Miller Hull's Populus Seattle Hotel on Hospitality Design

Miller Hull’s Populus Seattle Hotel on Hospitality Design

Populus Seattle Revives a 1907 Warehouse

Curioso and Miller Hull channel the city’s grit and greenery in Pioneer Square.

With its turn-of-the-century roots, Seattle’s Westland Building—once a plumbing parts wholesaler, a steam-supply warehouse, and a parka-producing textile mill—perfectly captures the industrial spirit of the city’s oldest neighborhood. Built in Pioneer Square in 1907, the six-story brick construction now houses Populus Seattle, a 120-room hotel from Denver-based real estate developer Urban Villages and Chicago-based operator Aparium.

Spearheaded by local architecture firm Miller Hull and Chicago-based design firm Curioso, the adaptive reuse project also features a robust art program, the neighborhood’s first rooftop bar, and sustainability initiatives that lower energy use like the addition of new windows and increasing natural light. In fact, it is the second outpost of the carbon-positive brand (the first opened in Denver last fall).

“Pioneer Square has a lot of history,” says Carlos Herrera, studio design leader at Curioso, who describes the approach to the interiors as a balance between opposites, with design elements that reference the city’s gritty past and nod to its abundant natural beauty. “Hundreds of years ago, at the exact location of the hotel, there was a very early settlement in Seattle. Back then, there was a lot of greenery and water, so we loved the idea of taking the colors of the natural elements and complementing this man-made, brick-and-timber building.”

Part of the RailSpur micro-district, comprising three repurposed warehouses and their intersecting alleyways, Populus Seattle needed intense retrofitting to transform it from drab offices into a design destination for travelers and locals alike. Working with JTM Construction, the team peeled back decades of architectural add-ons, revealing original timber joists, which they repurposed to frame areas like the entrance hall and lobby. “The columns, beams, and joists were all cut of large logs at a mill down the street,” says Miller Hull principal Mike Jobes.

Working under the National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program (which gives tax credits to private developers who rehabilitate historic buildings), the design team couldn’t change the original brick exterior or windows, but they had some leeway with fresh additions, including the new 5,000-square-foot penthouse and rooftop bar.

“The entry canopy, vestibule, and dining enclosure in the back didn’t have to mimic something old because they weren’t there before,” Jobes says. “[We] made it of its time, but with a compatible character [to the original building].” In this case, they used lots of glass and steel, as well as textures that imitate wood grain to point to the area’s industrial past.

As guests enter the hotel, they’re greeted by two old-growth nurse logs, which are watered through a built-in misting system so that over time, “plants are going to start to populate the sides,” Jobes says. Once inside, guests take a long, flora-lined stairwell up to farm-to-table restaurant Salt Harvest. Here, green tones—a jade-colored marble bar and tabletops, deep green chairs and bar stools—punctuate a rich palette of wood and leather, while large-format paintings curated by local art consulting studio ARTXIV underscore Seattle’s creative culture.

The hotel’s color scheme evolves as you travel upwards. “We went from the Columbia Basin to the mountaintops,” Herrera says. “As you get up to the rooftop, you still have those neutral, warm tones, but you’ll see a bit more color.” The rooftop bar, Firn, boasts sweeping views of Puget Sound and the city, and its furniture’s rusty red and orange tones capture the vibrant hues of a summer sunset.

Outfitted in green and blue hues, wooden cabinetry, and original artwork, guestrooms proved challenging—each one has a slightly different layout, so tweaks to furniture or closet placement were necessary. “There were a lot of times where we would design something and the client would ask us to strip it back again, just so that the building itself was the hero,” says Herrera.

While it would have been easier to tear down the aging structure and start from scratch, Populus Seattle feels refreshingly authentic to the city—the original details and quirky exposed elements only add to its charm. “That’s the beauty of an adaptive reuse project,” Herrera says. “You find nuggets of cool everywhere.” During renovation, the contractors often sent him pictures of uncovered structural hardware and asked what they should do with it. Herrera’s response was usually the same: “Leave it. It’s historic.”

