Bouldering gym opens inside historic U District bank building

Bouldering Project has opened its third location in Seattle and arguably its most unique bouldering gym to date. The new gym and fitness center is in the University District in a landmarked former bank building at 4502 University Way N.E. That Neo-Classical property has sat at the corner of Northeast 45th Street and The Ave since 1912. The building owner, Hunters Capital, purchased the property from Wells Fargo in the fall of 2020. The bank had shuttered its branch there in 2018, ending 106 years of continuous bank operations by numerous entities.

Following the acquisition, the developer refreshed the building’s white terra cotta facade, sensitively refurbished its historic interiors, added an elevator, and modernized the fire and life safety systems. Hunters Capital successfully nominated the building for city of Seattle landmarking in 2022. Bouldering Project’s lease for the space was announced in the summer of 2022. The new gym occupies approximately 22,000 square feet across the building’s three levels (one of which is a basement). The gym boasts 7,000 square feet of climbing terrain across the two upper levels with walls that rise 14 to 17 feet. There is also open functional fitness space, watch areas, lounge space, a gear shop and a mezzanine area. On the basement level, patrons will find two cold plunges and an infrared sauna. These unique amenity spaces are housed in former bank vaults restored and repurposed for modern uses.

The sauna, which has capacity for 26, is in the former main bank vault that was originally used to secure cash, coins and other valuables. The cold plunges are in a vault previously filled with safety deposit boxes. In the 1950s, the top floor of the building housed a ballroom where sororities and fraternities at the nearby University of Washington would host dances. Original marble pillars, a defining hallmark of the building’s Neo-Classical architecture, are retained on the first floor. Mithun designed the unique tenant improvement project. Bouldering Project handled construction in house.

“The design and construction team worked through technical challenges to revitalize this historic building, carefully preserving key features like the original safety deposit vault and integrating new functions within the existing structure,” Mithun associate Kerry Garikes told the DJC. “The project transforms a vacant structure, bringing it back to its original integrity and creating a vibrant recreational hub.”

The project team also included Swenson Say Faget, structural engineer; and Dunham, mechanical and electrical engineer.

Program offerings at the new gym include fitness and climbing instruction, yoga, sauna and cold plunge. Other Seattle Bouldering Project gyms are at 900 Poplar Place S., bordering the Central District, and 3535 Interlake Ave. N. in Fremont. Mithun also designed the Fremont gym.

Bouldering Project is a national company and also has locations in Texas; New York; Minnesota; Utah; Washington, D.C.; Massachusetts and Arizona.

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