A major new office building on the Washington state Capitol campus is nearing its grand opening. While it shares the same name as the structure it replaces, the Irving R. Newhouse Building will be a significant upgrade in terms of space, design, and sustainability.

The new building is a marked contrast to the nearly 90-year-old structure it replaces. Occupants will find a larger, brighter, and safer environment with modern amenities, including floor-to-ceiling windows, a central staircase, and rooftop solar panels that will provide approximately 20% of the building's power.

Irving Ralph Newhouse, for whom the building is named, was a prominent Republican state senator and former House minority leader. Newhouse served in the Washington state Legislature for over three decades before retiring in 1999. He passed away in 2001, and his legacy of public service is carried on by his son, Dan, who currently serves in Congress.

The original Newhouse Building, which opened in 1934, had become outdated and structurally compromised over the years, with issues ranging from a failing foundation to an antiquated heating system. As a result, in 2021, the state Legislature approved $69 million for the demolition and replacement of the building, a project whose costs have since risen to $94.7 million.

The new four-story, 59,240-square-foot building features sustainable design elements such as locally sourced construction materials, energy-efficient windows, and natural ventilation. The structure is on track to receive a gold rating under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.

Inside, the Newhouse Building will house legislative offices and staff, with the first floor dedicated to a large meeting room. Art installations by Ryan!, a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, add local cultural flavor, and a distinctive "mixing chamber" allows natural light to flow through common spaces.

The original Newhouse Building, which was known as the Highway Building when it opened in 1934, housed a variety of tenants over the years, including the Washington State Highway Department and the Department of Labor & Industries. In 1998, it was renamed in honor of Irving Newhouse, and state lawmakers have since opted to retain the name for the new structure.

As the building nears completion, many former tenants, including senators and caucus staff, have already begun moving into the modernized space, ready for its official opening. The Irving R. Newhouse Building will be the first significant legislative structure added to the Capitol campus since the Joel M. Pritchard Building in 1958.