Seattle Council Approves Massive Downtown Mixed-Use Development Near Westlake

Seattle’s City Council voted 8-1 late Wednesday to greenlight a transformative 38-story mixed-use tower at 6th Avenue and Lenora Street, marking the largest single new development approved downtown since before the pandemic. The $950 million project, led by Columbia Atlantic Partners, brings 800 apartments, two levels of retail, and a public plaza to a site that’s sat vacant since Macy’s closed its nearby warehouse in 2020.

The decision comes as city leaders grapple with revitalizing the central business district after years of sluggish office demand and shifting population patterns. Local shop owners and civic groups have urged the city to prioritize density and mixed-use offerings between Belltown and South Lake Union, hoping to spark foot traffic along arterials hurt by empty storefronts and remote work trends.

Pivotal Growth in Heart of Downtown

The approved tower will sit at the southeast corner of 6th and Lenora, adjacent to the Amazon Spheres and a short walk from Westlake Center. Developers say the design includes a 25,000-square-foot pedestrian plaza and year-round public art installations. Columbia Atlantic Partners, which also redeveloped Pacific Place, has pledged to earmark at least 130 apartments for renters earning 80% of area median income under the city’s Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) program. Discussions are ongoing with nonprofit FareStart about operating a ground-floor workforce training café on site.

The Downtown Seattle Association says that occupancy rates in the area’s office towers remain at about 61%, only a modest uptick from 2024’s 57% low. Meanwhile, residential rents in the CBD now average $2,650 for a one-bedroom, up almost 7% from a year ago, according to CoStar data. In its briefing to Council, the city’s Office of Planning and Community Development cited the urgent need to increase housing supply near transit, with the Westlake light rail station just two blocks from the new site.

Next Steps for Neighbors and Future Renters

With final design review slated for September, construction could break ground as early as March 2027. City planners said they will hold two more public forums this fall at Plymouth Church on 6th Avenue and Belltown Community Center to finalize green space and mobility improvements around the site. Prospective residents can track updates or sign up for early apartment interest at the project’s portal, while neighborhood feedback on public plaza features is open until August 24. Columbia Atlantic expects the building’s first move-ins in late 2029, with retail spaces aiming for spring 2030 openings.

The 6th and Lenora project signals renewed confidence in Seattle’s core, even as economic crosswinds persist. As local leaders try to balance growth, affordability, and neighborhood vitality, this tower’s approval brings a welcome jolt to downtown’s recovery—and to the city skyline.