A high-profile development featuring two 48-story apartment towers in Seattle's Denny Triangle remains unfinished seven years after construction began. The original developer, Westbank, is no longer associated with the project, leaving the future of the prominent downtown site uncertain.
The project, located at 1200 Stewart Street and known as WB1200, broke ground in 2018. It was envisioned as a significant addition to the city's skyline, but construction has faced considerable delays, and the towers now stand as incomplete structures in one of Seattle's fastest-growing neighborhoods.
Key Takeaways
- The WB1200 twin tower project in Seattle's Denny Triangle is incomplete after seven years of work.
- Original developer Westbank has exited the project, transferring ownership.
- Construction on the two 48-story residential buildings began in 2018 with contractor Graham Construction.
- The future development plan and timeline for the high-profile site are now under review.
An Ambitious Vision for Denny Triangle
The WB1200 project was launched in 2018 with the goal of transforming the corner of Stewart Street and Denny Way. The plan called for two identical 48-story towers, designed to add a significant number of residential units to the dense urban core.
The development was a joint effort between developer Westbank and contractor Graham Construction. Positioned in the Denny Triangle, the project was set to capitalize on the area's rapid growth, fueled by the expansion of major tech companies and a corresponding demand for downtown housing.
When construction commenced, the project was hailed as a symbol of Seattle's ongoing vertical expansion. The sleek design and prominent location were intended to create an architectural landmark, contributing to the evolving character of the neighborhood that connects South Lake Union with the traditional downtown business district.
The Denny Triangle Transformation
Seattle's Denny Triangle has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past two decades. Once a low-rise commercial area, it is now home to some of the city's tallest residential and office buildings. This growth has been driven primarily by the tech boom, which has increased the demand for housing and amenities in close proximity to major employment centers.
A Timeline of Delays and Stagnation
Despite the initial momentum, the path for WB1200 has been challenging. The seven-year period since the 2018 groundbreaking has been marked by slow progress, a stark contrast to other high-rise projects in the vicinity that have been completed in shorter timeframes.
The two towers, while structurally substantial, have remained in a visibly unfinished state for an extended period. The project's stagnation has become a point of discussion among local residents and real estate professionals, who have watched the partially built structures loom over the neighborhood without apparent progress toward completion.
Large-scale urban construction projects often face hurdles, including economic shifts, supply chain disruptions, and complex permitting processes. While the specific reasons for the delays at 1200 Stewart Street have not been publicly detailed, the extended timeline points to significant obstacles encountered during its development cycle.
Project at a Glance
- Location: 1200 Stewart St., Denny Triangle, Seattle
- Original Plan: Two 48-story apartment towers
- Construction Start: 2018
- Status: Unfinished
- Key Change: Original developer Westbank has exited the project
Westbank's Departure and an Uncertain Future
The most significant development in the project's history is the recent confirmation that Westbank no longer owns the property. This change in ownership marks a pivotal moment for the stalled development, effectively ending the original vision conceived nearly a decade ago.
The departure of a major developer from a flagship project raises questions about the venture's viability and future direction. It is currently unclear who has assumed control of the property or what their intentions are for the two partially constructed towers. The transfer of ownership introduces a new phase of uncertainty.
For the Denny Triangle neighborhood, the fate of the WB1200 project is a matter of considerable interest. An unfinished construction site of this magnitude can impact local aesthetics, traffic, and the overall real estate market. The community now awaits news on whether the new owners will complete the project as originally planned, propose a new design, or pursue an entirely different strategy for the valuable downtown real estate.
The next steps will be critical. Any new plan will likely require revised permits and a clear strategy to address the issues that stalled the project in the first place. Until a new path forward is announced, the two 48-story towers at 1200 Stewart Street will remain a prominent symbol of unfulfilled ambition in the Seattle skyline.
