Location
Belltown Neighborhood
Seattle, Washington
Size
2,000 SF
Timeframe
2015 – 2016
Design Collaborator (Bell Hanger)
FivePly Design
Cabinetry & Woodwork
Stusser Woodworks
General Contractor
DowBuilt
Photography
Perspective Image
Located in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood, this condominium renovation reimagines a unit in the Continental Place tower as a refined home and gallery, tailored to its owners’ art and mineral collections. Upward Architecture, working in collaboration with then SchuchartDow Construction (now DowBuilt), transformed the kitchen and living/dining areas to create a contemporary, open flow that maximizes sweeping views of Elliott Bay and downtown Seattle.
The design emphasizes a restrained material palette—oak and walnut woods, natural stone, and subtle neutral finishes—serving as a calm backdrop for vibrant art and carefully curated objects. Sightlines were reoriented to allow the kitchen to open directly toward the water, making everyday activities part of the view experience. Custom casework throughout was crafted by Stusser Woodworks, integrating storage and display with fine detailing.
A centerpiece of the project is the custom fossil cabinet, designed specifically to showcase the owner’s extensive collection. With glass-topped display drawers and carefully lit niches, the cabinet elevates the scientific artifacts into a living-room focal point. Other bespoke touches include the bell hanger in the entry, a collaboration between Upward Architecture and FivePly Design, which transforms a family heirloom into an artful installation.
Together, these interventions strike a balance between function, craft, and curation. The residence is at once a comfortable home, a gallery for personal collections, and a stage for panoramic urban and waterfront views—an elegant reflection of the owners’ lives and passions.
”David and I had the pleasure of working with Mark Ward on the remodel of our condominium at Continental Place. Mark was thoughtful in the design, wanting to know about our lifestyle and getting a sense of what was important to us. David has a prized art and fossil collection, which Mark was careful to incorporate into the design without overpowering it.
Mark brought his creativity, knowledge and experience to this project. It was his kindness, warmth and easy-to-be-with style that led to a great collaboration and a close relationship, a person we are delighted to recommend as a professional, and one we call a friend.
Janet StarrHomeowner
