Expanding the livable extent of the Bellevue core

One of the first projects to enact the new Bellevue zoning code, Surrey on Main occupies an important corner of the downtown boundary. The project provides a graceful transition from the higher density of the city landscape to the less-concentrated living quarters of the surrounding neighborhood. The name of the project, “Surrey,” is taken from the previous building that occupied the site, which historically served as the old Seattle Times offices.

Fully engaging with the site and surroundings

Surrey on Main is grounded by its public plaza, which provides a luscious green oasis that fronts and moderates the busier Main Street. There are expansive landscaped buffers along the perimeters toward the building’s smaller-scale neighbors. Views connect the building’s future residents with downtown, providing outlooks on the activity of the street, the cityscape and outlying territories. A street-level courtyard invites public engagement — providing seating, plantings with trees and a commissioned art piece visible from the sidewalk.

A material palette reduced to absolute simplicity

Employing a modern, minimalistic design aesthetic, we’ve used board-formed concrete along the ground level, white paneling with contracting black steel and metal trim above. Warm cedar envelops the underside of the soffits above and down the main entrances of the retail and residential lobby.