public relations | Public affairs About Us Our Team Our Work Clients In The News contact
  Go Back To Home Page    
 
 
 
   

Westlake/Terry Building Opens in South Lake Union as New Home for Group Health Cooperative

  • Group Health set to move 700 employees to the South Lake Union neighborhood; donates $100,000 to Lake Union Park for Group Health Bicycle & Pedestrian Trail
  • Full-block, two-building development designed as a highly sustainable, LEED-Gold facility

Seattle, WA — August 8, 2007

Vulcan Inc. and Group Health Cooperative today announced the completion of the Westlake/Terry Building, a new 317,403-square-foot two-building complex in South Lake Union that will serve as Group Health's new headquarters, housing nearly 700 administrative staff.

As the anchor tenant, Group Health is occupying 185,000 square feet of the Westlake/Terry Building, which spans a full city block bordered by Westlake Avenue North, Terry Avenue North, Harrison Street and Thomas Street in the heart of South Lake Union. Group Health will move into its new headquarters on August 24.

"This new building represents a commitment to current and future generations of Group Health members that we will serve them in ways that are technologically advanced, efficient and accessible," said Scott Armstrong, Group Health president and CEO. "This vibrant workspace will allow us to continue innovating to engage patients in creating healthier lives through things like on-line access to medical records and secure e-mail communication with doctors."

"We're delighted to welcome Group Health to South Lake Union – a neighborhood that continues to attract a critical mass of creative, pioneering companies drawn to the energy of a sustainable urban environment," said Ada M. Healey, vice president of real estate at Vulcan Inc. "As a state-of-the-art sustainable, transit-oriented development, the Westlake/Terry Building is raising the bar on environmentally friendly projects that not only enhance the quality of life for its tenants but also add value tothe greater community."

The state-of-the-art sustainable development encourages a sense of openness and collaboration, while supporting the specific workspace needs of Group Health's staff. Prior to the relocation, Group Health researched workplaces of comparable organizations and assessed its own use of existing office space. The research reveals that team space has become an increasingly important part of the modern workplace, with an average of nearly 40 percent of Group Health's previous individual workspaces found empty at any given time. Accordingly, the new headquarters is designed with smaller individual workspaces and more space for team meetings and collaboration.

The Westlake/Terry development consists of two buildings – one six stories and one four stories. The four-story building on the east block includes 128,840 square feet of office space and 19,498 square feet of street-level retail. The six-story building on the west block includes 148,235 square feet of office and 20,830 square feet of street-level retail. Callison is the architect for the project, and GLY is the general contractor.

STATE-OF-THE-ART SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The Westlake/Terry Building is designed as a highly sustainable, eco-friendly facility that is expected to become one of Seattle's first projects to achieve the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED-Gold (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification for commercial core and shell.

Key sustainable features include:

  • Unparalleled proximity to public transportation bordered along three sides by the upcoming Seattle Streetcar line
  • Shower facilities and bike storage rooms to encourage alternative transit
  • Over 84 percent of demolition and 95 percent of new construction waste was recycled
  • More natural daylight than traditional office buildings
  • Non-ozone-depleting HVAC system to protect local eco-system
  • Water system designed to reduce potable water use by more than 40 percent
  • Native, drought-resistant landscaping
  • Reflective roofing material to decrease "urban heat" output
  • High performance building envelope and building systems expected to reduce energy costs by at least 30 percent
  • Use of local building materials helped reduce energy consumption and pollution associated with transportation
  • Utilizes an innovative energy model that combines the resources of both Seattle City Light and Puget Sound Energy

PROJECT ARTWORK REFLECTS NEIGHBORHOOD'S HISTORY

The artwork installed as part of the Westlake/Terry Building not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the development but also provides a glimpse into South Lake Union's history. When Terry Avenue was originally developed for industrial use in the late 19th century, the neighborhood still contained remnants of old-growth forests, with the occasional tall evergreen standing in sharp contrast to the surrounding, newly formed urban grid.

The Westlake/Terry Building incorporates four sculptural elements created by local Seattle artist Claudia Fitch titled "PLACEHOLDERS: Cloud, Rock, Tree." The artwork uses urban components – brick, steel and street landscaping – combined with planted "survivor" evergreen trees to meld historic and contemporary elements along Terry Avenue and Thomas Street. The four sculptures, made of painted steel and ranging from 10 to 30 feet tall, each feature an oval grid suspended horizontally on top of an arched pole that balance on their metal stalks like futuristic trees.

NEW RETAIL AMENITIES FOR GROWING NEIGHBORHOOD

The Westlake/Terry Building features 40,328 square feet of street-level retail that will provide additional amenities for the neighborhood's growing number of employees and residents. Rain Fitness plans to open a 14,000-square-foot fitness center this fall, and other project retailers include Starbucks and Group Health Credit Union. Vulcan has executed "Letters of Intent" agreements to lease another 12,000 square feet of retail space at the Westlake/Terry Building, and another 10,000 square feet of retail is still available for lease.

GROUP HEALTH DONATES $100,000 TO LAKE UNION PARK

As further commitment to South Lake Union as its new home, Group Health has donated $100,000 to The Seattle Parks Foundation to sponsor the "Group Health Bicycle & Pedestrian Trail," in the emerging Lake Union Park. This trail will join a system of trails throughout the park that will be constructed in the second phase of the park's renovation. The Group Health trail represents the longest bicycle and pedestrian trail in the park, with bike racks that will be installed at each end of the trail.

"As new neighbors in South Lake Union, we are proud to offer a contribution that highlights our commitment to promoting active lifestyles," Armstrong said. "Lake Union Park will be a major attraction for our staff, members, city residents and visitors to Seattle."

Vulcan Inc., which owns approximately 60 acres in Seattle's South Lake Union neighborhood, has more than 1.4 million square feet under construction. The South Lake Union redevelopment project is one of the largest development efforts in the United States and will consist of more than 10 million-square-feet when completed. Vulcan's vision for the neighborhood is to work with community and city officials and partner with local organizations to create a vibrant, diverse neighborhood that blends housing, retail, office, life sciences research, open space and public transportation.

About Vulcan Real Estate

Vulcan Real Estate directs all real estate strategies for Vulcan Inc., a Paul G. Allen company. Through strategic acquisitions and innovative development, Vulcan Real Estate creates a diversified portfolio of high-performing, quality assets. The company's experienced, talented team of real estate professionals offers a full range of development services from site selection to build-to-suit construction. Its real estate model is based on quality, sustainable development that builds new value across the entire community. For more information, visit www.vulcanrealestate.com.

About Group Health Cooperative

Founded in 1947, Group Health is a consumer-governed, nonprofit health care system that coordinates care and coverage. Based in Seattle, Group Health and its subsidiary health carriers, Group Health Options, Inc. and KPS Health Plans, serve nearly 580,000 members in Washington and Idaho. Group Health's commercial and Medicare plans have received the top rating of "Excellent" from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).

Group Health encompasses medical and specialty centers, hospitals (including a full service community hospital), a nationally recognized research center, and a charitable foundation. Group Health and Group Health Permanente (its multi specialty medical group practice) combined employ more than 9,000 staff.

Please visit the virtual newsroom on Group Heath's Web site, www.ghc.org under "Newsroom."

BACK TO TOP