Built in 1913,

’s Federal Reserve Bank building acts as a window to the past in a city typically defined by its progressive, forward-thinking culture. When property developer Martin Selig bought the property at a government auction in 2014, he aimed to update it for contemporary use while preserving those historical links. The Seattle studio of Perkins&Will was commissioned to revitalize the iconic stone box with a modern addition and new amenities, a particularly difficult mission given the property’s landmark status.

The design for the project had to be sensitive to specific requirements on both the federal and state levels, which don’t always align with each other. Perkins&Will worked to find the right balance between old and new. The renovation included a glass addition that appears to float over the existing historic building. The cantilevered relief between the two is really eye-catching,” says Erik Mott, Design Co-Director of Perkins&Will’s

studio. “But the whole building has a real presence to it.