The hotel will open following the conversion of a 116-year-old structure into a modern 120-key property with the design of The Miller Hull Partnership and Curioso Interior Design.
Transformation of a historic property
On opening in Summer 2024, the carbon positive, adaptive reuse Hotel Westland will host guests in 120 guest rooms and public spaces including a flagship restaurant and rooftop bar. Construction recently began on this property, operated by Aparium Hotel Group, with the architectural design of The Miller Hull Partnership and the interiors of Curioso.
This boutique lifestyle hotel will draw on the historic character of the building and its locale in modern spaces including a Penthouse Hospitality Suite, two flexible residential-style meeting spaces, a cafe, Pioneer Square’s first rooftop bar and a signature restaurant that aims to forge an authentic connection with the community. The hotel will be a part of the carbon positive micro-district, RailSpur.
“We’re proud to develop Hotel Westland as the second carbon positive hotel in our portfolio and in the country,” said Grant McCargo, Urban Villages’ Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer. “The greenest building is one you don’t have to build from the ground up. With adaptive reuse, we’ve modernised the building and honoured its heritage, all while minimising environmental impact.”
Jon Buerge, President and Partner at Urban Villages, commented: “Hotel Westland is the embodiment of history, community, and preservation. We started with an authentic appreciation for Pioneer Square as Seattle’s most intact historic district and are creating an exciting new destination to dine, stay, and play that reflects its original charm.”
“Our goal is that the new hotel, restaurant, and bar will add vibrancy and longevity, benefiting the community as well as our planet.”
Connecting with the community
The creation of this carbon positive hotel by Urban Villages follows on from the company’s announcement of plans to open the first carbon positive hotel in the United States, Populus, in Denver in summer 2024. Urban Villages defines carbon positive as removing more carbon from the atmosphere than its calculated carbon footprint.
The hotel is revitalising an existing structure and designed for optimum energy efficiency. To neutralise the hotel’s emissions, the company is engaging partners for forestry-, soil-, and ocean-based initiatives.
Guest rooms will be designed to reflect the historic neighbourhood and beauty of the Pacific Northwest. The hotel experience will begin with an activated lobby filled with lush greenery and featuring a cafe, communal space and meeting areas.
A central staircase will then lead guests to the signature restaurant and bar featuring booths, communal seating, private dining space and an open kitchen, as well as a glass-enclosed patio. Pioneer Square’s first rooftop bar will incorporate various spaces for meeting, dining and drinking, along with the Penthouse Hospitality Suite for events.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Urban Villages on Hotel Westland, marking our first project in Seattle, a bustling destination thriving with cultural activity and a vibrant community,” said Mario Tricoci, CEO and Founder of Aparium Hotel Group.
“This transformative project aligns with our strategy of creating one-of-one hotels that are built to last and to be as relevant in 20 years as they are today. We’re looking forward to delivering experiences that matter for both locals and hotel guests through our dynamic approach to programming, collaborative local partnerships, and exceptional food and beverage.”
