Transforming Seattle's Waterfront

The transformation of the Seattle Waterfront began with the removal of the aging Alaskan Way Viaduct, paving the way for a revitalized and people-centered space. Today, the central waterfront flourishes with vibrant public art, inviting gathering areas, recreational opportunities, and dynamic cultural programming, creating a destination that truly puts the community first.

Waterfront Seattle highlights: 

  • A park promenade along the water with wide walking spaces
  • Rebuilt Pier 58, Pier 62 and the Seawall
  • A new surface street along Alaskan Way
  • An elevated, elegant connection between the Pike Place Market and the Waterfront
  • Nine new permanent art installations
  • Two new play spaces
  • A new public restroom

Waterfront Gallery

Play space on Pier 58 featuring an 18-foot jellyfish-inspired climbing structure.

Play space on Pier 58 featuring an 18-foot jellyfish-inspired climbing structure.

Overlook Walk on opening day, looking south towards the Great Wheel.

Overlook Walk on opening day, looking south towards the Great Wheel.

Aerial view of the improved waterfront looking south.

Aerial view of the improved waterfront looking south.

A biker on the path underneath Oscar Tuazon’s "To Our Teachers deqʷaled (Houseposts)", one of the new permanent artworks on the waterfront.

A biker on the path underneath Oscar Tuazon’s "To Our Teachers deqʷaled (Houseposts)", one of the new permanent artworks on the waterfront.

Habitat Beach is a newly built beach. It gives people a place to sit and enjoy waterfront views, and improves marine habitat and supports juvenile salmon passage.

Habitat Beach is a newly built beach. It gives people a place to sit and enjoy waterfront views, and improves marine habitat and supports juvenile salmon passage.

Many original features and structures are incorporated in the new Waterfront, such as the bronze historic FitzGerald fountain that was restored and reinstalled on Pier 58.

Many original features and structures are incorporated in the new Waterfront, such as the bronze historic FitzGerald fountain that was restored and reinstalled on Pier 58.

The glass bricks embedded in the Park Promenade bring light into the rebuilt seawall below, which benefits marine life. The seawall also has many textured surfaces to encourage a healthy habitat.

The glass bricks embedded in the Park Promenade bring light into the rebuilt seawall below, which benefits marine life. The seawall also has many textured surfaces to encourage a healthy habitat.

Play space on Pier 58 featuring an 18-foot jellyfish-inspired climbing structure.

Play space on Pier 58 featuring an 18-foot jellyfish-inspired climbing structure.
Overlook Walk on opening day, looking south towards the Great Wheel.

Overlook Walk on opening day, looking south towards the Great Wheel.
Aerial view of the improved waterfront looking south.

Aerial view of the improved waterfront looking south.
A biker on the path underneath Oscar Tuazon’s "To Our Teachers deqʷaled (Houseposts)", one of the new permanent artworks on the waterfront.

A biker on the path underneath Oscar Tuazon’s "To Our Teachers deqʷaled (Houseposts)", one of the new permanent artworks on the waterfront.
Habitat Beach is a newly built beach. It gives people a place to sit and enjoy waterfront views, and improves marine habitat and supports juvenile salmon passage.

Habitat Beach is a newly built beach. It gives people a place to sit and enjoy waterfront views, and improves marine habitat and supports juvenile salmon passage.
Many original features and structures are incorporated in the new Waterfront, such as the bronze historic FitzGerald fountain that was restored and reinstalled on Pier 58.

Many original features and structures are incorporated in the new Waterfront, such as the bronze historic FitzGerald fountain that was restored and reinstalled on Pier 58.
The glass bricks embedded in the Park Promenade bring light into the rebuilt seawall below, which benefits marine life. The seawall also has many textured surfaces to encourage a healthy habitat.

The glass bricks embedded in the Park Promenade bring light into the rebuilt seawall below, which benefits marine life. The seawall also has many textured surfaces to encourage a healthy habitat.

Highlights of Seattle's New Waterfront

Almost 1,000 new trees

And more than 150,000 new plants

9 new permanent art installations

Representing the work of 16 artists

3 new pedestrian bridges

Including an elevated park connecting Pike Place Market and the waterfront

Two new play spaces

And one is shaped like a jellyfish!

Up to 7,500,000 gallons of stormwater treated annually

Through biofiltration. This is about 15 Olympic-sized swimming pools. 

20 acres of new public space

Along the waterfront

Waterfront History

Jenny Davis and Annie Rodgers in front of Indianola in the Rodger’s family canoe.

Jenny Davis and Annie Rodgers in front of Indianola in the Rodger’s family canoe. Courtesy of the Suquamish Museum archives

Seattle’s Waterfront (Dzidzilalich) stands on the lands and shared waters of the Puget Sound Coast Salish People, whose ancestors resided here since time immemorial. With gratitude, we honor the land, the water and its peoples.

Learn more about our collaboration with local tribes. 

Black and white photo of the Seattle Waterfront during first seawall construction around 1911.

Seattle Waterfront - the seawall was constructed starting in 1911. Image courtesy of the Seattle Municipal Archives.

Learn more about the history of the waterfront on History Link.