The Space Needle is a futuristic observation deck and tourist attraction in Seattle, built in less than a year for the 1962 World’s Fair. Its stability and strength come from an extremely heavy foundation. The building underwent renovations in 2000, and is now open 365 days a year.
The Space Needle is a notable observation deck and tourist destination that serves as one of the most recognizable buildings on the Seattle skyline. Built in less than a year for the 1962 World’s Fair, the Space Needle remains a striking and unusual landmark, although its former height has been surpassed by many other buildings. Influenced by the space race of the 1960s, the Space Needle is a monument to futuristic design aesthetics.
The 1962 World’s Fair was planned to be a futuristic frenzy with the theme “Century 21”. Hotel owner Edward Carlson was determined to give the fair a stunning central building that would remain in Seattle even after the glitz of the fair was gone. Working with another architect, John Graham, Carlson developed the spatial, modern design of the Space Needle. Rising from slender, gazelle-like legs, the floors featured a large saucer-influenced disc that could serve as an observation deck and revolving restaurant.
An initial difficulty was to find public land for the building which was located within the fairgrounds. With only a year to go and hope winding down, Carlson’s team located a parcel of land that met Needle’s requirements and purchased it for $75,000 US Dollars (USD). With just 13 months left until the world descended on Seattle, Carlson’s team has established an incredibly brisk build pace. Failure to complete the building would be a black mark on the city, as well as forever tarnishing Carlson’s reputation.
One of the Space Needle’s most magnificent features is its stability and strength. By building an extremely heavy foundation 30 feet (9.14 m) below ground, the center of gravity of the entire structure was placed nearly at ground level. This allowed the building to withstand earthquakes common to the Pacific Northwest, as well as giving it the strength to survive hurricane-level winds. Famously, the foundation was laid in just 12 hours, using 467 truckloads of cement.
The 605-foot (184 m) Space Needle was finished in December 1961, four months before the World’s Fair opened. The famed elevators would carry nearly 20,000 passengers a day during the height of the fair, traveling at speeds of 10 miles per hour (16 km/h) up and down the fanciful structure. Thanks to his innovation and style, the building quickly became a Seattle landmark, remaining its most popular tourist attraction ever since.
In 2000, the Space Needle underwent renovations that cost many times the building’s original price. In addition to the basic updates, the two original restaurants have been combined and revised to create the SkyCity restaurant. Several retail stores and additional tourist diversions have also been added. As of 2010, the Space Needle is open 365 days a year, with the restaurant serving brunch, lunch, and dinner most days. Paid tickets are required to ride the elevator, and group tours are available for a fee.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
