Belltown Neighborhood
C’ C
Retail core
first avenue Historically 1st Avenue is the first avenue to be built in Seattle. When you ask people, 1st Avenue is considered to be the main street in Seattle. Yet this is not so obvious when walking around the downtown. The built environment and the activities along 1st Avenue have different characters, which creates a street with a changing urban pulse, but not necessarily a main street.
Waterfront
B
B’
Office Core
A
A’
Historical District
1st Avenue hosts many of Seattle’s downtown important destinations; entrances to Pike Place Market, main street into the historic district, Pioneer Square Park, Seattle Art Museum, and the entrance to The Harbor Steps. The street is also lined with shops, cafés, and restaurants. All this activity creates the base for a main street. Yet, a main street should be even more vibrant with more recreational qualities. The main street gives a city the opportunity to show the world how it wants to be perceived. Regarding 1st Avenue from this perspective, the street lacks a coherent character and it does not have the typical ‘main street qualities’; such as many invitations to urban recreation (both commercial and public), high quality pavement, attractive façades, and general high priority for pedestrians with obvious pedestrian connections to surrounding attractions.
Zone 1 5’
Zone 2 52’
Zone 3 5’
Zone 1 9’
Zone 2 55’
Zone 3 9’
Zone 1 8’
Zone 2 50’
Zone 3 8’
Section st re et profi l e : 1 st a v e n u e & s . w a s h i n gton stA-A’ . 1:400
st re et profi l e : 1 st a v e n u e & u n i v e rs iSection t y st .B-B’ 1:400
st re et profi l e : 1 st a v e n u e & v i rg i n iSection a st . B-B’ 1:400
se c t i on a - a / 1:400
se c t i on b - b / 1:400
Zone 1: Average sidewalk width, obstacles free Zone 2: Vehicle right of way; on-street parking at one side, 3 lanes travel north and 2 lanes travel south 3: Average sidewalk with street tree and street furniture ZoneZone 1: Average sidewalk width.
se c t i on c - c / 1:400
Zone 1: Average sidewalk width with street tree Zone 2: Vehicle right of way; on-street parking at one side, 2 lanes travel north and 2 lanes travel south ZoneZone 1: Average width. Street trees. furniture and activity 3: Averagesidewalk sidewalk with street tree and commercial
Zone 2: Vehicle right of way. 2 lanes travel north and 2 lanes travel south.
Zone 2: Vehicle right of way. 3 lanes travel north and 2 lanes travel south. On-street parking at one side.
Zone 2: Vehicle right of way. 2 lanes travel north and 2 lanes travel south. On-street parking at one side.
Zone 3: Average sidewalk width. Street trees and street furniture.
Zone 3: Average sidewalk width. Street trees and street furniture.
Zone 3: Average sidewalk width. Street trees and commercial furniture.
Street Profile: 1st Ave and S. Washington St.
Zone 1: Average sidewalk with Commercial Furniture and Activity Zone 2: Vehicle right of way; Minimun width median with planting, 2 lanes travel north and 2 lanes travel south Zone 3: sidewalk with street tree and street furniture Zone 1:Average Average sidewalk width. Commercial furniture.
66
Street Profile: 1st Ave and University St.
GEHL ARCHITECTS • SEATTLE PUBLIC SPACE & PUBLIC LIFE • ANALYSIS - THE CITY
Street Profile: 1st Ave and Virginia St.