Forty six years ago, the North Satellite at the Seattle Airport entered service. Now after a $700 million renovation and expansion the new space is set to open at the end of June. Work is nearing completion on the modernized facility with new gates, nearly double the space, and is notable for its natural light, triple the restaurants and shops. Pacific Northwest inspired art and sustainability features include the use of collected rainfall, saving some 2.8 million gallons of water annually.

The Phase 2 renovation of the existing facility features 12 remodeled gates, a Central Marketplace with a flagship restaurant, nature-inspired art installations, and the airport’s first fully-integrated pet relief area. The renovated interior includes new building forms and functional interests that are cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and improve accessibility through thoughtful design considerations. Two gates are open now.

Renovation highlights include

• More dining and retail spaces like Filson, Pike & Pine and sodoPop!

• More than doubling the space in the entire facility to 468,000 square feet

• Dramatic open space with natural light in the nearly 80-foot-tall Marketplace at N

• Nature-inspired art celebrating Pacific Northwest ecology

Amenities that express Pacific Northwest culture 

• Dramatic open space with natural light in a nearly 80-foot-tall Central Marketplace

• Iconic building design evoking movement of a meandering river

• Nature-inspired art celebrating Pacific Northwest ecology

• 31-foot by 15-foot stage for live performances 

Upgrades that improve sustainability and building function 

• Rainwater collected to supply flushing water to the restrooms 

• Accessibility improvements to walkways, elevators, and stairway 

• Refurbished transit system lobby

• Seismic upgrades

• More robust Wi-Fi service

• Baggage handling improvements 

Enhancements that elevate the passenger experience 

• 17 new dining and retail spaces, including a flagship restaurant, to nearly triple the previous amount 

• 213,000 square feet will be added and renovated, more than doubling the space in the entire facility 

• SEA’s first integrated pet relief area

• Nearly 3,500 seat charger outlets 

Project Costs

Funding for the project came from a combination of airline fees and Airport Development Fund and Passenger Facility Charge revenues. 

As with virtually all airport projects, no Port of Seattle taxes will be used. 

The final estimated cost for the Port’s portion of the North Satellite Modernization is $658.3 million. 

Alaska Airlines contributed an estimated $41 million to build the new lounge and employee spaces. 

Environmental Highlights

The Port of Seattle is committed to minimizing our current environmental footprint, even with the challenges of accommodating more airport passengers. Innovative efforts in this project will help us pursue certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design with the U. S. Green Building Council. The facility will seek the use of sustainable materials that are locally sourced, contain recycled content, and wood that is Forest Stewardship Council certified.  

Capturing rainwater off the roof to supply restrooms will save almost 750,000 gallons of water annually – equal to a football field filled with water 7 feet deep. 

More than 95 percent of construction waste will be recycled and diverted from landfills.  

The facility will use energy efficient LED lighting and heating and cooling methods, saving approximately 1.7 million kWh annually – equal to the annual energy use of 170 homes.

Art Highlights 

The modernized and expanded North Satellite will feature art by nationally acclaimed artists, listed below. Their works will reflect how our diverse environment, culture, spirit, history and industry influence the qualities and character of the Northwest and our people. We refer to this perception as “The Northwest Sense of Place.”

Cable Griffith (Seattle): A digital-style artwork that conveys the Northwest natural environment.

John Grade (Seattle): A sculptural tree form based on a cast of a reclaimed old-growth cedar from Alaska

Muse Atelier (Vancouver, B.C.):  An art glass installation featuring the Northwest environment

Deborah Butterfield (Montana): A bronze horse sculpture cast from stray, downed pieces of wood