Fueling Scientific Discovery
Allen Institute’s headquarters is an imaginative research facility for cutting-edge bioscience. The project was built on reclaimed industrial land at the northwest corner of Mercer and Westlake in South Lake Union, and it incorporates the original terra cotta facades of the historic Pacific and Ford McKay Buildings.
The 272,000 square foot building is purpose-built for life science research, with custom-designed robotic systems, automated technologies, laboratory space, and high-powered computing hardware. Here, scientists will study advanced bioscience, learn how the human brain codes and processes information, and categorize and characterize the variety of cells in the brain.
| Sustainability | LEED Gold & Salmon-Safe Certified |
|---|---|
| Architect | Perkins+Will |
| Contractor | GLY Construction |
| Public Artwork | Mirall by Jaume Plensa |
By the Numbers
Future-Forward Facility
At six stories, the building includes approximately 11,000 square feet of ground-floor retail and two levels of subterranean parking. The building design brings in abundant natural light and offers stunning views of Seattle.
An eye for detail
Project Features
- Restored terra cotta facades
- Street-level interactive public art plaza
Building Amenities
- Labs & offices arranged in a series of "petals" around central atrium
- Open design & interacting stairs
- Wet and dry labs, data center, 241-seat atrium, and collaborative working spaces
- Bike storage & shower facilities
See what else makes Allen Institute noteworthy
Preserving the Past While Protecting the Future
Founded on a deep commitment to sustainability, our approach to adaptive reuse and historic preservation is visible throughout South Lake Union, which during the first half of the 20th century was home to many light industrial uses.