We’re excited to share one of our latest projects: WeRise Wine, located just a block from Seattle’s iconic Pike Place Market. Founded by the inspiring Jamila Conley, WeRise is the city’s first wine bar to blend wine, social justice, and leadership in a truly inclusive space.
More than just a place to enjoy great wine, WeRise amplifies diverse voices and celebrates the people behind the bottles. With its warm, modern design and intentional styling, it’s a space that feels both welcoming and meaningful.
From the start, this project was a team effort. Despite delays in plumbing permit reviews, Cheng and I pushed forward—starting framing ahead of schedule to maintain momentum. The WeRise team, including PK and Cheng, was instrumental in problem-solving, value engineering, and delivering on both vision and budget.
One of our favorite moments came from a design pivot: leftover wall panels, repurposed in the private dining area, unexpectedly became a standout feature—so much so that the architect said, “I’m going to start doing that now!”
Working in Belltown meant navigating strict rules and tight timelines. To stay on track, we poured the slab ourselves using a MudMixer, avoiding months of permitting delays.
Jamila was a dream client—decisive, focused, and full of trust. A surprise visit from Mayor Bruce Harrell pushed us to wrap up just in time for the December 17th opening.All in all, WeRise was a deeply rewarding project—both in the challenges we overcame and the powerful space we helped create.
