February 10, 2025

National Finalist: Gold Award
Transportation

Photo from ACEC Washington [enlarge]

This pedestrian path between two beloved landmarks exemplifies how practical infrastructure can also become a vibrant public space.

Jacobs

Seattle Waterfront Overlook Walk

City of Seattle - Office of the Waterfront and Civic Projects

Seattle’s Overlook Walk offers a scenic and welcoming pathway to bridge the nearly 100-foot elevation gap between Pike Place Market and the Seattle Waterfront. Designed by Jacobs in collaboration with urban designers, this elevated park features accessible ramps, stairs, elevators, a café, a glass canopy, a children’s play area, benches, landscaped planters and lighting, creating a dynamic new link between two of the city’s most beloved landmarks.

The Overlook Walk fulfills a long-held vision. The Alaskan Way Viaduct, built in 1953, had divided the city from its waterfront. After the viaduct was damaged in the 2001 Nisqually earthquake, plans to remove it and reconnect the city to the waterfront began. The construction of a tunnel to reroute the highway beneath the city allowed for the viaduct’s demolition in 2019, paving the way for the Overlook Walk project.

This pedestrian path exemplifies how practical infrastructure can also become a vibrant public space. Unlike typical transportation projects that prioritize speed and efficiency, Overlook Walk offers a unique opportunity for visitors to linger, relax and enjoy the surroundings. It provides not only a convenient connection but also a welcoming space for gatherings, offering stunning, 360-degree views of Seattle and the Puget Sound.

Overlook Walk’s design breaks the journey into stages, offering places to rest and explore, transforming what once was a challenging ascent into a memorable destination. Since its completion in the fall of 2024, Overlook Walk has become a new Seattle landmark, attracting a mix of tourists and residents alike, drawn to its beauty and accessibility.

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