The expanded Lake City Branch is the 17th branch to open under the "Libraries for All" building program. The building was designed by ARC Architects and built by Bayley Construction.
The architects designed the building to create a civic presence, preserving the grand entrance courtyard and the bronze gates by renowned Seattle artist and sculptor George Tsutakawa. The brick and metal-clad exterior echoes the brick used in the original structure, which the city's Landmarks Preservation Board named a landmark building. Remodeling the interior exposed the rich brick walls of the original building, which had been covered by shelving.