The City of SeaTac announced this week that it has acquired the Bull Pen Pub property at 20001 International Blvd., a prominent site next to the Angle Lake Link light rail station that city officials say will support both near-term activities during the 2026 FIFA World Cup and long term redevelopment in the area.
The dilapidated, burn-scarred site sits at the southwest corner of South 200th Street and International Boulevard, adjacent to the Angle Lake station and near the planned Civic Campus International Village project (map below).
City officials said public ownership of the property allows SeaTac to move forward with development plans aimed at improving the surrounding neighborhood for residents, businesses and visitors.
Burned in 2016
In August 2016, the property was severely damaged by a fire after staff noticed smoke and called 911, according to Puget Sound Fire. Firefighters arriving at the scene found heavy smoke coming from the roof but reported that the building had already been evacuated. No injuries were reported, and early indications at the time suggested the fire was accidental.
The Bull Pen was a popular pub, hosting comedy nights as well as karaoke in its heyday.
According to the City of SeaTac, the property occupies one of the most visible corners in the city and is seen daily by light rail riders, drivers and travelers heading to and from Seattle Tacoma International Airport.
Near-Term Use During FIFA World Cup 2026
The acquisition comes as the region prepares to host matches and events connected to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The city said the site may be used for temporary activities tied to the international tournament.
SeaTac plans to demolish two unsafe buildings currently on the property to prepare the site for activation and new amenities. Officials said the location could host fan gathering areas and event programming during the World Cup period, along with visitor information and wayfinding features that connect travelers to SeaTac and the broader region.
City planners also envision pop up retail, food vendors and cultural experiences highlighting the community’s diversity, as well as flexible outdoor space that can serve both residents and visitors.
Officials said the Bull Pen property is part of a larger redevelopment strategy focused on the Angle Lake station area. The city’s long term goal is to support mixed uses that expand economic opportunity while improving walkability and connectivity in the neighborhood.
In the coming weeks, SeaTac plans to begin demolition of unsafe structures and prepare the site for initial activation expected around June.
Took away the best neighborhood convenient store too best prices around, and now just poof gone. Just so we can get taxed on another project. You have opened 2 new stations bigger than here that will take alot of the traffic away from the location. And most the FIFA traffic will be coming from hotels and users. So again thanks for taking out another piece of history in this town.
I believe that the Bull Pen is the site that was the inspiration for Jimi Hendrix’s Spanish Castle Music song
Actually, the Spanish Castle was located further south in Des Moines.
From https://www.dmhs.org/map-photos/spanish_castle.html:
“The Spanish Castle was built in the early 1930s and know as the Highline Spanish Castle. The building looked like a castle and had the initials “H L” on the chimney. It was one of many ballroom dance establishments in the Seattle area. Frankie Roth and later Gordon Greene lead the band. M. W. Morrill bought the castle in 1937 and sold it in 1961 to his original partner C. L. Knudtsen. In later years local radio stations brought bands to Seattle to perform at the Spanish Castle. Guitar mastermind, Jimi Hendrix, a Seattle native, performed at the Spanish Castle and wrote “Spanish Castle Magic” in its honor. It was bulldozed the week of April 7, 1968 and replaced with the office building north of the gas station on the corner. In the spring of 2005 the office building was demolished to make room for a Walgreens Pharmacy.”
Does anyone know where Dave’s Diner is located? I see the sign on Pac Highway but I have never found the restaurant
Dave’s Diner closed in 2018, but for some reason that sign was never removed.
Seattle is not and will never be ready to host such a big event. The light rail is always broken down. Please ask them to move this event out of Seattle