The Sanctuary

Location: Seattle, WA

This 1908 Beaux Arts gem, formerly the First United Methodist Church, features classical elements from Roman, Byzantine, and Palladian Renaissance styles. Its three-story central cross-shaped form is accented by two-story corner pavilions. The structure, built with reinforced concrete and masonry, required significant upgrades to meet modern life safety and seismic codes for its transformation into a highly sought-after event venue, The Sanctuary.

Key improvements included reinforcing the 72-foot-high support columns with glass fiber wraps and adding 10-inch-thick concrete walls. The wood-paneled interior was carefully removed and reinstalled with an adjusted width. The 64-foot-diameter dome and roof were reinforced with steel elements, while the original red tile roof was salvaged and reinstalled with a new membrane. Numerous stained-glass panels were carefully removed, restored, and reinstalled.

Blending preservation priorities with contemporary needs, a modern HVAC system was concealed creatively by repurposing the historic pipe organ into a screen. Completed in compliance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, the project secured a 20% federal tax credit.

Historic Seattle 2017 Exemplary Stewardship Award

NAIOP Washington Chapter 2018 Hospitality Development of the Year