Pioneer Square’s new public restrooms vandalized weeks after installation
Jun 1, 2026, 5:23 PM
Seattle's new toilets in Pioneer Square. (Photo courtesy of SDOT)
(Photo courtesy of SDOT)
The City of Seattle’s new public restrooms in Pioneer Square were vandalized just weeks after being installed.
Someone broke the windows of one of the bathrooms, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) confirmed to MyNorthwest Monday.
A photo of the broken window was posted by Seattle Submissions on X.
#BREAKING One of Seattle’s new $116,000 “smart” public restrooms in Pioneer Square has been vandalized just two weeks after installation. The city spent $465,000 on a 4-unit pilot program ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026. pic.twitter.com/2Z3XD6xgaK
— SEATTLESUBMISSIONS (@SEATTLESUBMISS) June 1, 2026
However, SDOT noted Throne Labs, the company the city partnered with to install the bathrooms, was able to fix the window in less than a day.
Seattle unveils free public restrooms, with 10-minute limit
SDOT announced May 15 that the city was going to install four new public restrooms in Pioneer Square.
The free toilets, installed in preparation for the FIFA World Cup, cost the city $465,000 for a year. They play soothing music, dispense flowery fragrance, and require the Throne app, QR code, or text to unlock.
The inside of Seattle’s new toilets in Pioneer Square. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Department of Transportation)
The bathrooms also have a 10-minute time limit to “ensure no one overstays and keeps the line moving,” SDOT wrote in its post.
The toilets run on solar power with a backup battery and have built-in water and waste tanks for running water without the need for plumbing hookups.
SDOT said the restrooms are designed to stay clean and reliable, as they are monitored, serviced, and maintained throughout the day.
“We will test the new restrooms as a one-year pilot to see how well they hold up in real-life situations,” the department wrote. “Considerations include the effectiveness of the technology, cleanliness, maintenance, and public feedback. If all goes well, the restrooms could become a lasting part of the city’s services and potentially be added in more locations.”
There are two toilets at 2nd Avenue South and South Washington Street, and two toilets at 1st Avenue South and South Charles Street, outside of Lumen Field.
The public restrooms are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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