The Associated Students of the University of Washington (ASUW) Shell House has served many uses throughout its storied history: seaplane hangar for the U.S. Navy, shell house for UW rowing, boat building workshop for George Pocock’s legendary racing shells, canoe rental operations, and storage facility for waterfront recreation vessels. Built in 1918, the 13,000-square-foot building resides on land used by Indigenous Coast Salish peoples to carry canoes between Lake Washington and Portage Bay. The ASUW Shell House has been recognized on the National Register for Historic Places (1975) and as a Seattle Landmark (2018).
The scope of work developed for this project addresses code-related improvements required by a change of occupancy from a storage facility to assembly occupancy. It also includes program-related improvements to support student and community gatherings while continuing to maintain the historic character of the building.
The project is currently in the early stages of construction. More information will be posted when available.