The project began when the City commissioned a study of five Bellevue sites as possible locations for a new city hall and public safety facility. Extensive planning and financial models were created to identify the best site for this new city hall and public safety complex, which involved a complete renovation and redesign of the old Qwest headquarters. All City departments are now housed under one roof, including the technically specialized functions of the police department and the City’s emergency response infrastructure.

The design artfully interweaves these functions with generous and elegant public spaces that welcome citizens to participate in their government. Detailed departmental space planning was completed for city hall and public safety functions, as well as layout, selection, and specifications for open office workstations for 900 employees.

At the new building’s heart is a 300-foot long light-filled public concourse. The renovation includes the design of a new circular city council chambers. Re-cladding the former painted concrete exterior with terra cotta and metal panels added to the building’s overall transformation; seismic and energy efficient improvements also updated the building’s older infrastructure. Unlike the entry to the existing building, which descended nearly a full story and was not visible from the street, the new city hall entry celebrates its place in the city by reaching out to the street and the plaza and lawn.