Denver-based real estate developer Urban Villages and Chicago-based hotel operator Aparium Hotel Group collaborated to open Populus Seattle, a carbon-positive hotel in the city’s Pioneer Square neighborhood. Opened at the end of May, it’s the second carbon-positive hotel in the country after Populus Denver, which opened last fall. Similar to its Colorado sister property, Populus Seattle is rooted in a biophilic design, sustainable operation efforts, and culinary experiences focused on regionally sourced ingredients.
“The opening of Populus Seattle marks an incredibly significant milestone for the future of environmentally forward hospitality—both in Seattle and across the country— and provides a lively new gathering place that connects guests and locals to the Pacific Northwest in the heart of the city,” says Jon Buerge, president of Urban Villages, in a prepared statement. “Populus Seattle underscores the Populus hotels’ unwavering commitment to honor and gives back to our environment; this time, as a historic adaptive reuse property with an immersive, ‘urban-meets-rainforest’ feel that uniquely reflects its Seattle location.”
The hotel is housed in a 1907 building that maintains much of its original structural materials, including Douglas fir beams and exposed brick, now complemented by modern, biophilic elements including a variety of lush plants inspired by Washington’s native flora. As done at Populus Denver, the Seattle property operates a “One Night, One Tree” program, for which a tree is planted for every overnight stay. Additional eco-conscious efforts infused within the hotel’s operations include partnering with area farms, using 100% renewable electricity, and composting all food waste, among others. These initiatives help the hotel achieve carbon positivity, meaning it preserves more carbon than it emits—reducing its total carbon footprint by 36%, the equivalent of nearly 2.2 million miles driven or 492 tons of coal burned.
Amenities on-site include 120 guest rooms, three food and beverage outlets, and two meeting spaces. The hotel’s rooftop lounge, Firn, is Pioneer Square’s first and only rooftop bar. Salt Harvest is Populus Seattle’s signature restaurant, serving up a menu of bold, classically Pacific Northwest plates. Diners can see the cooking prowess up-close at The Solarium, a nine-seat counter that looks directly into the live-fire kitchen. Groups also can opt to dine in one of the restaurant’s two private dining rooms. For a quick bite, The Cafe at Salt Harvest offers a selection of coffee and pastries. The two designated meeting spaces available are The Library and The Art Room, each able to host gatherings of up to 70 attendees.
