Inside the Urban Marketplace at Seattle's Via6

The developers of Via6, Seattle's largest private residential development, unknowingly selected the perfect location for the 576,436-square-foot, mixed-use complex—across the street from what would later become Amazon's bustling headquarters.

At the time, however, the two-tower high-rise went up in a neighborhood that was in serious need of new life. When it was completed in 2013, Via6 transformed a block that previously didn't have much to offer.

Now, the building boasts a community marketplace complete with a 10,000-square-foot Assembly Hall that includes coffee shops, bars and restaurants, and retail; an interior "market street" with amenities for residents of its 654 apartment units; and a vibrant pathway for visitors of the Belltown neighborhood.

"Now it's Ground Zero for Amazon headquarters," says James Graham, Principal of local architecture firm Graham Baba Architects, which was brought on by the Seattle-based owner, Pine Street Group, to design the first-floor interior spaces.

Interior Design Principal Kimberly Frank of GGLO, the Seattle firm that designed the project's overall architectural and interior design, says Via6 has served as a model for other projects. "Many developers want to replicate the Via6 vibe and that sense of stickiness where people want to hang out and linger," she says. "It is looked to as a successful precedent of blurred lines between public and private space."

Frank says the lack of barriers, especially in the restaurant, helps make the space special. "You can belly up to the restaurant kitchen bar for a unique dining experience that connects you to the food-making process. It's not tucked away behind doors. You smell the food, you see the food, you see the flames sparking up while they're cooking."

Welcome home. Via6 has multiple entry points, including its residential lobby, which evokes a sense of comfort thanks to a beckoning fireplace. The space serves as a dividing element to the rest of the market street.

Living clock. The lobby's media display has an interactive clock (left) with 12 illuminated bars representing hours and 60 bars for minutes. It's filled with trending keywords from Twitter and local news sources. Residents and visitors can tap on the clock to see articles associated with the keywords.

Getting the job done. Amazon employees and other nearby professionals often grab a coffee at Via6's cafe and then stay for breakout sessions or meetings with colleagues. The lobby offers plenty of space for work or social time.

On the move. A juice and coffee bar, as well as other food options like the sushi bar pictured here, are part of the 10,000-square-foot Assembly Hall owned and operated by award-winning celebrity chef Tom Douglas. The space is designed with a focus on fluidity, so visitors and residents can go from one zone to another but still feel connected to the entire space.

Open kitchen. The lack of physical and visual barriers at the Tom Douglas restaurant TanakaSan connects workers with guests, who will feel like they're actively participating in making dumplings and other delicacies while dining. Douglas uses a gourmet kitchen upstairs in the community's private indoor/outdoor rooftop pavilion to film a weekly show.

Streetscape state. Openings to the street keep Via6 connected to the neighborhood and invite those who are outside to experience the community, whether it's by dining on the sidewalk or grabbing a drink at the bar.

When hunger calls. At the Tom Douglas retail store Home Remedy Urban Market, cooks can customize take-out options ranging from savory rice bowls to hand-crafted sandwiches or pizzas. Specialty, local, and imported foods and beverages are also for sale to help enhance meals enjoyed at home.

Hangout spot. Located in the heart of the market street, Via6's mezzanine offers a convenient way for residents to enjoy a grab-and-go dinner or socialize with friends. The mezzanine area, featuring not just seating but also shuffleboard games and pool tables, is a favorite spot to hang out. Other amenities within the complex include a bike shop, bike storage, a barbershop, a fitness center, a movie screening room, and dog relief and wash stations.