Nearly 400 flights canceled into and out of Atlanta airport due to severe weather
Nearly 400 flights were canceled into and out of Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Saturday after severe weather and hail fell overnight.
Weather so far has forced 380 Delta flight cancellations at the airport, with additional delays and cancellations expected.
Around 100 Delta Airlines aircrafts were inspected overnight for possible damage from the hail that fell last night, with nearly all having returned to service Saturday, according to a spokesperson for Delta.
"Delta people are working as safely and quickly as possible to recover flights impacted by thunderstorms, lightning, hail and winds at our Atlanta hub Friday night. We thank our customers for their continued patience and understanding," the airline spokesperson said.
"Intense thunderstorms, including one that brought reports of microburst winds and quarter-inch hail to our hub at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, drove more than 90 diversions to other airports in the U.S. Southeast and a pause in airport operations for safety reasons the evening of June 27," the spokesperson added.
Severe weather conditions in the area led to ground stops and flights being diverted at the airport on Friday.
The air traffic control tower that manages aircraft around the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta was briefly evacuated Friday evening due to "strong winds," according to the FAA. The tower was not unstaffed during this time as few controllers stayed back to handle the air traffic in the area, the agency said.
In ATC recordings, controllers can be heard telling pilots that they evacuated due to weather and there are three personnel in the tower -- controller, supervisor and traffic management.
Delta said it is performing inspections on its aircraft for any potential hail damage.
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Yahoo
37 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Last weekend's heat wave shows gaps in Chicago's network of cooling centers
Record high nighttime temperatures, a dangerously high heat index and intense humidity swept through Chicago from June 21 to 23, marking the city's first major heat wave of the summer. Ahead of the heat wave, Mayor Brandon Johnson told residents at a June 20 news conference that the city was 'prepared to demonstrate the full force of government' by offering city-run cooling centers. The city's website promotes 288 cooling center locations across the city, which are intended to 'offer residents air-conditioned refuge' during extreme heat advisories. Of those, 110 are outdoor 'splash pads' — water features operated by the Chicago Park District that don't offer any indoor cooling space. In addition, only two-thirds of the indoor cooling centers were open at least part of the day every day during the three-day heat wave. 'This is a lot of show, not a lot of meat,' said Monica Dillon, who works with the Northwest Side Outreach Volunteers, a group that provides support to homeless people. 'It all looks good on paper, but in reality, on the ground, it's just not working.' Of the 178 indoor cooling centers listed on the city's website: 58 are usually closed on one or both days every weekend. The city's 22 police stations are the only ones open 24/7, but advocates say homeless people, immigrants and people of color may not feel comfortable seeking relief at these locations. 106 close by 5 p.m. at least three days a week. During federal holidays, most locations — including all public library branches, city college campuses and Chicago Park District facilities — close to the public even if there is a heat emergency, such as Juneteenth last year during a string of 90-degree days. To find a cooling center near you, scroll the map and zoom using the widget in the top right corner. Click on a marker for more information on that location or filter cooling centers by category using the map legend. From Saturday, June 21, to Monday, June 23, the heat index — a combination of atmospheric temperatures and relative humidity that determines how the heat really feels to the body — peaked at over 100 degrees each day. According to the city, besides the splash pads, 152 cooling locations were open last weekend. But a Tribune analysis found all 79 public libraries were only open for four hours on Sunday. Five community colleges and 27 Park District field houses were closed at least one day during the heat wave. Five of the six community centers and all 21 senior centers were closed for the whole weekend. On Monday, all of the city cooling centers were open for regular business hours. When asked by the Tribune how many cooling centers do not have air conditioning, city officials from the mayor's office, the Office for Emergency Management and Communications, the Department of Family and Support Services and the Department of Public Health said in a joint statement: 'All facilities on the map have air conditioning.' But they did not specify which sites only had one air-conditioned room. The Tribune visited 10 cooling centers over the weekend and found that Warren Park field house in West Ridge did not have air conditioning. Also, Chase Park field house in Uptown had only one room air-conditioned, and the King Center in the Grand Boulevard neighborhood had a ventilation system but not central air. The remaining seven were air-conditioned. The availability of cooling resources raises questions about whether the city's network can fill the gaps in Chicagoans' needs as climate change makes heat waves hotter, more humid and longer, experts say. According to an analysis of Cook County data by Elevate, a nonprofit that studies energy efficiency, only about 30% of single-family homes