Callison Positions For Economic Turnaround

July 29, 2009 - Despite the dismal business conditions of 2009, Seattle-based architecture and design firm Callison has undertaken several initiatives to position the firm for growth as the economy improves. These include the recent addition of staff from RYA Design Consultancy, the growth of its international presence and capabilities in Asia and the Middle East and active planning with developers to explore ongoing market recovery strategies.

News Facts:

• Although the markets are still recovering, according to the Seattle Department of Planning and Development, in the past ten years, 2,000 housing units have been built in South Lake Union with 1,000 additional planned. There have been 9,000 new jobs created with another 13,000 anticipated in the near future.



• Callison has several projects recently completed or nearing completion in the Seattle area including:


o Westlake/Terry This two building office complex is part of Vulcan’s 60-acre redevelopment in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood. Westlake/Terry is Seattle’s first sustainable, eco-friendly facility to earn the prestigious LEED Gold Core & Shell certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

o West 8th Strategically located in the transition zone between Seattle’s Central Business District and South Lake Union neighborhoods, West 8th features state-of-the-art office spaces, luxurious amenities and sweeping Lake Union views. West 8th is pre-certified to receive LEED Gold certification, the first for a high-rise, speculative office building in Seattle.

o Amazon Designed to combine state-of-the-art sustainability with a historic warehouse character, Amazon.com’s new headquarters reflects its innovative approach to online retailing. Callison’s design for three of the 11 mid-rise office buildings, all designed to LEED Gold standards, will consolidate staff onto one campus to foster collaboration and improve efficiency for the Fortune 500 company.

o 2201/Enso is a modern vertical mixed-use project featuring sustainable office space, luxury condos and street-level retail. Expected to meet Silver LEED certification, 2201 Westlake is designed as a high-performance building that incorporates innovative under-floor delivery of heating, cooling and ventilation as well as an abundance of natural daylight, low energy and water flow fixtures and the use of eco-friendly materials.

o The Bravern Located in the heart of Bellevue, The Bravern is a vibrant, urban mixed-use complex featuring innovative office spaces, hospitality-inspired interiors, inviting outdoor “rooms,” upscale dining, signature residences and luxury retail anchored by Neiman Marcus.

o Microsoft Callison has partnered with Microsoft since 1985 to plan and design numerous facilities within its world headquarters campus, including its new West Campus.