Our History
How Seattle’s waterfront became a premier regional destination.
Thoughtful Designs That Pay Homage to History
From the outside, Bell Harbor International Conference Center appears eclectic and colorful. But each design aspect was carefully selected to pay homage to the working waterfront we call home.
The corrugated cladding reflects the design of a shipping container. The steel columns and exposed rivets are a visual tribute to the steel and dock workers who called Seattle home in past centuries. The blues and greens of our interior spaces evoke the waterways and forests of the Puget Sound area. And finally, all of our conference rooms are named after bodies of water or cruise ship terms.
In the mid-1990s, the Port of Seattle conceived Bell Harbor International Conference Center at Pier 66 as a global meeting venue and premier cruise homeport. The 14-acre project was envisioned to create a modern working waterfront with a conference facility, an international cruise ship terminal, restaurants, a public plaza, and short-term boat moorage.
Upon completion, Bell Harbor brought new energy to Seattle’s waterfront and spurred further improvements along the shoreline. The conference center opened in 1996, and World Trade Center Seattle across Alaskan Way followed in 1998. These projects revitalized the area and attracted attention from citizens and tourists alike, catalyzing additional redevelopment along the waterfront.
Bell Harbor International Conference Center was designed to enhance attendees’ experience and provide a striking waterfront backdrop for gatherings of any scale. The conference center quickly became a landmark destination for conventions and meetings in the Seattle area. Abundant natural light and expansive windows provide spectacular views of Elliott Bay, Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains, and the Seattle skyline. One of the conference center’s signature spaces is Bay Auditorium, modeled after the United Nations assembly chamber, with tiered seating, built-in hardwood tables, and a large stage equipped with advanced rear-projection technology. The main lobbies encourage attendee interaction, and exhibit halls and reception areas open onto a 4,000-square-foot exterior deck overlooking Elliott Bay.
Today, Pier 66 remains a hub for business, trade, tourism, and recreation on Seattle’s waterfront. Bell Harbor continues to host conferences and meetings, while our cruise ship terminal regularly welcomes vessels and passengers. Together, these venues underscore Seattle’s reputation as a world-class waterfront destination, and Pier 66 remains a focal point for economic and recreational activity in Downtown Seattle.
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LOCATION & PARKING
Stunning Waterfront Vistas Await
Bell Harbor International Conference Center is located just blocks from downtown Seattle, and sits on Pier 66 along Seattle’s beautiful waterfront. Sea-Tac International Airport is approximately 15 miles from Bell Harbor, with travel time between 30-60 minutes based on traffic.
2211 Alaskan Way, Pier 66 Seattle, WA 98121
2323 Elliott Ave, Seattle, WA 98121 | Parking Garage