October 2023 Project of The Month: The Bar at Bombo, Seattle Convention Center
The Seattle Convention Center has unveiled its dazzling $2 billion addition, the Summit building, in the heart of downtown Seattle. This monumental structure aims to revitalize the city core that faced significant disruptions during the pandemic, drawing in visitors and reigniting the vibrancy of the region.
The Summit building, a five-year labor of love, stands as North America's first high-rise convention center. It nearly doubles the capacity of the original Convention Center, creating a hub for events and activities. Boasting impressive statistics, the Summit offers 573,770 square feet of event space, 62 meeting rooms, a massive 58,000-square-foot column-free ballroom, and 248,450 square feet of exhibit space. The venue is designed with natural light in mind, featuring 140,700 square feet of well-lit lobby space and a 14,000-square-foot outdoor Garden Terrace.
Beyond its grandeur, the Summit building is an architectural masterpiece, showcasing steel, wood, and glass in stark contrast to the historic Paramount Theater across the street. Reclaimed wood from the Pacific Northwest region is used extensively in the design, with intricate plywood chandeliers and wooden ceilings that pay homage to the region's rich history.
The building incorporates uniquely Seattle and Pacific Northwest touches, such as numeric indicators on each floor, symbolizing the region's diverse industries and culture. Sustainability is at the forefront of its design, with features like plant-based acoustic ceiling tiles, electric vehicle charging stations, rooftop solar panels, and a rainwater harvesting system.
The Summit's completion is seen as a massive win for downtown Seattle, with the potential to attract millions of visitors annually. The Downtown Seattle Association reports a steady recovery, with over 2.2 million visitors in December, a significant increase from the previous year. Jon Scholes, President and CEO of the Downtown Seattle Association, believes that the Summit building's central location contributes to the city's vibrancy and economic growth.
With its modern design, sustainable features, and commitment to inclusivity, the Seattle Convention Center's Summit building is not just a convention space but a beacon of hope for Seattle's downtown core, ready to welcome visitors and revitalize the city in a post-pandemic world.
Tucked within the new Seattle Convention Center, right across from the Paramount Theatre on Pine Street in downtown Seattle, Bombo Italian Kitchen is Chef Ethan Stowell's latest culinary endeavor, a celebration of the artistry of pizza. With a sprawling space encompassing the restaurant, two bars, and seating for nearly 200 guests, Bombo is a destination for pizza aficionados and lovers of traditional Italian cuisine alike.
The centerpiece of Bombo's menu is its pizza selection, boasting over a dozen varieties to please any palate. From the classic Margherita to the inventive Fiore featuring squash blossoms and zucchini, each pizza is a masterpiece in its own right. The eponymous Bombo pizza, a customer favorite, features a tantalizing combination of Napoli tomato sauce, mozzarella, soppressata, hot honey drizzle, and freshly cut basil, all atop a dough that's been meticulously aged for three days.
Beyond pizza, Bombo offers a delectable array of traditional Italian dishes, including antipasto and house-made pasta, all meticulously crafted with seasonal Pacific Northwest ingredients. To complement your meal, indulge in craft cocktails or savor a glass of house wine.
Chef Stowell's dedication to perfecting the pizza experience shines through in every bite. "We want it to be the place in Seattle downtown that people are coming to get the pizza," says Stowell. At Bombo, pizza isn't just a dish; it's an art form, where the dough takes center stage, aged to perfection for that coveted sourdough effect.
Bombo Italian Kitchen opens its doors seven days a week, welcoming guests for lunch, happy hour, and dinner. It's not just a restaurant; it's a culinary journey where the love for pizza and Italian cuisine comes alive in the heart of Seattle's vibrant downtown.
Western Neon is set to illuminate two exciting additions coming soon to the convention center – Pike Brewing and Piroshky Piroshky. As a trusted partner in crafting eye-catching signage, Western Neon will bring its expertise to enhance the visibility and aesthetic appeal of these iconic Seattle establishments. The collaboration promises to infuse vibrant, custom-designed neon signs that will not only guide visitors but also add a touch of Seattle's unique character to the convention center's atmosphere. With Western Neon on board, both Pike Brewing and Piroshky Piroshky are poised to shine even brighter in their new convention center homes.
Western Neon creates custom signage, interiors, and public art. With over 35 years of experience, we make your vision a success from the first idea to the finishing touch. Start a project today!