Seattle's Iconic Space Needle Unveils New Look And Visitor Experience

Iconic Space Needle, One of the World’s Most Recognizable Landmarks, Defies Science and Unveils New Look and Visitor Experience This Spring Renovated Structure Combines an Appreciation of History with Ultra-Modern Technology Seattle, Washington  One of the world’s most recognizable landmarks is currently undergoing a “spacelift,” a massive renovation aimed at delivering an ever-more-amazing visitor experience. Seattle’s Space Needle, which is second only to the Eiffel Tower in Paris as one of the most identifiable structures on the planet, will soon debut a whole new look from the inside without substantially changing its exterior appearance ... or the city skyline it has made so famous. From the images that often start an episode of “Grey’s Anatomy” to the opening credits of the old sitcom “Frasier,” the Space Needle has firmly established itself as a pop culture icon. It’s served as the lair of Austin Powers’ nemesis, Dr. Evil, and is even said to have been the inspiration for George Jetson’s home. And just as the film “Sleepless in Seattle” marks its 25th anniversary in June, this legendary tower – which began as a doodle on a placemat or napkin (both stories are out there, and nobody is sure which is correct) and evolved into one of the most remarkable towers ever built – will be unveiling an entirely new look.

Space Needle Before Space Needle After

Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, the 605-foot-tall Space Needle has always been a testament to ingenuity and innovation. It incorporated first-of-its-kind technology 56 years ago, and today’s construction crews, led by the vision of Seattle-based architectural firm Olson Kundig, are continuing to find clever ways to push every limit. With 11 different construction partners working six days a week, 20 hours a day, it gives a whole new meaning to the phrase “sleepless in Seattle.” But the end result will be something that even Hollywood’s finest screenwriters couldn’t have imagined. The renovation currently taking place is aimed at opening up the view from the Space Needle, but it’s also paying tribute to the building’s original conceptual sketches. What the tower’s designers envisioned back in 1962 was marvelous, but their dreams were constrained by the limits of the building materials and technology that existed at that time. Now, nearly six decades later, new things are possible ... like glass that’s stronger than steel. At least 176 tons of glass will be added to the upper, outer and lower observation levels, totaling approximately 17,000 square feet. Though every element of the $100 million renovation is a marvel, visitors will truly appreciate the installation of 48 open-air glass panels, each measuring 11 feet high, seven feet wide, and 2.5 feet thick and weighing a whopping 2,300 pounds. This new technology means that safety “cages” have been removed and replaced with a seamless sight line along a multi-level, floor-to-ceiling viewing experience. In short, from the moment guests step off the elevator that carries them to the observation deck, they’ll get a breathtaking, 360-degree view of Puget Sound beyond and below them. What modern-day visitors will see is 35 percent more expansive than the original technology allowed that view to be.                Those who dare to step outside to the open-air observation area can sit on sleek, attached glass benches that will tilt in such a way that they give visitors unparalleled views downward, allowing them to “dangle” their feet over Seattle. In reality, they’ll be facing inward, but it will truly feel as if they’re George Jetson himself, floating on air.                Back inside, an impressive circular stairway made of steel, wood and glass will connect the upper observation level to a lower level featuring the world’s first and only glass rotating floor observation deck and lounge. This jaw-dropping floor, which is comprised of 10 layers of glass weighing 37 tons, will open up a never-before-seen downward view of the Space Needle. This shot of the Space Needle, taken before renovation began, shows how it dominates Seattle’s skyline.                Those are just a few notable examples of how modern technology is being used to enhance the overall visitor experience. The Space Needle will also feature a state-of-the-art ADA lift that offers the first retracting stair platform lift in the United States, allowing those with limited mobility the opportunity to enjoy the expanded views, too.                In addition to finding ways to, say, move giant pieces of glass 520 feet into the air – and increasing the amount of glass in the structure by an amazing 196 percent – crews have also managed to keep the Space Needle open to guests during much of this renovation, the third in the tower’s history and the most expensive. Since the project began in September 2017, construction teams have divided the structure into six pie-shaped segments, working on one section at a time and allowing the rest of the Observation Deck to remain open to the public as many days as possible. In many ways, the impressive work schedule mimics what was done in the early 1960s, when crews erected the entire Space Needle in just 400 days.                Since its opening day all those years ago, the Space Needle has welcomed more than 60 million visitors. On average, 1.3 million people visit each year, all eager to see and experience the very latest innovation and ingenuity themselves.                For more information about the incredible changes happening at the Space Needle, please visit www.seewhatsup.space.