Doppler is part of the three-tower campus that Amazon is developing in the area and is able to accommodate 3,800 employees.[8] The tower takes its name from the internal codename of theAmazon Echo voice-controlled speaker, which launched in 2014.[9]
The Amazon campus, designed by Seattlearchitecture firmNBBJ,[10] was approved by the Seattle Department of Planning and Development in late 2012 and excavation on Tower I began under the direction ofSellen Construction in June 2013.[11][12][13] The tower wastopped out in February 2015 and opened on December 14, 2015.[1][2]
The 37-story building also has a five-storymeeting room center, featuring an amphitheater and stage withstadium-style seating for 2,000, and six stories ofunderground parking with 1,064 spaces;[5][13] there is also retail space at the ground level leased out to shops and restaurants, including aStarbucks,Skillet Street Food, Marination, Mamnoon Street, Mamnooncita,Potbelly Sandwich Shop, Cinque Terre Ristorante,[14] and two restaurants from local chef Josh Henderson.[15][16][17] The project, covering the entire three-block campus, is also on track to receiveLEED Gold certification.[10][18] The facade usesdichroic glass to reflect light in varying colors dependent on the time of the day.[19]
The site was once proposed for a 31-storymixed-use high-rise, known as the Seventh at Westlake Tower. However, the plans were canceled in 2012 after being on hold for four years.[20][21]
