The 2501 Northlake Way Building received a seismic upgrade, rehabilitation, and modernization resulting in a spectacular example of preserving and repurposing an obsolete building, while minimizing its impact to the fragile shoreline and surrounding neighborhood. The original two-story structure, built in 1971, began life as the Gasworks Tavern. Built with heavy timber and peeled logs, the structure is situated on the north shore of Lake Union with unobstructed lake views and the Space Needle. Located in a semi industrial area, the original building changed hands many times and eventually fell into disrepair. It sat empty before being purchased in 2011.

In conjunction with Bjarko Serra Architects, Quantum Consulting Engineers worked to preserve as much of the original building structure as possible and added a new outside deck with an overhanging roof to help maintain the open views of Lake Union to the south.

Interior spaces were opened up with innovative structural steel framing to eliminate or relocate columns in a complex structure. A unique column base replacement strategy was developed by Quantum Consulting Engineers that allowed for the column bases to be replaced without having to provide temporary shoring for the columns.

The once obsolete structure that was on the verge of being torn down is now home to offices on the upper floor and two very successful restaurants on the ground floor, Westward and Little Gull. Known as Northlake Westward, the building is once again an attractive asset to the neighborhood.

Architect: Bjarko Serra Architects