2024 Summer Issue of Urban Land - 79

Groves and Stones, by Julian Watts, is an interactive art installation at West Main.
agricultural traditions. These dedicated
farmers work their land from dawn until
dusk, cultivating crops in the timeless
manner of their forebears.
Informed by Graphite's close collaboration
with GGN and Compton Design
Office, the courtyard creates a strong
frame uniting the three towers and connects
to the surrounding neighborhoods
with design that's cohesive, fluid, and
engaging. Vibrant native meadow plants
reassert the region's ecological character
in the heart of downtown.
With the recent opening of the East
Main Light Rail station in Bellevue, West
Main's attractions are more accessible
than ever. Now, the wider community
can enjoy the art and amenities of West
Main, thus fostering a sense of ownership
and belonging.
Bringing Seattle's downtown
to the Eastside
West Main was the beneficiary of previous
urban revitalization projects between
Graphite Design Group and Vulcan Real
Estate, including the Denny Regrade
in Seattle, which turned a once-sleepy
neighborhood into a vibrant extension of
South Lake Union.
Over the last decade, Graphite and
Vulcan have worked together to design
and develop more than 10 buildings for
tech giants Amazon and Google, comprising
2,000,000 square feet (185,806
sq m) of premium office space in downtown
Seattle.
This effort has significantly transformed
the Denny Regrade neighborhood
and the adjacent South Lake Union
community, attracting residents and
businesses to Seattle's urban core. By
focusing on resource conservation, transportation
synergies, lifestyle benefits,
and long-term flexibility, the design and
development teams were able to create
a mini-city within the city.
Graphite designed West Main with
this same overarching objective: ensuring
that the street level of the complex
engages with the local community
through business, art, and landscape,
effectively expanding Bellevue's western
limits. This commitment is evident in the
array of big-name retailers who've come
to West Main, drawn by its energetic
atmosphere and innovative design. As
Bellevue continues to evolve, West Main
stands as a beacon of progress, creating
a space where the greater community is
able to come together to live, work, and
enjoy all that city life has to offer.
Meydenbauer Creek
Inspired by the historical Meydenbauer
Creek that once flowed through the site,
the design team sought to incorporate
elements of those currents into West
Main's facades. The result is a subtle
yet striking pattern that ebbs and flows
across the towers to lend a sense of
movement and rhythm. Yet each one is
unique. Although the design sought to
emphasize visual cohesion among the
three buildings, variations in patterns
give each tower its own distinct appearance,
designated as " Push-Pull, " " Weave, "
and " Tuft. "
SUMMER 202 4
URBAN LAND
79
INDUSTRY VOICES
BENJAMIN BENSCHNEIDER
2024 Summer Issue of Urban Land

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of 2024 Summer Issue of Urban Land
