Size: 290,000 SF commercial
Completion: Summer 2003
Client: Seattle Center, Seattle Opera and Pacific Northwest Ballet
Cost: $127 million
Project Director
barrientos RYAN served as the Project Director for the renovation of the opera house into a new, state-of-the-art performance hall and the development of a temporary performance space while the new performance hall was under construction. barrientos RYAN represented all the partners in this public-private partnership during the planning, design and construction of both projects. The partners were Seattle Center, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Opera and the Seattle Center Foundation.
Development and Construction
barrientos RYAN was hired to assist the tenants in developing the program requirements for the building, and was then brought on by Seattle Center to be the Project Director, working with Seattle Center project management staff in developing the building. The renovation of the existing opera house was a four-year, $127 million-dollar project. barrientos RYAN worked closely with Seattle Center, Opera and Ballet staff to determine the level of renovation of the theater, seating areas, stage, and technical production equipment. Other issues included ensuring the design could be flexible enough for off-season events, festivals and traveling shows, as well as providing for catering services, retail and public areas.
Transition to a Temporary Venue
While the opera house was under construction, the Opera and Ballet companies were housed at Mercer Arena. Although a very different scope from the renovation, the temporary venue was an equally challenging project. As well as providing all the services listed above, barrientos RYAN facilitated the planning and coordination to make the transitions between venues feasible. The Mercer Arts Arena was a $10 million renovation.