Seattle’s Waterfront Gets a Makeover

On October 4, Seattle opened its long-anticipated Overlook Walk, a multi-billion dollar civic project that stretches across the Emerald City’s iconic waterfront. The new public space spans 20-acres and features gathering areas, concessionaire spaces, and spectacular panoramic views of Downtown and the Puget Sound. It also provides direct access to Pike Place Market, the Seattle Aquarium, and a variety of shops and restaurants along the waterfront. Overlook Walk is the largest civic project in the City since the 1962 World’s Fair (which ushered in the construction of the Space Needle).

Construction of Overlook Walk began in earnest in 2022; however, the project’s history goes back much further. For nearly 66 years, the Alaskan Way Viaduct separated Downtown Seattle from the waterfront. The concrete, elevated, double-decker highway ran north-south through the City (and was admittedly a bit of an eyesore). After decades of wear-and-tear from traffic, salty air, and the powerful Nisqually Earthquake of 2001, the Viaduct was retired and demolished in 2019. The newly constructed State Route 99 tunnel (a topic worthy of its own blog post) and the Overlook Walk took its place.

As a whole, the project represents a massive investment in accessible, pedestrian-friendly, and sustainable design. It came with a steep price tag; however, the project transforms the entire waterfront into a destination, creating space for retailers, events, and simple enjoyment.