in Chicago have central air conditioning, compared with 76% of homes nationwide. Despite repeated calls from community activists for the city to expand cooling center hours and increase outreach to homeless and other vulnerable residents, resources have remained limited. Without reliable access to a cool space to rest, heat waves can be deadly. At last weekend's news conference, Public Health Commissioner Olusimbo Ige said the city has recorded 485 heat-related deaths in the past three years, mostly affecting seniors and people with pre-existing medical conditions. What made last weekend's heat wave especially dangerous was the record-high overnight temperatures. During the summer, temperatures in Chicago typically fall to 75 degrees or lower at night, according to Brett Borchardt, a senior meteorologist with the National Weather Service who spoke at the news conference. When nighttime heat indexes don't fall below this mark, the health department typically begins to see an increase in heat-related illnesses, he said. Heat wave's high humidity raises health risks in Chicago and across the country Heat waves are hotter and cooling costs are rising in cities such as Chicago, studies show Cooling centers to open as heat wave sweeps across Midwest For context, people generally don't need cooling to be comfortable indoors when outside temperatures are under 65 degrees, according to weather experts. From June 21 to 23, the nighttime heat index didn't fall below 80 degrees, save for one hour right after sunrise on June 23 when the index was 79, according to the weather service. The lows on June 21 and 22 broke records at 78 and 80, respectively, with Monday hitting a low of 79. 'Long-lasting exposure to heat can be really harmful for your health, and can result in things like heat stroke, disturbed sleep quality and respiratory problems,' said Paige Neri, a senior research strategist at Elevate. 'If the body's not able to cool down at night and kind of get a reprieve from the heat, then there could be compounding impacts from that as well.' Human-made climate change is making summers in the Midwest more humid overall, even as seasonal high temperatures have rarely broken records in recent years. According to experts, sweltering summer nights, in particular, have become more common. In Chicago, while overall summer average temperatures have warmed by 1.7 degrees between 1970 and 2024, average overnight lows have increased by 2.5 degrees in that same period. Elevate collaborated with IIT in 2023 on their study of the impact of extreme heat in Chicago homes. The average Chicago home was designed to retain heat, Neri said, and the study found that non-air conditioned homes often reached dangerously high indoor temperatures during heat waves, even at night. During this heat wave, only 22 cooling centers were open overnight, all of which were police stations, according to OEMC's cooling center map. While the police stations often offer seating and air conditioning, many advocates said that homeless people, people of color, immigrants and other groups who have historically been targeted by the police may not feel comfortable seeking shelter at a station. 'If you're living on the street and have a complicated relationship with the police, is it really a place where you might feel comfortable and welcome?' Dillon said. In their statement to the Tribune, city officials said they evaluate weekend and holiday options based on the 'operational feasibility' of facilities with special consideration for spaces that have existing weekend and overnight operations. Additionally, through its five-year plan to address homelessness, the statement said, the city will consider initiatives that require larger investments across departments and sister agencies, such as 24/7 sites for weather safety. The People's Response Network has been calling on the city to expand hours and outreach for its official cooling centers when an extreme heat advisory is issued. In a September letter sent to Johnson and the Chicago City Council, the group asked the city to implement an expanded cooling center policy, opening all cooling centers and libraries 24/7 once the heat index rises above 80 degrees. They said the city did not respond to their letter. 'Most people die at night, not during the daytime,' said Lonette Sims, chair of the network, a local group advocating for better public health infrastructure in Chicago. 'The body accumulates all the heat exposure, and for the most vulnerable populations who are elderly, children and people with health conditions, they need immediate access to cooling centers.' Meanwhile, in suburban Cook County, three courthouses — in Skokie, Maywood and Markham — were activated as 24/7 cooling centers from June 21 to June 24 in response to the heat advisory. According to Natalia Derevyanny, director of communications for Cook County, the courthouses provided water and snacks donated by the Salvation Army, offered cots and seating for people to rest, and even worked with the Department of Animal Control to provide carriers for people coming in with pets. 'We understand that different people might have health conditions that make being without air conditioning dangerous,' Derevyanny said. 'So we just want to ensure that these are amenities that are available to everyone as they need.' Dillon, a retired nurse, spent most of the weekend trying to help unsheltered residents of the Northwest Side find places to cool off. She used the city's list of cooling centers to locate any in her area, and then drove around and visited each one to make sure it was suitable for her to recommend for the residents with whom she is working. 'The (Skokie courthouse) was really good, really appropriate,' said Dillon. 