The transformation of Seattle's Waterfront was envisioned and supported by many civic leaders and residents over the years to reconnect our city back to the sea, and through Overlook Walk we have accomplished just that.Angela Brady, Director of the Office of the Waterfront & Civic Projects
Overlook Walk creates a welcoming connection between Pike Place Market and Seattle’s renewed waterfront, transforming what was once a challenging elevation change into a gentle, enjoyable journey. The path moves through terraces, seating areas, and overlooks that open to views of Elliott Bay, downtown, and the surrounding mountains, giving visitors a chance to experience the city and its shoreline in a new way.
The character of Overlook Walk is shaped by the Pacific Northwest. Native plants line the pathways, shifting in color and texture through the seasons and attracting birds and pollinators. Rainwater moves through planted terraces and small bioswales, where it is naturally filtered before continuing to the broader watershed. These features make the landscape feel connected to the region while quietly supporting environmental health.
Access for all was a central goal. Ramps, elevators, and gentle grades allow people of every age and ability to move easily between the Market and the waterfront. The project builds on the MarketFront expansion, which added affordable housing, retail, and public gathering space to Pike Place Market. Overlook Walk extends that spirit of openness, linking the historic Market to the city’s evolving shoreline and creating a continuous public experience from the hillside to the water.
A distinctive element of Overlook Walk is Miller Hull’s Café Pavilion and canopy. In collaboration with Miller Hull, structural engineers Magnusson Klemencic Associates, developed a solution in which the roof framing of the café serves as the shear diaphragm of the canopy, creating structural interdependence between the two elements. This integration achieved a lighter, more efficient framing design that gracefully frames views across Overlook Walk while complementing the geometry of the landscape and urban design elements of the site. Additional features include a playground with climbing structures and a slide near the Pike Place MarketFront, enhancing the experience for visitors.
Throughout the project, materials and planting choices reflect a commitment to longevity and a strong sense of place. Cedar sourced through Indigenous partnerships, durable stone, and resilient plant communities create a setting intended to age well and respond to changing conditions over time. Passive strategies—such as shade, daylight, vegetation, and thoughtful placement of materials—help maintain comfort while reducing energy use.
Together, these elements make Overlook Walk more than a passage between destinations; it becomes a place to slow down, experience the landscape, and connect with Seattle’s waterfront as part of everyday life.
Prime Consultant and Resident Engineer: Jacobs Engineering
Contractor: Hoffman Construction Company
Urban Design and Landscape Architecture: Field Operations
Architecture: The Miller Hull Partnership, LLP
Civil Engineering: Magnusson Klemencic and Associates
Geotechnical Engineering: Shannon & Wilson
Bridge Structural Engineering: Jacobs Engineering
Buildings Structural Engineering: Magnusson Klemencic and Associates
Facades Design and Engineering: Green Facades
Mechanical Engineering: The Greenbusch Group
Electrical Engineering and Fire Protection: WSP
Lighting Design: Dark Light
Landscaping Design: Land Morphology
Site Irrigation: Dragonfly
Specifications: Vic Eckland
Public Art, Salish Steps: MTK Matriarchs
Public Art, Screened Area: Ann Hamilton