Jacobs Supported Overlook in Seattle Reconnects the City and Waterfront

The highly anticipated Overlook Walk, a new elevated park connecting Seattle’s waterfront to downtown, officially opened in October 2024. 

Named one of the New York Times’ “Four Must-See Parks This Fall”, this landmark project – which is part of the City of Seattle’s broader Waterfront Seattle Program – aims to reconnect the city with its waterfront, providing stunning views and accessible pathways for residents and visitors alike… and Jacobs played a critical role, serving as the project manager and structural design lead.

The Overlook Walk features two concrete structures—one precast and one cast-in-place—that integrate with adjacent buildings and span a four-lane roadway. It features a combination of accessible ramps, stairs and elevators, ensuring that people of all ages and abilities can enjoy seamless connections between key attractions such as Pike Place Market, the Seattle Aquarium and the new Waterfront Park. 

The vibrant space offers a scenic and accessible route for residents and visitors to enjoy the city’s waterfront, with breathtaking 360-degree views. The design also includes landscaped planters, seating areas, a kids play area, and a glass canopy with a cozy café, creating a welcoming and comfortable environment. 

“There’s nearly 100 feet of elevation between the Pike Place Market and the Waterfront, and numerous constraints/conditions to accommodate on a project of this size. Over the years, there had been dozens of plans proposed to allow people to comfortably navigate this major change in elevation,” explains Jacobs Technical Design Lead and Project Manager Andrew Barash. ”Working closely with our urban designer, Jacobs developed a plan that included a combination of accessible ramps, stairs and elevators, a café space, glass canopy, benches, landscaped planters and lighting to provide a comfortable and inviting connection between Seattle’s two top tourist locations.” 

The completion of Overlook Walk marks a significant milestone in Seattle’s waterfront transformation. The iconic project is part of several related efforts on Seattle’s waterfront that Jacobs is serving as prime consultant for the design team on. 

“With the recent completion of Overlook Walk, residents and visitors alike now have a new and exciting way to walk between the Pike Place Market, the Seattle Aquarium, Waterfront Park, Pier 62 and destinations beyond,” adds Andrew. “The opening of Overlook Walk is a major milestone in the city's long-standing efforts to connect downtown Seattle with its waterfront and a project Jacobs is immensely proud to have played a part in delivering.”

In February, the Overlook Walk project received the National Gold Award in the Transportation category from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Washington.