'If I could get everyone on a bus and just send them there, I totally would.' The Cook County sheriff's office handled staffing for the three courthouses designated as cooling centers. According to Matthew Walberg, communications director for the sheriff's office, operating the cooling centers 24 hours a day from noon on June 21 to 5 p.m. on June 25 required approximately 300 hours of overtime at a cost of about $17,800. Chicago's cooling center network is anchored by six community service centers. Run by the Department of Family and Support Services, they routinely offer a range of social services, from job training programs to domestic violence assistance. When temperatures reach 90 degrees or more, cooling areas are activated in these centers Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to the city. Only one of these centers, located at 10 S. Kedzie Ave. in Garfield Park, was open the weekend of June 21-22 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., expanding its cooling hours into the evening, according to an email sent out by the city. The center has, during past heat waves, remained open overnight for those needing shelter. The other five community service centers were closed over the weekend, and some struggled to deal with high outdoor temperatures when they reopened Monday. The King Center, at 4314 S. Cottage Grove Ave., doesn't have central air conditioning and instead uses fans and a ventilation system. According to security guard Chanel Olivas, the second floor of the building, which houses its mental health services, computer room and job center, frequently closes down during heat waves. On Monday afternoon, when the heat index was again over 100 degrees, these second-floor offices had to close because of problems with the ventilation system. One man, who came to the center hoping to print his resume at the job center, was turned away due to the office closure. Though a handful of people were waiting for the bus or sitting on benches just outside the King Center's doors, nobody came inside to rest in the building's designated cooling center space — a row of folding chairs in the lobby, positioned beneath a paper sign reading 'waiting area.' In its statement, the city said the online map lists various types of cooling sites and features so residents can choose what is 'best suited for their needs.' 'The splash pads are included because they may be sufficient relief or temporary respite for certain populations, like families with children,' according to the statement. In the absence of enough citywide cooling resources, local community leaders say they have partnered with ward representatives to step in to offer the community other options. Public health data shows the 60620, 60623, 60628 and 60651 ZIP codes have historically seen more heat-related emergencies than other locations, Ige said during last week's news conference. 'I'm careful about using the word 'historical,'' said Ald. David Moore, 17th, whose ward is in the 60620 ZIP code. 'It seems like since I've been alderman, we haven't had any major issues — and I've been alderman for 10 years.' The ZIP code has six indoor cooling locations, including the Englewood community service center, which operates only on weekdays; the Brainerd and Thurgood Marshall public library branches, which have limited Sunday hours; the Auburn Gresham satellite senior center, which closes over the weekends; one field house at Foster Park; and the 6th District police station. Moore said residents are welcome at church partners in the community if needed. 'We want to get them somewhere cool, even if I got to get them cool at my office,' he said. Even in neighborhoods with more robust cooling center networks, very few residents are actually using these centers. Only 3% of Chicagoans used a cooling center last year, according to Ige. None of the cooling centers the Tribune visited had signage indicating that they were an official cooling center, and the Office of Emergency Management's map of cooling centers is only accessible online. The number of people in cooling centers visited by the Tribune ranged from zero to 10, and most visitors were there to use other services offered inside the cooling centers, such as a library or DFSS office. 'Most vulnerable populations, they may or may not have access to the internet,' Sims said. 'Language barriers can be an issue too. We want (the city) to be making sure that (information is) in Spanish and in Mandarin and Polish, and making sure that people who aren't native English speakers are aware of the cooling centers, so that they can get relief as well.' For some residents, the cooling centers lack convenience and security. According to advocates, some Chicagoans say it feels riskier to leave home than to stay put; they worry about the security of their personal items and a lack of privacy in a communal environment. 'It's been probably 20 years since I've gone (to a city cooling center),' said Carol Vaxter, an Englewood resident. Vaxter stopped inside the lobby at Kennedy-King College on Monday afternoon to cool off during a walk with her daughter, Skye, but didn't go to the designated cooling space on the college's campus. Vaxter's apartment doesn't have central air conditioning, so during heat waves, she tries to stay out of the house during the day. She said she doesn't necessarily mind the city's cooling centers. However, it's much easier for her to stop at places such as local gyms or fast-food restaurants — places that are reliably open, well-marked and entertaining for her daughter. 'Wherever I go, they have the air conditioning, so that's the reason,' she said. 'If I didn't have no other place to go, I would go (to the cooling centers). But when I go to other places like McDonald's, they have the air on.'
