WARDs COVE MARINA OFFICES

Part of a larger masterplan that included floating houses and townhomes, atelierjones worked with a fourth-generation Pacific Northwest fishing company to convert their aging marine warehouse into 20,000 SF of Class A office space. Working within the complex constraints of shoreline construction, the team crafted a beautiful and unique space on the shores of Seattle’s Lake Union.

The exterior of the warehouse was updated with corrugated metal and new operable glazing. A landscaped corridor was added between the new and old office buildings, creating an entry for the project along the main site axis. Along this corridor, timbers and other building elements were salvaged from the old structures, with vignettes celebrating the family-owned company’s long history.

The interior of the old structure was stripped clean, exposing the building’s original timber structure. New finishes, mechanical systems, and a feature staircase were added, creating a highly desirable office space that leased quickly, even at the height of a recession.

Site work included the extensive cleanup and remediation of the wharf, removing over 500 creosote-treated piles and installing new concrete piers. Dockside sewage collection was added for the marina and floating homes, and fish-friendly landscaping and stormwater strategies were introduced.

The historic references extended to the site, where salvaged timbers were used to create standing monuments, parking stops, and benches. Custom metal gates referenced the loft lines of an original construction drawing for one of the company’s long-tenured vessels, the FV Renown. The new site is a contemporary, sustainable update to Seattle’s waterfront that still pays homage to its deep maritime industrial history.