Seattle Set To Double Convention Center Size

<B> Seattle Set To Double Convention Center Size</B>

The Washington State Convention and Trade Center in downtown Seattle will more than double its exhibition space when an ambitious construction project, scheduled to begin in July, is completed by a target date of late 2000.

A key design feature of the planned 105,000-square-foot, heavy load exhibit space is an 8,000-square-foot, glass-enclosed sky bridge over Pike Street that will connect the new exhibit hall with the existing 102,000-square-foot hall, according to Linda Willanger, executive assistant to the convention center president.

The 90-foot-wide bridge, which will have views of Elliott Bay and Pike's Market, is suitable for receptions and sit-down dinners for 400 people, Willanger said.

Also part of the project is a 20-story, 450-room upscale hotel designed to bring executive-level business travelers and convention attendees to the hotel, and transient shoppers to the revitalized downtown retail district, said David Thyer, project manager for R.C. Hedreen Co. of Seattle, which is building the hotel. Construction is to begin in July, with a target opening date of New Year's Eve 2000.

A corporate club facility and a business center is planned, said Thyer, but rooms will contain no special business component. The standard room size will measure 370 to 400 square feet, and all rooms will have four-fixture bathrooms.

The hotel also will contain 41,000 square feet of meeting space, including two ballrooms, two boardrooms, two hospitality suites and an auditorium with seating for 200 people. Also planned is a fitness center, retail space and a 950-space parking garage.

Thyer said Hedreen hopes to create a "four star-plus deluxe" hotel, with prices "close to Four Season rates," a reference to the landmark Four Season's Olympic.

Hedreen, which in Seattle operates a Hilton franchise and manages the Renaissance Madison, is discussing the appropriate flagging of the property with a number of groups, including Hyatt and Intercontinental, according to Thyer.