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Travel + Leisure
an hour ago
- Travel + Leisure
This Underrated Coastal Region in South Carolina Has Pristine Beaches and Tasty Local Seafood—and It's Still Quiet and Affordable
Stay at The George Hotel, an exciting new addition to Georgetown's hospitality scene. Pack your sunscreen, towels, and a picnic lunch for a beach day on Pawleys Island or at Litchfield Beach. Pick up some fresh shrimp at Seven Seas Seafood in Murrells Inlet to cook your own seafood feast. Buy a hammock from The Original Hammock Shop in Pawleys Island as a souvenir from your travels. Visit during the shoulder seasons—fall and spring—if you want to explore the area without summer crowds. While Charleston and Myrtle Beach have the name recognition when it comes to waterfront destinations in South Carolina, they're not the only places you can find gorgeous beaches, fresh seafood, and a generally laid-back atmosphere. In fact, the area between the two coastal cities was deemed the 'Hammock Coast' in 2010, harkening back to its relaxed nature and its history; a 19th-century boat captain, Joshua John Ward, created what's now known as the Pawleys Island Hammock, a comfortable rope hammock that's still made in the area today. The Hammock Coast is made up of six unique communities. Along with Pawleys Island, there's Garden City, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield, Georgetown, and Andrews. Though each has its own appeal, they all have one thing in common: waterfront views. 'Understandably, most people face east toward the salt marsh and Atlantic Ocean when they come here. That's great—it's the beach, after all. But what they don't always realize is that we've got this big, beautiful, historical river system to the west,' says Hastings Hensel, owner of River Reader Kayaking. 'The land here is really just a thin ribbon between two vast bodies of water, and two very different (but equally beautiful) ecosystems.' Whether you're venturing to this part of the Palmetto State for the rivers or the ocean, here's how to plan a trip to South Carolina's Hammock Coast. Colorful details in a guest room at The George Hotel. 'The Pelican Inn on Pawleys Island is a historic gem with access to both tidal marsh and oceanfront views. It's extremely special,' says Judith Puckett-Rinella, proprietor of Wicklow Hall, a boutique bed-and-breakfast in Georgetown. Open seasonally (Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day), the eight-room property is housed in one of the barrier island's original buildings; it dates back to the 1840s. The guest rooms accommodate between two and four people, and rates include a family-style breakfast and lunch for two. Opened in 2024, The George Hotel quickly became one of the top places to stay in Georgetown. 'It has brilliant design, an outstanding restaurant in The Independent, and a perfect location right on the water,' says Puckett-Rinella. Each of the 56 rooms is decked out in stunning colors, patterns, and all the modern amenities you could need, including Malin + Goetz bath products, cozy robes, and a coffee and tea station. 'The Sea View Inn is something right out of a dream. It's classic Pawleys Island—a clapboard salt-worn inn with a beach porch for sunrise and a marsh dock for sunset,' says Hensel. 'You can spend all morning in the sand and waves before they ring a bell for their family-style lunch, and then you retreat to your room for a box fan nap, only to wake up in time for an afternoon stroll before a breezy BYOB happy hour.' The property also comes recommended by Bruce and Corinne Taylor, owners of the neighboring Pelican Inn. The harbor in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. digidreamgrafix/Getty Images Technically, only the southern portion of Garden City is part of the Hammock Coast. Here, you'll find vacation rentals, beach access, Marlin Quay (a full-service marina), and the Gulf Stream Cafe. The latter is an institution in the area, serving up shrimp, oysters, and a daily local catch. 'Murrells Inlet has always been known as a little, close-knit fishing town. As many surrounding areas continue to grow and develop, the inlet has evolved while maintaining its unique, small-town, Southern charm,' says Katelin Lindrose, marketing director at Crazy Sister Marina. 'The Murrells Inlet salt marsh is one of the few true salt marshes on the eastern seaboard,' adds Hensel. 'That is, no freshwater rivers empty into it—the marsh is entirely fed by the ocean—so the salinity is high. This makes our oysters some of the tastiest and our barstool views some of the prettiest.' Murrells Inlet also claims the title of the 'Seafood Capital of South Carolina,' so you'll definitely want to venture to this part of the coast for at least one or two meals during your trip. South of Murrells Inlet is the community of Litchfield Beach. Named one of 2025's best places to retire, this is a destination that's all about relaxation—lounging on the beach, golfing, taking a leisurely bike ride, or immersing yourself in the natural beauty of Huntington Beach State Park, which sits directly to the north. 'What sets Pawleys Island, where we live and operate The Pelican Inn, apart from other parts of the Hammock Coast, is that it is a quiet residential beach that has tried hard to maintain its long-time title of arrogantly shabby,' the Taylors share. 