Skillet, Post Alley

Located at the lively intersection of Post Alley and the Harbor Steps Apartments in downtown Seattle, the new Skillet Diner transforms approximately 3,500 square feet of former deli and office space into a warm and welcoming neighborhood restaurant. The design embraces Skillet’s signature mix of comfort and creativity while tackling the complex technical challenges of introducing a full commercial kitchen into an existing mixed-use building. Careful coordination with the MEP engineering team ensured seamless integration of new kitchen systems, including a custom hood and specialized equipment.

Inside, the space channels the modern diner spirit that has become synonymous with Skillet. Large booths and a classic counter with upholstered stools offer familiar comfort, while powder-coated light fixtures in the brand’s signature orange and green tones subtly tie the interiors back to Skillet’s recognizable visual identity. Wood-framed window booths create intimate, semi-enclosed “cubbies” for diners, like small pockets of warmth that contrast with the more open, bustling seating areas at the restaurant’s center.

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The design also pays tribute to Skillet’s origins as an iconic airstream food truck. A custom sculptural take-out window, crafted by a local metalworker, nods to that mobile beginning while adding a playful, contemporary touch. Outside, a large heated patio with festoon lighting and custom banquette seating extends the diner experience into the alley, creating a cozy, year-round gathering spot that feels quintessentially Seattle.

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