Queen of the Hill
A 1918 landmark reworked with design cues drawn from early industry.
By Seattle Mag March 26, 2026
This article originally appeared in the January/February 2026 issue of Seattle magazine.
Seattle’s historic MarQueen Hotel has unveiled an extensive renovation that blends contemporary comforts with vintage glamour. Originally built in 1918 as the Seattle Engineering School, the brick building at the bottom of Queen Anne Avenue provided housing for students developing the Ford Model T.
The refreshed design, by Cusack + Co. Interiors, features historic wood floors and original architectural details, complemented by vintage colors from the 1966 Ford Motor Company automobile palette.
“The history of the building provided a lot to work with,” says Marisa Weber of Cusack + Co. “The guiding concept was engineering and utilitarian design meet[ing] moments of 1920s refinement. We wanted a traditional aesthetic—not too modern, and not too upscale—since the space was originally industrial. That lent itself to a wide-ranging palette: florals, houndstooth, tailored stripes, timeless tile patterns, and moody hues all felt at home there.”
With 59 rooms, the Tin Lizzie Lounge, and a French-style day spa, the hotel provides all the essentials, just steps away from some of the city’s biggest attractions.
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