The new 20-acre Waterfront Park in Seattle recently opened, converting an elevated viaduct highway to a vibrant public space. This landmark project marks a significant transformation, providing connections from downtown Seattle to the stunning waterfront of Elliott Bay. The waterfront now serves as Seattle’s “Front Porch,” offering public access, civic events, health and wellness activities, biodiverse habitats, and fresh experiences—all set against breathtaking views across the Bay and back towards the city. The new public realm includes bike lanes, event piers, gardens, beaches, and new walkways.
Field Operations was commissioned by the City in 2010 as the Masterplan, Urban Design and Landscape Architecture Lead, working closely with the Community and various Agencies to develop the Guiding Principles, Art Plan, Framework Plan, Concept Design and Detailed Construction Documentation. This includes 8 distinct projects built in a sequence of phases:
- Waterfront Park
- Overlook Walk
- Pier 58
- Pier 62
- Union Street Pedestrian Bridge
- Railroad Way
- Alaskan and Elliott Way Roadways
- Elliott Bay Seawall Project
Seattle’s Waterfront Park stretches 26 blocks, from historic Pioneer Square to Belltown, reconnecting downtown, Pike Place Market, and various neighborhoods to the Bay. The striking Overlook Walk links Pike Place Market to the Seattle Aquarium, Piers 58 and 62, and the Historic Commercial Piers along the waterfront. The overlook also offers some of the most iconic elevated vistas, looking out across the Bay and back towards the city.
After 15 years of careful planning, design, and construction, with an investment of over $800 million, the City and Field Operations realised an ambitious vision developed in collaboration with our partners at Jacobs Engineering, WSP, HNTB, and many others, including key stakeholders, community groups, and indigenous Tribal representatives.
To achieve this transformation, extensive projects reconstructed the Elliott Bay Seawall, Habitat Beach, Salmon Migration Corridor, and built the State Route 99 tunnel. They also demolished the Alaskan Way Viaduct, installed utilities, and created new Alaskan Way and Elliott Way, bike paths, and three pedestrian bridges—the Union Street Bridge, Marion Street Bridge, and Overlook Walk. Pier 62 and 58 were reconstructed, with sustainability practices like green infrastructure and stormwater management supporting all work.
Layered atop this infrastructure is Field Operations’ crafted public realm and landscape, drawing inspiration from the resilient, industrial character of the waterfront and contrasted with the soft, natural hues of Elliott Bay and Puget Sound. The design honours Seattle’s waterfront’s rich cultural history and embraces its expansive natural surroundings, all while smoothly integrating into the city’s urban fabric.
We cannot be prouder of this amazing achievement – literally transforming a once-industrial waterfront, scarred and severed from the city by a daunting elevated-viaduct highway, into a magnificent new 26-block-long public promenade and park, with beautiful gardens, event piers, beaches and dramatic new connections to the city. The design was inspired and informed by the unique characteristics of Seattle, Elliott Bay and the waterfront, reflecting and evolving Seattle’s special “sense-of-place.
Field Operations Founding Partner, James Corner
Today, Waterfront Park offers a diverse range of remarkable experiences, including strolling promenades, overlooks, and stunning vistas, large civic event spaces, smaller play areas and gardens, boat landings, beaches, salmon corridors, and new habitats. Various artworks and artifacts are incorporated, and the area will continue to evolve and expand over time.
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