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meet the team

We’re inspired by diverse design perspectives, innovation, technology, art, and the world around us. We live for the chance to create and disperse powerful, genuine messages that resonate.

tessa franchini

principal
tessa@paxsonfay.com

Tessa graduated from Fordham University in New York with a dual bachelor's degree in Communications and Political Science. During her time at Fordham, she worked for an interior designer and at NBC News where she developed her love for both design and communications. After graduating, Tessa managed marketing at 3form, a pioneer in the sustainable building products industry. During her tenure, 3form was repeatedly named one of the most recognized manufacturers in the design industry among architects and designers, and the company won multiple awards for its innovative product launches. After 3form, Tessa consulted on marketing efforts with leading product manufacturers in architecture and design before starting Paxson Fay with Amy.

amy golden

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amy@paxsonfay.com

Originally from Seattle, Amy left her home in the Pacific Northwest to attend Fordham University, fulfilling her dream of living in New York City. After graduating with a BS in business administration, specializing in marketing and minoring in economics, Amy began her career in advertising sales at CNN and the Hallmark Channel in New York and LA. However, Amy’s love of writing, design, and connection with people ultimately led her to PR. While finishing her MBA back home at Seattle University, in 2015, Amy cofounded Paxson Fay with her friend and business partner, Tessa, driven by a shared vision to build a PR agency that reflected their values and passions. At Paxson Fay, Amy thrives in media relations and pitch development, enjoying the process of diving deep into each client’s story to craft compelling narratives that resonate with editors and journalists. Amy has a particular passion for architecture-focused projects, and securing SHED’s feature in The New York Times was an especially rewarding moment, as they were her first client. Another major career milestone was helping build out Paxson Fay’s talented team, fostering an environment where young professionals can grow their skills and pursue their passions. Outside of work, Amy loves spending time with her family, chasing after her two little boys, exploring Seattle’s restaurant scene, traveling with friends, and reading.

colby wood

senior account executive
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After graduating from Fordham University in New York City with a major in Communications and Media Studies and a handful of marketing and PR internships, Colby moved to Boston to manage marketing for a small, women-owned, creative consulting agency. While in that role, Colby managed public relations and marketing efforts for some of Boston's most prominent events and public art initiatives, including the Boston Pickle Fair and The Bulfinch Crossing Projections in downtown Boston. Colby gained experience crafting brand stories and identities through social media marketing and creative copywriting, seen through the successful launch of a premier Massachusetts adult-use dispensary and the revamp of her agency's own website. After two years, Colby decided it was time to figure out what the West Coast was all about. Looking to blend her marketing experience with her passion for design and architecture, Colby found Paxson Fay, where she focuses on social media strategy and management and public relations.

paige childs

account executive
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As a child, Paige wanted to be an architect; but after falling in love with storytelling, the power of words, and yes, the show West Wing, she decided to pursue journalism at The George Washington University in the nation’s capital. Following graduation, Paige crafted communications for the beauty and banking industries. Craving space for creativity, she joined the small team that would reopen the congressionally designated National Children’s Museum. There, she played an integral role in establishing the museum’s brand, bringing it to life across digital channels, including social media, email, and advertising. After nearly eight years in DC, she decided it was time for a change of scenery. Having grown fond of the title Washingtonian, she made the cross-country move to Washington State. She landed in Seattle at Paxson Fay, where in true full circle fashion she is the architect of social media and public relations strategies for our architecture and design clients.

martina povolo

account coordinator
martina@paxsonfay.com

Martina joined the Paxson Fay team as an intern when she was a senior at the University of Washington. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Public Interest Communications, Martina is now continuing with the team as a Communications Assistant. During her time at UW, Martina worked as the Special Sections Editor at the university’s newspapers where she won multiple awards for her front page spreads. Looking to blend her minors in real estate and environmental science with her focus in communications, Martina is passionate and excited to join the Paxson Fay team.

tara lyons

account coordinator
tara@paxsonfay.com

With roots in Napa and Denver, Tara ventured to the Pacific Northwest to pursue her academic journey at the University of Washington, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Communication and Education. Tara's love for writing began when she delved into songwriting, building on her pre-existing passion for singing and playing the piano. Following her undergraduate years, she returned to Paxson Fay, where she had previously interned, transitioning into the role of Communications Assistant. With a keen interest in PR and social media, Tara seamlessly integrates her creative flair into the professional realm. Outside of work, you'll find Tara passionately supporting the Kraken, embodying her love for both storytelling and sports.

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