A sanctuary in the heart of Rainier Square.
After many months of rain, shine (OK, mostly rain), design research, and clever planning, Equinox has officially debuted its first club in Seattle. It’s an opening that’s as much about place as it is about purpose.
Equinox’s newest club is at the center of bustling Rainier Square, a development known for its dynamic fusion of past and future, making it a fitting backdrop for a Seattle debut.
Rainier Square is named after Rainier Tower, a 1970s icon famed for its dramatic tapered base and architectural audacity that made it a local landmark. Designed by Minoru Yamasaki (who also designed the original World Trade Center), the tower has long been seen as a symbol of Seattle’s progressive spirit and bold urban identity.
In 2020, the University of Washington redeveloped Rainier Square for a new generation, including erecting Rainier Square Tower. This sweeping high-rise with luxury apartment residences, office space, and views in every direction now sits next to Rainier Tower in the skyline. The project celebrates Rainier Square’s legacy and reimagines its future — with Equinox at the center of it.
“This is our first club in the Seattle region and only our second in the Pacific Northwest after Vancouver, so we knew that we needed a site that felt acutely local and cosmopolitan,” says Equinox Vice President of Design Dennis Askin. “It was also important that the design reflect Equinox’s market leadership and elevated position.”
The resulting Club is flooded with natural light and deliberate ambience — Equinox’s tribute to downtown Seattle's vibrant energy and its equally vibrant members. It is, as Askin puts it, “a retreat where members can push limits and recharge.”
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True to the Equinox ethos, the Club’s design embodies high performance in every detail. From the moment members enter reception, they’re enveloped in an aesthetic inspired by high-end hospitality, with fluted European oak walls, Zebrino Bianco stone reception desks, and a smattering of vintage-inspired leather lounge chairs.
“The palette intentionally plays with contrast — stone selections off wood panels, elegant furniture upholstered in moody shades and fun patterns,” says Askin. The effect feels sophisticated yet grounded, not unlike Seattle’s historic mix of natural beauty and modern innovation.
Another highlight of Equinox Rainier Square is its dramatic 1,800-square-foot members’ lounge. With a communal table crafted from Belvedere marble and white oak and a Saint-Germain sofa designed by Jean-Marie Massaud, the lounge embodies what Askin calls Equinox’s commitment to “all aspects of a high-performance lifestyle.” It’s a flexible live-work-workout-recharge haven where members can transition seamlessly from movement to meetings, solitude to connection.
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Throughout the Club, functional performance pairs with visual impact. The Strength and Cardio Floor features custom Precision Run treadmills, polished marble counters, and textured olive tiles. The Group Fitness and Yoga + Barre Studios are outfitted with European oak floors and coved light ceilings (with integrated infrared radiant heat panels in the Yoga + Barre studio) — subtle treatments deliberately designed to elevate every session.
Elevated is the key word here. Equinox Rainier Square is more than just a Club; it’s a community sanctuary — a space that encourages connection and reflection, just like the city it now calls home.