SEATTLE – Populus Hotels, a collection of carbon positive
hotels, will open the Populus Seattle this spring with online reservations that
include planting a tree for every night stayed. Sounds gimmicky? Perhaps. But
owner Urban Villages puts a lot more teeth behind its second carbon positive
hotel.
Populus Seattle follows a rigorous Life Cycle Assessment
(LCA) to evaluate the environmental impact of every material, system, and
process from construction to decommissioning. The team identifies opportunities
to reduce embodied and operational carbon through low impact means and methods,
renewable energy, and waste reduction strategies. After every possible
reduction has been implemented, the property offsets the remaining footprint
with high-quality U.S. nature-based carbon credits to ensure a net negative
carbon outcome.
Populus Seattle rooftop – credit ARTXIV
Among its carbon positive messaging:
Populus Seattle will achieve carbon positive status –
i.e. the project emissions are net negative – by reducing its embodied carbon
footprint through a combination of sustainable design and construction
techniques, then offset through ecological sequestration efforts and the
purchase of nature-based carbon credits. This sustainability strategy includes:
- Adaptively reusing a historic structure,
which reduces its embodied carbon footprint by 36% compared to a baseline
new construction project—an equivalent emissions reduction of 2.2
million miles driven. - Intentionally avoiding building onsite parking
to encourage a pedestrian-friendly lifestyle and avoid additional
carbon-intensive development. - Implementing new windows, which lower energy use
while maintaining natural daylight throughout the seasons. - Procuring 100% renewable power via Renewable
Energy Credits (RECs) - After every possible reduction has been
implemented, the property offsets the remaining footprint with
high-integrity and durable U.S. nature-based carbon credits from
top-tier registries to ensure a net negative carbon outcome. - Planting a tree for every night stayed at the
hotel through the One Night, One Tree program. - Partnering with local farms to
implement regenerative practices. - Deploying BioGreen360 “Food Cycling”
technology to divert food waste into compost while tracking real-time
diversion data.
“Today’s travelers are seeking experiences that align with
their values, and the early success of Populus Denver shows how deeply a carbon
positive approach can resonate,” said Urban Villages President Buerge. “As we
prepare to open Populus Seattle, we’re continuing to prioritize a holistic and
intentional model of responsible hospitality—one that enriches the guest
experience while leaving a positive impact on both people and the planet. This
approach not only reflects what guests are looking for, but also delivers
lasting value.”
Hotel details
Populus Seattle (Populus Denver opened fall 2024) preserves
a 1907 building with an immersive Pacific Northwest rainforest-inspired feel
unique to its Seattle location.
Salt Harvest solarium – credit Curioso
Created by Urban Villages and managed by Aparium Hotel
Group, the hotel will feature 120 luxury guest rooms and suites; a signature
restaurant, Salt Harvest; Pioneer Square’s first rooftop bar; a café; two
flexible meeting and event spaces; a collection of more than 300
nature-inspired artworks created onsite; and design that merges the urban
heritage of the city with the natural ecology of Washington.
Formerly known as the Westland Building and located in the
heart of Seattle’s Pioneer Square, Populus Seattle is one of three main
historic buildings that are connected by activated alleyways.
Architecture by The Miller Hull Partnership, interior design
by Curioso and landscape design by Seattle-based Site Workship, the hotel is
informed by the natural ecology of Washington. Guests arrive through a biophilic
entryway into a lobby where native plants, nature-inspired art, and preserved
Douglas Fir beams speak to the building’s historic character and layered design
story.
Hospitality suite – credit Curioso
From the lobby, a wood staircase guides guests to the
second-floor restaurant, where abundant greenery creates a seamless transition
into the glass-wrapped Solarium. Above, the rooftop bar offers lush landscaping
and sweeping views of the skyline. Throughout, the interplay of biophilic
design and preserved architectural details, including exposed historic car
decking and brick, reflect a deliberate balance of natural beauty and urban
edge, connecting guests to both the spirit of Pioneer Square and the greater
Pacific Northwest.
Populus Seattle further pays homage to its surroundings
through an art collection curated by global art production house ARTXIV.
Featuring more than 300 original commissions by 35 local and international
artists, the collection celebrates the region’s landscapes, heritage, and
creative energy, while adding vibrancy and dimension to the hotel’s guest rooms
and communal spaces. The works of art were created on-site and offer an
immersive journey through themes of identity, resilience, and transformation.
Hospitality Suite terrace – credit Curioso
Populus Seattle’s guest rooms are a designed to feel both
luxurious and grounded in the distinct beauty of the Pacific Northwest. The
Summit Suite serves as expansive sanctuary on the top floor, inclusive of a
dining area, kitchenette, soaking tub, and private terrace overlooking the
city.
Populus Seattle will debut Salt Harvest, a signature,
hearth-driven restaurant that showcases the bounty of the Pacific Northwest,
including a Chef’s Counter, two private dining rooms, and The Solarium.
