SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.- The Seattle Art Museum unveiled the design for its expansion. The project, which represents an investment on the block in the range of $300 million, is proposed for the northern two-thirds of the block bounded by First and Second Avenues and Union and University Streets. It will provide additional office space for Washington Mutual, enabling it to keep thousands of employees in downtown Seattle in consolidated facilities, and will meet the short- and long-term expansion needs for SAM. The project also will provide additional parking in the neighborhood for Benaroya Hall, the Pike Place Market and other neighbors, as well as boost the downtown economy by increasing visitors to downtown, and providing tax revenue and construction jobs.  

Construction is expected to begin in early 2004 and require approximately two years. The project has applied for a Master Use Permit and the draft Environmental Impact Statement is expected to be published in June, according to Matt Griffin, managing partner of Pine Street Group L.L.C., the project’s developer, along with The Seneca Real Estate Group, both of Seattle.  

The project will be composed of two distinct components, consistent with the two different zoning height limitations that underlie the block. The Washington Mutual offices will occupy the eastern portion of the site. The museum expansion will occupy the majority of the western portion of the site. The Washington Mutual component is composed of approximately 890,000 rentable square feet of space in a 42-story office tower, which will be owned by Washington Mutual. The bank component will front on Second Avenue with street-level office lobby and retail uses. The tower will be composed of three parallel rectilinear elements that will emphasize its verticality. NBBJ, Seattle, is the bank’s architect and the executive architect for SAM.  

“We are pleased that the project continues to move forward and are optimistic that outstanding permit and design processes will eventually be completed,” said Craig Chapman, Washington Mutual chief administrative officer. “We appreciate the collaborative efforts from all parties, and believe the new office tower – which is expected to provide office space for approximately 4,000 Washington Mutual employees – will enable us to secure the real estate space we need for our continued presence in downtown Seattle.”  

The SAM component is composed of approximately 335,000 rentable square feet of space on 12 full and partial levels fronting on First Avenue and connecting internally to the existing Robert Venturi-designed museum. The new space will provide for the museum’s long-term expansion and will be occupied by SAM over time as the museum is ready to expand. SAM initially expects to occupy the ground floor and two levels of public and gallery space in the expansion. Washington Mutual will lease the remaining SAM space from the museum and will relinquish it over time as SAM continues to expand. That space will be built to museum standards and retrofitted for Washington Mutual’s use. SAM will own its portion of the project.  

“This joint expansion is an extraordinary opportunity for the museum and our community, contributing to the cultural and economic life of downtown,” said Mimi Gates, director of SAM. “By working with Washington Mutual, SAM is able to accommodate the needs of our dynamic artistic program and audience much more quickly than could be achieved with a stand-alone museum building.”  

SAM’s design architect is Portland-based Allied Works Architecture, founded by Brad Cloepfil in 1994. The firm has completed a number of important cultural and educational projects throughout the United States. Their design for SAM will engage First Avenue’s streetscape with open and activated public spaces. The primary entry to SAM will relocate to First Avenue and Union Street, providing easy access to the activities of the museum.  

The project will rise atop a six-level, underground parking garage. The garage will accommodate approximately 710 vehicles and be owned by Washington Mutual.  

The project continues to work through the city’s Design Review Board process and expects to be able to release design details and images later this summer. The museum is currently planning a public event in the fall to give community members an opportunity to hear about the expansion plans and view the design.  

The site is currently occupied by a parking structure, located immediately north of the current Seattle Art Museum, and the Museum Plaza/Arcade Building, which are jointly owned and operated by the museum and the MDA. SAM’s long-term expansion has always been planned for this parcel.  

With a history dating back to 1889, Washington Mutual (NYSE: WM) is a national retailer of financial services that provides a diversified line of products and services to consumers and small- to mid-sized businesses. At March 31, 2003, Washington Mutual and its subsidiaries had assets of $276.97 billion. Washington Mutual currently operates more than 2,500 consumer banking, mortgage lending, commercial banking, consumer finance and financial services offices throughout the nation. Washington Mutual’s press releases are available at www.wamu.com.