Just off the colonnade along Boren Avenue in the heart of Seattle, amid its skyscrapers and bustling sidewalks, stands the Hill7 building. A peek through its large glass facades reveals a contemporary lounge anchored beneath 280,000 square feet of office space. Surrounded by the traffic of downtown Seattle, the building’s open lobby offers respite from the constant motion outside
But blink and you might miss them: two Artly Robot Baristas hard at work brewing, cleaning, and pouring some of the city’s finest coffee drinks. From sweet to bitter and everything in between, Artly’s Barista Bots aim to meet the sky-high expectations of a city renowned for its coffee and art.
Here, the Barista Bots serve up a selection of pour-over coffees made with responsibly sourced specialty beans. Citrus lovers should try the Ecuador Pepe Jijon Geisha Wave, which carries notes of orange blossom and nectarine, while those pursuing a flourily flavor can opt for the Panama Finca Lerida Honey Mosto. These flavors are exclusive to the Hill 7 location.
Seattle, endearingly called the Emerald City, swings between the extremes of wet, moody winters and dry, blistering summers. Yet, in contrast to its seasonal expectations, greenery thrives year-round. It was this moody weather that shaped Seattle’s coffee culture. Like the greeneries, coffee (hot and cold) has helped to keep the city moving for over a century through all four seasons.
By the late 1950s, Seattle coffee houses began crossing over with artistry, turning from purveyors of beverages to community hubs that displayed art and music. And thus, coffee houses became the destination to connect, converse, and create within the city. They are now as much about the space as they are about the beverage.
This is why it’s so important for the Hill 7 building to encapsulate the energy of the folks flowing through its corridors. According to its development notes, its “reflective soffit/ceiling stretches from the colonnade to the lobbies, providing a unique connection between the two that bounces light, movement, and color, keeping the space alive.” Also, it's just a short distance away from Pike Place Market, the birthplace of Starbucks in 1971.
With high ceilings, ample seating, plenty of lighting, and a serene ambiance, Hill 7 is a great area for socializing, studying, or getting work done. Its spacious interior and steady, moderate foot traffic provides enough sound buffers for visitors to focus without distractions. Visitors can enjoy the cool air with lingering scents of lattes, mochas, and all sorts of teas.
And in the background, Artly’s Barista Bot continues its quiet magic to stave off fatigue one cup at a time. With the ability to craft 28 drink varieties, Artly’s Barista Bots have become a beloved fixture in the neighborhood.