Thomas Street Redevelopment

Thomas Street is the busiest pedestrian corridor on the Seattle Center campus, its retail nexus, and the point of arrival for millions of visitors from around Seattle, the region, and the world. In June 2025, Seattle Center issued a request for proposals (RFP) for a private partner to help upgrade and redevelop the existing retail site on Thomas Street, with the goal to complement Seattle Center’s planned public investment in the redesigned and revitalized festival street.

The project’s intent is to activate the streetscape with innovative retail and/or other new attractions, support Seattle Center’s efforts to improve Thomas Street as a pedestrian experience and generate long-term revenue to support Seattle Center’s operations and its diverse public programming. Seattle Center aims to create a vibrant hub which not only draws more visitors to the campus but also creates spillover engagement with the surrounding area.

“This is a unique opportunity to enhance Thomas Street as a vital gateway to Seattle Center,” said Diamatris Winston, Seattle Center interim director. “We are looking for partners who share our vision for a vibrant space which connects to the surrounding neighborhoods, enhances the visitor experience, and creates a welcoming public space for all.”

Key Objectives of the RFP:

• Enhancing Thomas Street: The project seeks to unify and improve Thomas Street, creating an engaging public space that complements Seattle Center’s mix of programs, attractions, and open spaces. New retail and other attractions should add energy and interest to the area while welcoming a diverse range of visitors.
• Long-Term Partnership and Revenue: The City of Seattle is looking for an experienced partner to design, build, operate, and maintain a new Thomas Street retail amenity and/or related attractions that will be financially sustainable and return annual revenue to Seattle Center.

Three proposals were received and evaluated based on the proposers’ relevant expertise and demonstrated ability to execute their vision; the proposed financial return to Seattle Center; the quality of the redevelopment proposal; and the program’s compatibility with Seattle Center’s purpose and contribution to the mix of attractions at Seattle Center. A panel of evaluators composed of Seattle Center staff and community partners determined that the proposal by Space Needle LLC came closest to meeting the expectations laid out in the RFP.

Seattle Center anticipates beginning negotiations by mid-year. Entering negotiations does not guarantee a final agreement; must meet Seattle Center’s financial, operational, and public benefit objectives; and will be subject to required City approvals.