Skyscrapers invade Seattle, changing skyline forever

The number of Seattle skyscrapers is growing at a substantial rate.

Of the many construction projects in and around downtown, 43 projects that are either proposed or under construction are more than 200 feet tall, according to information compiled by Puget Sound Scape.

The number of those actually under construction drops to 14. However, the second largest skyscraper on the list is being built. The Mark, a 660-foot, 44-floor hotel with commercial space is joining the construction fray at 801 5th Ave.

What are they building?

The Mark is 186 feet short of being the tallest building on the list. The biggest project is the proposed Rainier Square Redevelopment at 1301 5th Ave. The building will add 180 hotel rooms and 780,000 square feet of commercial space.

The two buildings are part of the upward growth of Seattle’s landscape. A good portion of the construction or proposed projects are focused in the northern portion of downtown, bordering Lake Union.

Along with the 43 projects, there are two more; one of which is on hold, another is completed.

When all the data is combined, the projects equal 2,800 hotel rooms, 13,394 residential units, 22,066 parking stalls, 562,130 square feet of retail space, and &#8212 drum roll &#8212 9,157,867 square feet of commercial space, Puget Sound Scape reports.

Many areas of downtown have a building height limit of 400 feet, with up to 50 feet for roof amenities and mechanical space or rooftop elements. Of the projects, 23 are scheduled to be built within those limits, according to Puget Sound Scape.

All the development downtown adds to an ongoing discussion of how Seattle should grow. That includes Mayor Ed Murray’s housing committee considering the option of eliminating single-family zoning in the city and reports on median prices of single-family homes reaching $500,000 in the area.

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