As part of the Legislative Campus Modernization (LCM) project DES replaced the Irving R. Newhouse Building that houses members of the Senate and their staff.

The Irving R. Newhouse Building was constructed as a temporary structure in 1934 and was beyond its useful life. It posed significant health and safety hazards, obsolete building systems, and the interior was overcrowded during Legislative session.

Major impacts

The Irving R. Newhouse Building is complete. Members of the Senate and their staff moved in before the start of the 2025 Legislative Session.

Stay up-to-date on the latest impacts by reading the LCM Weekly Update and viewing progress photos on our LCM Flickr collection.

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Project schedule

Construction on the new building began in the summer of 2023 and was complete in December 2024.

Public involvement

The design underwent months of public input, including an environmental review and feedback from the LCM Landscape Peer Review Panel.

Stakeholder meetings were finished after the design phase of each piece of the project.

Irving R. Newhouse Building replacement

The Irving R. Newhouse Building replacement complements the historic campus design while using modern techniques to meet both the current and future needs of the Senate, and help the campus meet its clean energy goals.

The Irving R. Newhouse Building replacement features design elements and artwork that depict the timeless aesthetic and values of Washington state, and an expanded footprint to reduce crowding.

The building is on track to receive at least a Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating. 
Key sustainability features include:

• Reduced embodied carbon footprint through use of salvaged Douglas Fir wood and Wilkeson sandstone.
• Energy-efficient windows, well-insulated walls, natural ventilation, and added daylight through a skylight.
• Finishes free of harmful “red list” chemicals.

Landscape design

The landscape design enhances the plan of the original landscape architects, the Olmsted brothers, and is a beautiful transition from the West Capitol Campus landscape to the historic South Capitol Neighborhood.

Watch the Maintaining the Olmsted Legacy video to learn more about Olmsted design on the Capitol Campus.

Historic mitigation

To make room for the new building, DES had to demolish the old temporary Irving R. Newhouse Building and nearby Capitol press corps houses.

DES worked with the Washington State Department of Archaeological and Historic Preservation (DAHP) to come up with a plan to offset those losses:

1. Salvage, reuse, and recycle whenever possible.
2. Document buildings through professional photography.
3. Explain site history and context.

Watch the historic mitigation video to learn more about DES’ plan, or Historic Washington: Capitol Press Houses on TVW to learn more about the historic Press Houses.

For up to date information on the LCM project, sign up for the LCM Weekly Update.