'Life slows down when you cross the causeway onto the island.' The barrier island is about four miles long and, for the most part, one house wide. The shops and restaurants commonly associated with Pawleys are actually located on the mainland, which is connected to the island by two causeways. 'Georgetown is uniquely situated directly on the waterfront, and that access is open to everyone,' says Puckett-Rinella. The third-oldest city in South Carolina is also home to the Gullah Museum, which highlights local Gullah culture, and hosts the annual Georgetown Wooden Boat Show in October. The town of Andrews, South Carolina, is miles away from the ocean, but it draws in kayakers and anglers due to its proximity to the Black River. A boardwalk through a wetland in Huntington Beach State Park. One of Puckett-Rinella's favorite activities is a 'day trip to the white-sand beaches of Pawleys Island,' adding that you 'can even book a surf lesson with David from South End Adventures.' There are several public beach access points on the island, but you'll find the most parking at the South End. 'One thing visitors shouldn't overlook is the water. Be sure to work it into your plans, whether it be a boat trip, an eco kayak tour, a guided fishing outing, or simply a beach day,' says Puckett-Rinella. 'However you choose to experience it, the water is the soul of this region. You'll be grateful you made it part of your journey.' With his company, River Reader Kayaking, Hensel takes visitors on history, sunset, and nature tours along the Waccamaw River and through the Murrells Inlet marsh. Crazy Sister Marina also offers dolphin-watching tours, fishing charters, and sunset cruises, among other excursions. 'While you're there, you can also stop by any of the delicious restaurants on the MarshWalk for lunch or dinner, enjoy some live music, and take in the breathtaking views,' says Lindrose. 'Huntington Beach State Park is a favorite of mine. It's a nature lover's paradise where you can easily spend a day with the family. The park offers pristine beaches, multiple hiking trails, a chance to see the alligators along 'Alligator Alley,' and the opportunity to visit the historic and beautiful Atalaya Castle,' says Lindrose. The park is dog friendly, and admission is $8 for adults (plus an extra $2 to see the castle). The Taylors also recommend Brookgreen Gardens, describing it as a 'beautiful and educational respite.' The sculpture garden and wildlife preserve is just a few minutes from the state park, so you can easily check out both in the same day. 'After dinner, there's nothing better than a stroll along the historic waterfront,' says Puckett-Rinella, referring to the Harborwalk in Georgetown. There are several entry points to the 10-foot-wide, four-block-long boardwalk that sits between the harbor and Front Street, and it gives way to some pretty amazing views of the Sampit River. Left: Store front of Rice Birds; Right: China being sold at Rice Birds. Front Street in Georgetown is home to several shops that come recommended by locals. Puckett-Rinella favors Indigo Mercantile, noting that the store 'carries locally sourced everything, from art to specialty Carolina food products like grits, rice, honey, hot sauce, and even locally made charcuterie boxes.' 'We also adore Wildflower & Whiskey Clothing Co., also on Front Street. It's fun and fashion-forward, with playful pieces and a welcoming staff,' she adds. The Taylors also suggest Sara & Beth Gifts and Rice Birds on Front Street. And if you need a new beach read? Pop into Waterfront Books. If you're in a shopping mood, head to Hammock Shops Village in Pawleys Island, where you'll discover more than 20 stores. Snag a Pawleys Island rope hammock at The Original Hammock Shop, a new pair of sandals at Pawleys Island Shoes, or a bottle of artisanal olive oil at Pawleys Island Olive Oil. Bird's eye view of several plates from Frank's On Front. 'For dinner, 631 Frank's on Front has a lively, stylish crowd. We especially love that they welcome pets. Many of our guests staying in our cottages and cabins, which are dog friendly, enjoy alfresco dining with their fur babies on Frank's back deck right on the water,' says Puckett-Rinella. While 631 is the official name, locals fondly refer to the restaurant as 'Frank's on Front,' a reference to the owners' restaurants; Frank's and Frank's Outback are located on Pawleys Island. 'For lunch, we love Thomas Café in Georgetown. It has that small-town charm and delivers true local fare: fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, and sweet tea on every table. Their daily po' boy, whether it's shrimp, oysters, or whiting, is always perfect,' says Puckett-Rinella. 'Our favorite restaurants are Chive Blossom, Frank's, and Bistro 217 in Pawleys,' the Taylors share. But if you're after a great burger, they have two can't-miss spots: BisQit and the Pawleys Island Tavern (The PIT). 'Since the area boasts a strong fishing culture, we have earned the title of the 'Seafood Capital of South Carolina,' so you'll be sure to find some of the freshest seafood options up and down the coast. The food is delicious, the views from the outdoor dining areas cannot be beat, and the live music at many of the restaurants really creates that perfect coastal vibe,' says Lindrose. Although there are a handful to choose from, start your restaurant tour with The Claw House or Russell's Seafood Grill. Or, you can follow Hensel's advice: 'Here's the move: Grab a coffee from Brown Fox on your way to Perry's Bait & Tackle, where you buy a dip-net, some chicken necks, a hand-line, and a six-pack. Catch some crabs in the salt marsh at Oyster Landing, then buy a few pounds of shrimp from Seven Seas Seafood to throw in the pot with them. Get your potatoes, corn, onion, and andouille sausage from Lee's Farmers Market. Voila—you've got all you need for our greatest local dish, a Lowcountry Boil, with all your ingredients purchased from small, family-run businesses.' Three birds in Huntington Beach State Park. 