Seattle, WA
A New Art-Forward Hotel Is Opening In Seattle This Spring
Hotel Westland is set to open in spring 2025.
Another Artist
A new art-centric hotel is making its way to downtown Seattle.
Hotel Westland, a boutique lifestyle hotel, will open in spring 2025 in the heart of the city’s RailSpur micro-district.
Located in the charming Pioneer Square neighborhood, RailSpur is a block of adaptive reuse historic buildings that has become a lively community and cultural hub in the Emerald City. Developed by real estate developers Urban Villages and managed by Aparium, Hotel Westland’s rich history will be at the forefront of the property’s design as the original 1907 structure will remain intact.
With architecture from Miller Hull and interiors designed by Curioso, the hotel’s color story will be reminiscent of the hues found throughout Pacific Northwest landscapes. Rich blues and greens adorn the 120 guestrooms and will mimic the tones of Washington’s wildlife-filled waters and lush greenery, while warm textile finishes, patinated metals, natural brick and exposed timber pay homage to the building’s original architectural expression.
Art is also at the center of the hotel, with a thriving art program spanning across the property’s vibrant lobby, and beyond. A robust collection of 328 Pacific Northwest-inspired works have been carefully curated by art production house ARTXIV to give guests a deeper look into Washington’s vibrance and charm. In summer 2024, the company debuted its art collection that is to be featured in the hotel with exhibitions at at RailSpur’s 419 Occidental Ave building and the Seattle Art Fair. 30 commissioned artists spent three months working on hundreds of original pieces that show just why Seattle is a known as a city for creatives.
Rendering of Hotel Westland’s lobby.
Another Artist
“Pioneer Square has deep history and roots as a center for the arts and it’s been special to develop a space where artists can collaborate and be inspired by their surroundings, creating artwork for the hotel on site that reflects a sense of place,” Jon Buerge, President of Urban Villages, said. “This art production studio and resulting collection serve as an example of how developers and creatives can work together to cultivate the next vibrant community, and we’re excited to bring together the best of art, design, culinary, and hospitality at Hotel Westland.”
The hotel will feature Pioneer Square’s first-ever rooftop bar and restaurant, with jaw-dropping views of the Puget Sound and Seattle skyline.
MORE FROM FORBES
The West Seattle Junction space formerly occupied by Willow, preceded by Fleurt, will not be empty for long. A familiar Junction fashion entrepreneur is moving into 4536 California SW – here’s the announcement:
Well-known West Seattle staple Carmilia’s announced today that it will open a new store in the Alaska Junction, offering everything from skincare products to fashion accessories. The new store, located at 4536 California Ave SW, formerly home to Fleurt and Willow, will do a soft opening on Art Walk Night, May 14, 2026. Carmilia’s owner, Linda Walsh, is at the helm of the project.
The store will be filled with all of Walsh’s favorite things: shoes, accessories, and gifts, at a variety of price points. It’s the perfect place to find unique and playful items for your next celebration or shopping spree. The store’s scheduled hours are Wednesday-Saturday 11 am-6 pm, and Sunday 10 am-4 pm.
Walsh told us she hasn’t yet settled on a name, so if you pass the future shop’s windows you will probably see “Watch This Space” as a placeholder!
Kansas football coach Lance Leipold speaks at Jayhawks’ pro day event
Check out some of what Kansas football coach Lance Leipold had to say recently at the Jayhawks’ 2026 pro day event in Lawrence.
LAWRENCE — Emmanuel Henderson Jr. went into the 2026 NFL Draft in April thinking that third day, when the fourth-through-seventh rounds played out, would be when he’d be taken.
Henderson, a wide receiver in college for Kansas football this past season, wasn’t sure which team would pick him. He’d talked with the Seattle Seahawks organization during the pre-draft process sure, but there was nothing guaranteed. Overall, he was just ready for his first professional opportunity.
Seattle, though, did end up being the team that drafted him in the sixth round. That the Seahawks are coming off of a Super Bowl title certainly stands out to him, as does the fact he’ll be able to reunite with some former teammates from Alabama — where he was, prior to transferring to KU for the 2025 season. And he’s both happy to have ended up in Seattle, and eager to show what he’d told NFL teams about his ability during the pre-draft process.
“You could see from my film, I can take the top off any defense you put me against,” Henderson said recently. “Not only that, that I’m a receiver that loves to play special teams. So, that’s one of the great abilities I got to showcase, too.”
Henderson became an All-Big 12 Conference first team honoree as a returner this past season, in addition to making the third team as a wide receiver. He added an honorable mention recognition for offensive newcomer of the year. He came to Kansas because it gave him a chance to showcase his talents, because there was playing time up for grabs, and he took advantage of his opportunity.
Henderson, who highlighted his kickoff return for a touchdown against West Virginia as one fond memory, sees his special teams experience as something that can give him an advantage as he tries to make Seattle’s roster. That he’s played at different spots there, he feels, makes him a more versatile athlete. As the offseason unfolds, he just wants to show his new coaches his personality as he puts in more work, and develop chemistry with his new teammates.
KU coach Lance Leipold shared a post on social media following Henderson’s selection by Seattle, expressing his support. Henderson’s also heard from so many friends and family members in the days since. Now, it’s just about making sure that versatility translates to the next level.
“I’m looking forward to just moving around, inside, outside receiver, even part of the backfield if I get the chance to,” Henderson said. “But anywhere they’ll put me I’d love to go.”
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
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