SPOKANE, Wash. — The ten-story Spokane Parkade, a downtown landmark that has defined the city’s skyline since 1967, is undergoing a significant renovation.
The Parkade, originally designed to accommodate nearly 1,000 vehicles, has become more than just a parking facility. Its distinctive tower has become so iconic that it appears on retail products throughout Spokane.
“Aside from its history, it’s such a strong, identifiable specifically Spokane landmark. There are so many graphics and t-shirts and stickers and so many things that clearly have that tower of the Parkade on their shirts or on those graphics,” said Cody Rathbun, project architect for Uptic Studios, which is leading the construction on the project.
The Parkade’s central location has always been a strategic asset. The building features skywalks that provide access to neighboring buildings on most sides, making it a natural hub for downtown activity.
Last year, the structure earned recognition on the National Register of Historical Places, cementing its status as a key piece of the city’s architectural heritage.
The renovation effort represents a return to the original vision of the Parkade’s architect, Warren Heylman, who envisioned the structure as a plaza filled with people and color.
Uptic Studios and Visit Spokane are working together to transform that vision into reality.
Construction is currently underway on the plaza level, which includes renovations for a new headquarters for Visit Spokane. The project will also bring the building’s distinctive arches back to life and creating a more pedestrian-friendly main level. These improvements are designed to draw more visitors to downtown Spokane and encourage community engagement.
Business owners in the area are optimistic about the changes.
Garrett Bekemeyer, manager of Entropy, near the Parkade, is ready for more activity downtown.
“I think Spokane has a very good vision of growth that we like. We have a beautiful downtown, like, let’s gear it up,” Bekemeyer says.
Visit Spokane has already begun hosting events in the shared plaza space to showcase what the renovated area can offer the community.
“They’ve started doing events in our shared plaza out here that’s showing, like, hey, we have this great space, let’s utilize it,” Bekemeyer said.
The project reflects a broader commitment to preserving Spokane’s history while investing in its future. Rathbun emphasized the importance of this balance.
“It’s wonderful that Visit Spokane wants to invest in that identity as well,” he said.
While construction is underway, the exact completion timeline remains unclear.
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