Alice Hammond