Seattle Design 100+
Seattle 100: Canlis
This classic Seattle restaurant delivers tasteful design

Peter Canlis arrived in Seattle from Hawaii in 1949, determined to create a restaurant to his tastes. He wanted team-style service, an open kitchen, even a fireplace in the foyer—all ideas decades ahead of their time. He hired a young architect, Roland Terry, to design what remains a stunning tribute to Northwest design and, several incarnations later, the influence of Canlis on the Seattle scene still cannot be understated.

Chris and Alice Canlis, with son Mark, continue to refine the restaurant’s Pacific Rim style, with the most recent rendition including the talents of interior designer Doug Rasar, landscape architect David Pfeiffer and metal artist Stefan Gulassa. What hasn’t changed is that this serene restaurant, overlooking Lake Union, remains a testament to one man’s determination to realize his vision.

Canlis Design at a Glance:
Original design (1950): Architects Roland Terry and Pete Wimberly
First facelift (1984): Interior designer Jean Jongeward
Major remodel/expansion (1996): Architect Jim Cutler
Current design (2005): Interior designer Doug Rasar; landscape architect David Pfeiffer; metal artist Stefan Gulassa

Canlis  (206) 283-3313; canlis.com