'There truly is no bad time to visit the Hammock Coast, but I always encourage visitors to check us out during the spring and fall. During that time of the year, the weather is almost always perfect as it isn't too hot or cold, the fish are biting, and the beaches are beautiful,' says Lindrose. 'It's a great time to rent a boat and explore, charter a fishing trip, or enjoy a relaxing cruise before the summer crowds hit.' While Hastings agrees with the suggestion to visit during the shoulder seasons, he also notes that winter is 'underrated.' 'It doesn't get so cold that we can't enjoy being out on the water, and the whole place is a little more relaxed without the summer crowds,' he says. If you do visit in the summer—and you can handle the South Carolina humidity—you're in for a treat. The Taylors share that along with the heat and humidity comes 'ocean breezes and fresh seafood.' A winding road through South Carolina. Beach International Airport (MYR) is the closest airport to the towns along the Hammock Coast; it's about a 20- or 30-minute drive to Garden City and Murrells Inlet, respectively. MYR is served by most major U.S.-based airlines, including American, Delta, Southwest, and United. Flying into Charleston International Airport (CHS) is also an option; it's about 75 miles from the Hammock Coast. There's also the option to travel to the region by boat, as there are a number of docks and marinas in Georgetown and Murrells Inlet. Some of the Hammock Coast towns are walkable, like the downtown areas of Georgetown and Pawleys Island, but, for the most part, you'll want to drive or rent a car. Once you've arrived at your destination, you can choose to get around on two wheels. Rent a bike from Pawleys Island Beach Service, Myrtle Beach Bicycles (located in Murrells Inlet), or Cyclopedia.
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Travel + Leisure
an hour ago
- Travel + Leisure
This 1907 Warehouse in Seattle Was Just Transformed Into a Luxury Hotel—and T+L Was the First to Stay
Populus Seattle The adaptive reuse design preserves the 1907 warehouse's original Douglas fir beams and brickwork while slashing the building's carbon footprint. Rooms feel like a cocoon, wrapped in original brick, deeply saturated walls, and art that filters into the private spaces from the hotel at large through framed prints and even pour-over coffee packets. The fire-and-ice concept of the food and drink program spans from the signature restaurant Salt Harvest's oak and almond wood hearth to the rooftop cocktail bar Firn, where glacier-inspired cocktails are made with crushed, shaved, and faceted ice. All the artwork is for sale, turning the hotel into a working gallery and a stop on Pioneer Square's First Thursdays, the longest-running art walk in the country. The hotel anchors RailSpur, a placemaking project that's adding fuel to Pioneer Square's evolution by transforming former service alleys into pedestrian corridors lined with public art, shops, and cocktail bars. Opened in late May after two years of construction, Populus Seattle is already making an impression with its regenerative design, expansive art program, and deep ties to the neighborhood. Housed in the 1907 Westland Building, a former steam supply warehouse, the hotel anchors RailSpur, a placemaking initiative that connects three historic structures in Pioneer Square through alleys that draw in the public with the promise of art and cocktails. The front desk and hotel reception. Ric Stovall/Populus Seattle 'We wanted to create a hotel that becomes part of the cultural and physical infrastructure of the area,' says Jon Buerge, president of the Colorado-based Urban Villages, which developed both RailSpur and Populus. It's a fitting ambition for a hotel set amid cobblestone streets and Romanesque facades, just blocks from Seattle's working waterfront and flanked by Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park. But Populus Seattle isn't just another design-forward newcomer among edgy art galleries and expertly curated indie boutiques. (It is the second outpost of the Populus brand, following its flagship Denver location, which opened last October to much fanfare.) 