‘Metronatural’ design plans for replacing the downtown Greyhound station

I really wasn’t expecting much at first when I opened up the architect’s presentation and the first thing I saw was a definition of the word ‘metronatural‘ that the Seattle Convention and Visitors Bureau created last year to help promote the city. Personally, I thought something like ‘Nice, but passive-aggressive’ or ‘You really won’t believe what your rental car taxes are paying for’ would have been better slogans but I guess that’s why I’m not a copywriter.

Anyway, once I was able to put that behind me, I went through the presentation and was impressed by the way that the developers are thinking about how this property can enhance the character of the Denny Triangle while also adding something of economic value to the city.

The two things I liked right away were:

- The developers are striving for LEED platinum certification.
- For each of the three massing options they’re presenting, they explain the impact it will have on pedestrian activity and traffic.

Of course, I’m not sure how this will impact the residents of the apartment buildings on this block but I’ve got to think it will be less intensive for them than the Greyhound station that is currently there.

You can download the building’s entire Early Design Review presentation here.

Massing Option 3 tower design

 Massing Option 3 street level designs