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ASUW Shell House

From innovators to aviators to Olympic champions, UW students and the community have long come together at the ASUW Shell House to do great things.

Project Snapshot

Approximate Total Cost

$22,500,000

Timeline

Planning: May 2019–Sept. 2023
Designing: Sept. 2023–June 2025
Construction: September 2026
Completion: Fall/Winter 2026

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Renovation Groundbreaking

Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025
9:30–10:30 a.m.
ASUW Shell House, University of Washington

Please join us as we honor the legacy of this extraordinary building and embark on the next 100 years of its journey!

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About the Project

Discover the vision behind restoring the ASUW Shell House into a vibrant hub where history, community and the waterfront come together once again.

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Renovation Updates

Explore the latest updates, milestones and behind-the-scenes moments as we restore this iconic landmark on the Montlake Cut.

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Support Us

Help preserve a historic campus landmark. Your support brings us closer to revitalizing the Shell House for future generations to gather, learn and connect.

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Timeline & Next Steps

A feasibility study is completed, a Seattle Landmarks application is submitted, and the initial Case for Support is developed to guide early fundraising and visioning.
The site receives official Seattle Landmarks designation — the UW’s first. An advisory board forms to help guide the project and fundraising efforts begin.
The project secures $2 million in private and county funding, marking a major early fundraising milestone.
An additional $100,000 is awarded by the State of Washington to support this project.
MGM and George Clooney announce their commitment to the Boys in the Boat film, sparking national interest and renewed fundraising energy.
Filming for the movie begins in the spring and a lead donor commits, resulting in additional funding — a $5 million private gift plus a $2 million corporate gift.
Fundraising continues and culminates in the public launch of the Pull Together campaign, raising over $19 million from more than 5,000 donors. The Boys in the Boat film premiers in theaters.
The design-build team of Mithun and Sellen is selected. A campaign celebration is held at the Windermere Cup. Ralph Applebaum & Associates is hired for the exhibit design in partnership with Mithun, and a series of exhibit listening sessions is conducted.
Final design and shoreline and construction permits are submitted for review by the Seattle Landmarks and the National Parks Service.
A fall groundbreaking event is planned for Sept. 17 with construction planned to begin Sept. 29.
Construction is projected to be completed in winter 2026.

“The ASUW Shell House is an icon of Seattle’s identity – a monument, a museum, a workspace, a gathering place on the water where we can pull together, to collaborate, to innovate, and to celebrate our unique identity.”

Daniel James Brown
Author, The Boys in the Boat

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The University of Washington acknowledges the Coast Salish people of the lands and waters where the ASUW Shell House rests — land that touches the shared waters of all tribes and bands within the Suquamish, Tulalip and Muckleshoot nations.