'You're stepping into an experience that was designed to connect people to the city, to the past, to what's next,' says hotel general manager Rod Lapasin. I thought about that a lot as I explored the hotel's thoughtful design, neighborhood ties, layered storytelling built into its bones, and a mission that extends beyond aesthetics. Below is my full review of Populus Seattle. The Rooms Interior of the Douglas Fir Studio King. Ric Stovall/Populus Seattle It was surprisingly sunny in Seattle on the day I arrived, but I must confess I didn't take advantage of the fair weather. Upon entering my corner Douglas Fir Studio, a junior suite with two different street views, a window seat, and a generously sized bathroom decked out in plenty of luxe marble and industrial steel-framed glass, I decide to forgo the mile-long saunter to the Overlook Walk, a new elevated park space at the waterfront. Instead, I steeped in the deep soaking tub to unwind from the bustle of SeaTac Airport before swaddling into a bathrobe with a cup of hojicha tea. Given the adaptive reuse of a 1907 warehouse, all 120 rooms at Populus Seattle, from the standard Lupine room (comfortable, though quite cozy) to the Summit Suite (this space reads more like a luxe pied-à-terre, complete with private cityview terrace), are steeped in the warmth and sentiment of time passed. Thick Douglas fir beams, original to the structure, lend a distinctly woodsy, Pacific Northwest touch to the otherwise contemporary rooms. The accommodations feature brass lighting, velvet seating, and commissioned art framed in salvaged timber that once lined the warehouse floors. These pieces hang against richly hued walls, while exposed-brick facades add industrial character. The occasional siren or celebratory whoop was just a streetwise soundtrack that rooted me in a dynamic neighborhood where the art scene, stadium buzz, and working waterfront converge. If you're the kind of traveler who judges a hotel by its room amenities, then you'll be happy to find plush Matouk robes and towels, bath products by Aesop, Fellow electric kettles, and sustainable, direct-trade java from Monorail Espresso, Seattle's first coffee cart. As an example of the design team's attention to detail, the packaging for the single-serve pour-over depicts "Cats Cradle No. 2," a painting by local artist Becca Fuhrman, whose work is on view throughout the hotel. 'Our connectedness to the community is a many-layered thing,' Lapasin says. 'It all comes together from the past and the present to become the story of Populus Seattle." Food & Drink Around happy hour, a particularly welcoming phenomenon draws folks milling about the hotel's airy lobby deeper into the building: the convivial clamor emanating from Salt Harvest, its signature restaurant, located on the second floor. Buerge explained that this sonic seduction was by design. 'We placed the bar at the top of the lobby staircase for this exact reason." I tried the non-alcoholic Impostore, a bittersweet drink made with Wilderton non-alcoholic aperitivo, and the Bleeding Heart, a floral, bubbly mix of vodka, aloe, strawberry, and cherry blossom that nods to the springtime blooms across Seattle's University of Washington Quad and city parks. I enjoyed both, but ordered a second round of the Impostore. At the rooftop cocktail bar Firn (pronounced feern, the German word for the uppermost layer of a glacier), drinks revolve around ice in various forms: crushed (as in the soju-based Green Acres, flavored with apple and shiso), shaved (Get Schwifty is like a vodka-spiked, melony kakigori), or gem-faceted (the Diamond Sea is a smoky, floral milk punch). Also telling: each afternoon, upon returning from a day of exploring Seattle's latest cultural offerings (like this floating sauna and this fairly new museum, designed like a fjord), the Populus doormen would greet me with, 'Welcome. Heading to Firn?'—a sign of just how quickly the rooftop bar has become a favorite with locals and hotel guests alike. Panoramic views from the Firn rooftop deck. Ric Stovall/Populus Seattle While ice sets the chill upstairs, down in Salt Harvest, flames crackle. 'The restaurant explores fire through Pacific Northwest ingredients from land and sea,' says executive chef Conny Andersson, who hails from Gothenburg, Sweden. (Seattle's robust Scandinavian population is owed to trades like fishing and boat building, kindred between the two cultures.) 'There's a natural overlap in how both regions approach food—minimalist, ingredient-driven, and rooted in seasonality. It's how I cook, and it's how I grew up.' Nearly every dish on the dinner menu is touched by flame. The Neah Bay salmon is just kissed by the oak-and-almond wood fire, yielding buttery tenderness. The free-range pork chop from Washington's Pure Country Farm gets more char but remains unctuous, a rarity for such a lean cut. Wild mushroom spätzle is rich and comforting thanks to Beecher's Flagship cheddar and a ratio of handmade noodles to foraged mushrooms that, to my eye, heavily favors the forest floor. Salmon gravlax, a nod to Andersson's homeland, is cured with Op Anderson aquavit, evoking the classic curing herbs of caraway and dill, then brushed with an umami-rich espresso honey mustard. For dessert, I opted for the Eton Mess, a cloudlike confection of baked meringue, fresh local berries, and Chantilly cream. Activities and Amenities The private dining meeting area. Ric Stovall/Populus Seattle The hotel's features feel more like immersive touchpoints, designed to invite interaction, spark curiosity, and reflect the city's creative spirit. Populus Seattle's commitment to sustainability and art comes together at the entrance, where salvaged tree trunks recall a ghost forest—once-living trees left standing by rising waters and now seen as symbols of regeneration. Just inside, mounted above a living fray of lush foliage, vibrant large-scale paintings reflect a range of visual styles, from psychedelic glitchery ("Garden Sequence 070624" by Przemysław Blejzyk) to folksy surrealism ("We Walked to the Top of the Holy Mountain" by Andrea Heimer) to mystic landscapes ("Night Forest" by Kimberly Trowbridge). Dom Nieri, founder of local art consultancy ARTXIV, curated a collection of 46 original artworks— including a site-specific installation of moss and rope that will cascade through the hotel's lightwell later this year—and 295 limited-edition prints by 35 local, regional, and international artists. Each piece was sparked by a single source of inspiration—the Pacific Northwest—and produced during a summer residency at the neighboring RailSpur Manufacturing Building. 