Victor Steinbrueck Park

Victor Steinbrueck Park is a beloved public space designed by celebrated 20th Century Seattle landscape architect Rich Haag and architect Victor Steinbrueck. Conceived as an extension of Pike Place Market and intended to support Market vendors, their families and residents, the park embodied social democratic ideals by creating a space for all in Seattle’s urban center—with stunning panoramic views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.

The original design is a Modernist park that is protected as part of the Pike Place Market Historic District. Like other on-structure spaces of its age, its renovation was spurred by a failing waterproofing membrane and aging furnishings and finishes. Walker Macy’s renovation re-created the entire park, retaining the park’s original design and layout while sensitively updating all of its individual elements with an eye towards improved access, multi-generational use and cultural sensitivity. With thoughtful design updates throughout, the park’s special features, paving, furnishings, and lighting make it sing.

The revitalized space offers a level of finish, comfort, and durability expected of a modern city park, with improved plaza areas, grassy knolls, features to interest children, native plants and new trees, custom furnishings and lighting and a new pavilion. Leveraging the reduced noise and expanded views made possible by the deconstruction of the Alaskan Way Viaduct (formerly a barrier between the park and Puget Sound) the space includes a new connection to MarketFront and the Overlook Walk, making the park a crucial link between downtown and Seattle’s magnetic Central Waterfront.

Our design process included extensive outreach to traditionally excluded groups who were familiar with how the park had been used over time and with its meaning today, including Seattle’s Native American communities and especially the Urban Native community. In response to these conversations, Walker Macy engaged Jones & Jones to help integrate authentic Coast Salish designs and more natural elements into the park. Visitors to the park are now greeted with engraved signs reading “Welcome” in both English and Lushootseed. Other special features include paving and benches with Coast Salish basket-weave patterns, a bronze in-grade map of the Coast Salish region, and cedar column wraps at the Pavilion designed by indigenous artist Joe Seymour Jr. (of Squaxin Island heritage). These elements support the original goals of the park to welcome all people and recognize Seattle’s rich native culture and current Native American communities.

Client
Seattle Parks and Recreation
Location
Seattle, WA
Completed
2024
Collaborators
Patano Studio Architecture
Amento Group
Jones & Jones
Little Fish Lighting
Lund Opsahl
Osborn Consulting