The city of Everett, Washington, is witnessing the birth of a massive transformation along its waterfront, thanks to the visionary $1 billion mixed-use development known as Waterfront Place. This ambitious project, a joint venture between the Port of Everett and Seattle-based The Schuster Group, aims to turn the city’s waterfront into a year-round destination, offering a unique blend of retail, dining, entertainment, and residential spaces.
The initial phases of the development are already taking shape, with several retail outlets opening their doors to the public. Last month, the Port Gardner Landing district welcomed Sound2Summit Brewing and Woods Coffee as its first proud tenants, providing a promising start to this momentous endeavor. Holly Gardner, president and co-owner of The Schuster Group, expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating that “the carefully selected local retailers provide an exceptional entertainment and dining experience that distinguishes the Everett waterfront from others in Washington.”
The momentum continues with the grand opening of the Muse Coffee and Whiskey Bar, housed in the former Weyerhaeuser building. And there’s more to come—next in line is Fisherman Jack’s, a seafood dim sum and noodle restaurant, which is set to open before the fall.
The scale of the Waterfront Place project is significant for the North Sound city. Encompassing a vast 65-acre area, it is divided into five distinct districts, boasting two hotels, 660 housing units, 83,000 square feet of retail space, and a staggering 447,500 square feet of office space—approximately three times the size of Seattle’s renowned Waterfront Park project. Remarkably, early estimates of the project’s cost came in at $550 million, demonstrating the scale of the development’s expansion as it unfolds.
The significance of this ambitious project goes beyond its impressive dimensions. Once fully completed, Waterfront Place is expected to provide substantial economic benefits to the city and its residents. The development is projected to create 2,100 jobs and generate $8.6 million in annual tax revenue, according to a news release. These figures are indicative of the positive impact this transformation will have on the local economy and community.
Collaboration has been a key element in the successful execution of this project. For the Port Gardner Landing district, local firm Kirtley Cole Associates acted as the contractor, while Cushing Terrell served as the architect. PND Engineers handled the civil and structural engineering aspects, and HBB Landscape Architecture brought their expertise as the landscape architect. Such a coordinated effort from a diverse range of professionals has contributed to the creation of a functional and visually appealing environment for visitors and residents alike.
As the development continues to unfold, the adjacent Fisherman’s Harbor district eagerly awaits its turn. Scheduled for next year, a two-story retail building will house the Rustick Cork Wine Bar, Anisoptera Spa, and Menchies at the Marina. An additional 5,000-square-foot building is set to accommodate Lazy Boy Brewing and a fish market. With ongoing discussions about interested fish market tenants, the prospects of Fisherman’s Harbor are looking promising.
Looking further ahead, The Schuster Group has exciting plans to further enhance the experience at Waterfront Place. In 2024, they intend to develop a 12-suite wine walk between Marina Village and Port Gardner Landing. The wine walk will be a true treat for wine enthusiasts, featuring tasting rooms from Covington Cellars, Two Vinters, and Hamilton Cellars.
The Waterfront Place project is a testament to the power of vision, collaboration, and investment in transforming urban areas into vibrant and thriving destinations. It showcases how public-private partnerships can leverage the potential of a city’s natural assets and redefine its identity.
