Populus Seattle debuts in historic Pioneer Square with rooftop bar Firn and an immersive design that connects guests to the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. As a carbon positive boutique hotel, Populus Seattle merges sustainability, art, and architecture in a 120-room adaptive reuse property developed by Urban Villages and operated by Aparium Hotel Group.
Carbon Positive Design in a 1907 Landmark
Originally constructed in 1907 as the Westland Building, the property has been transformed into Populus Seattle through an adaptive reuse process by The Miller Hull Partnership. By repurposing materials like Douglas Fir beams, historic brick, and reclaimed car decking, the hotel’s carbon footprint is significantly lower than that of a new build. The design preserves architectural integrity while opening a dramatic skylight to flood the interior with natural light, a tribute to sustainability and history coexisting in harmony.
The project reduced embodied carbon by 36%—equal to avoiding 2.2 million miles driven—and offsets all remaining emissions via Verra-certified carbon credits through King County’s Forest Carbon Program. Guests further contribute to this mission through the One Night, One Tree initiative, which plants a tree for every night’s stay.
Immersive Interiors and Ecological Art
Populus Seattle’s interiors, designed by Curioso, are inspired by the city’s cultural pulse and natural surroundings. Organic lines, raw materials, and exposed structure define the hotel’s aesthetic, while biophilic elements soften the space. Guests are welcomed by a suspended forest art installation called G(host) Forest, featuring 500-year-old trees native to the region. A multistory moss wall climbs through the lobby’s skylight, while tropical plants and native greenery flourish throughout common areas.
The hotel’s 300+ piece art collection, curated with ARTXIV, showcases works from 35 artists including Sean Barton, Andrea Heimer, and Kimberly Trowbridge. Themes span from Seattle’s Indigenous heritage to its 20th-century art renaissance, bringing narrative depth to the guest experience.
Serene Rooms and Community-Focused Amenities
Each of the 120 guest rooms is designed to reflect the Pacific Northwest’s quiet strength. Signature accommodations include:
- Lupine King Room: Exposed brick, curated art, and large windows
- Noble Fir Studio King: Lounge space and soaking tub
- Summit Suite: Kitchenette, dining area, private terrace
On the ground floor, guests find The Library and The Art Room—event spaces regularly hosting creative community programming. The second floor leads to Salt Harvest, the hotel’s signature restaurant, and The Café at Salt Harvest, which offers Monorail Espresso and fresh pastries through a street-level entrance for locals and commuters alike.
Pioneer Square’s First Rooftop Bar: Firn
Firn, the only rooftop bar in Pioneer Square, offers sweeping views of the Seattle skyline and waterfront. The name “Firn” refers to compacted glacial snow, reflected in the bar’s concept of cocktails organized by types of ice. The seasonal menu showcases local ingredients preserved through canning, pickling, and curing to highlight the region’s natural bounty all year long. The design integrates native plants and reclaimed materials, embodying the same environmental ethos found throughout the hotel.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Pioneer Square, Seattle |
| Total Rooms | 120 |
| Signature Dining | Salt Harvest, Firn rooftop bar |
| Opening Date | May 2025 |
| Carbon Positive Initiative | One Night, One Tree + Carbon Offsets |
| Art Collection | 300+ works by 35 artists |
Rod Lapasin, Managing Director, emphasized the hotel’s deep roots in the local community: “This is a neighborhood with real history and personality, and we’ve built a hotel that feels like a natural extension of that energy.”
Located just 15 minutes from Pike Place Market and the cruise port, Populus Seattle is ideally situated for visitors seeking an immersive and sustainable city stay. Nightly rates begin at $359, with reservations for Salt Harvest and Firn available on OpenTable. The property is part of the RailSpur micro-district, a development by Urban Villages that connects three historic buildings through shared alleyways with public programming and cultural events.
Whether you’re sipping cocktails above the city or sleeping beneath reclaimed timber beams, Populus Seattle offers a new model for conscious, connected travel in one of the Pacific Northwest’s most storied neighborhoods.
Photo credit: Ric Stovall