'We'd take groups of artists out for plein air painting, riding ferries, going to the beach, and they'd come back to our 10,000-square-foot studio and respond to the experience,' Nieri says. 'We brought back the original intent of the building as a working production space.' All the art is for sale, making the hotel a working gallery that explores themes of place, persistence, and becoming. I imagine which wall in my tiny San Francisco apartment "Holy Mountain" would look best on, and which imaginary bank account I would draw from to purchase it. Populus also participates in Pioneer Square's First Thursdays—the longest-running art walk in the country—and plans to host guest-exclusive artist talks in the Nature Library and live performances in the Art Room. 'We're not doing things for the neighborhood—we're doing things with it,' adds Nieri. 'That means bringing people in, making space for their voices, and letting the work grow from there.' Family-Friendly Offerings While Populus Seattle doesn't have dedicated kids' programming, it's far from inhospitable to families. During dinner at Salt Harvest, the family seated next to me ordered off-menu pasta with Parmesan cheese for their three kids, though they ended up stealing bites of dad's pork chop anyway. The hotel's walkable Pioneer Square location also makes it easy to explore nearby kid-friendly spots, such as the Seattle Aquarium and the waterfront Great Wheel. Rooms like the Douglas Fir Studio or the Summit Suite offer more breathing room for families. Accessibility and Sustainability As a journalist who's been on the design beat for over two decades, I've read enough sustainability claims to be skeptical, but here, I was pleasantly surprised by the specificity. Converting a 1907 brick-and-timber warehouse into a modern boutique hotel drastically cuts carbon emissions by an average of 78 percent compared to new builds, according to industry studies, giving Populus Seattle a significant head start on its goal of being climate regenerative. 'The adaptive reuse approach was key,' says Buerge. 'It let us preserve character while cutting down on carbon. That's a big win in both directions.' Such an ambitious retrofit also meant striking a balance between design ambition and practical considerations. While the dramatic central staircase serves as an architectural centerpiece, spacious elevators and ADA-compliant rooms ensure that access isn't compromised. But living the net-positive life isn't just about renewable power (Populus has committed to sourcing 100 percent of its energy from off-site solar and wind farms), or planting trees (one for every night you stay, through the aptly named One Night, One Tree program), or diligent composting (food waste will be diverted from landfill by onsite BioGreen360 digesters). Even the cafe's to-go cups are low-impact, made from durable clay, not single-use plastic or paper. Ultimately, it's about leaving the neighborhood better than you found it. 'We're not just looking at net zero,' adds Buerge. 'Carbon positive means going beyond—regenerating ecosystems and reinvesting in communities.' Location The lounge at The Café at Salt Harvest. Ric Stovall/Populus Seattle RailSpur, a placemaking project by Urban Villages, has transformed the area's back-of-house service corridors into walkable public spaces. Today, they feature art, patio seating, and independent businesses like Marigold and Mint Botanicals, plus a forthcoming outpost of the national cocktail bar Death & Co. 'And Populus is the beating heart of it all,' says Buerge. Given the buzz around the hotel, it may well become the pulse of historic Pioneer Square. As Seattle's oldest neighborhood, the area has seen its share of boom-and-bust cycles—from the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, which leveled the place, to the Klondike Gold Rush of the late 1890s, when some 70,000 prospectors passed through Seattle en route to the Yukon, turning Pioneer Square into a hub for supplies, lodging, and entertainment. Despite—or perhaps because of—its gritty reputation, modern-day Pioneer Square holds serious cultural cred, thanks to standout galleries like Greg Kucera, spotlighting contemporary work by emerging Pacific Northwest artists, and Foster/White, long associated with renowned Seattle glass artist Dale Chihuly, as well as indie shops like Flora and Henri, a concept lifestyle boutique next door to the artisanal doughnut cafe General Porpoise. I took great delight in discovering Peter Miller Books + Supplies, a tucked-away gem for architecture and design lovers, where I purchased several Japanese notebooks and Miller's housekeeping homage, "How to Wash the Dishes." It seems the legacy neighborhood is undergoing yet another transformation, with Populus being part of the change. Book Now Populus Seattle doesn't participate in any hotel or credit card loyalty programs, but before booking your stay, check out the hotel's website for its latest offers and discounts. Nightly rates at Populus Seattle start at $359 per night. Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.
