Space Needle, Observation tower in Seattle Center, United States
The Space Needle rises 184 meters above Seattle, featuring a circular observation deck and a rotating restaurant at its summit.
Construction began in April 1961, and the tower opened during the Century 21 Exposition World Fair in April 1962.
The tower represents mid-century Googie architecture with its hourglass profile and flying saucer-shaped top platform, reflecting 1960s futuristic design.
Three elevators transport visitors to the observation deck at a speed of 244 meters per minute, completing the journey in 41 seconds.
The structure includes 25 lightning rods and can withstand winds of 320 kilometers per hour and earthquakes measuring up to 9.0 magnitude.
Location: Seattle
Inception: April 17, 1961
Architects: John Graham & Company
Official opening: April 21, 1962
Architectural style: Googie
Floors above the ground: 6
Elevators: 3
Height: 184 m
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Fee: Yes
Charge: Regular (ages 13-64): $35-$39;Senior (ages 65+): $30-$33;Youth (ages 5-12): $26-$29
Operator: The Space Needle is privately owned by the Wright family
Part of: Seattle Center
Address: 400 Broad Street 98109
Opening Hours: Monday-Thursday 09:00-22:00; Friday-Sunday 08:00-00:00
Phone: +12069052100
Website: https://spaceneedle.com
GPS coordinates: 47.62040,-122.34910
Latest update: May 27, 2025 19:59
20th and 21st-century architecture has transformed city centers with structures that push engineering boundaries. Observation towers like the Seattle Space Needle and experimental residential complexes like Habitat 67 in Montreal demonstrate the evolution of construction techniques. Architects have explored new forms using materials such as steel, glass, and concrete, creating structures that meet the growing demands of metropolitan areas. This collection includes buildings that marked their time with innovative design. In Barcelona, Antoni Gaudí's Casa Milà features a wavy facade that breaks traditional norms, while in London, 30 St Mary Axe incorporates energy-saving technologies into its 180-meter structure. From Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum clad in titanium to artificial islands shaped in the Persian Gulf in Dubai, these projects illustrate the diversity of architectural approaches worldwide. Each building reflects its urban context while offering solutions to technical and functional challenges of its era.
Seattle stretches between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, offering a mix of urban architecture, public spaces and natural areas. This route connects more than thirty stops, from the Space Needle and Pike Place Market to less visited sites like the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks or the Wing Luke Museum. The selection includes museums of contemporary and classical art, historic neighborhoods and waterfront parks. Pike Place Market sits downtown and has operated as a public market since 1907. Chihuly Garden and Glass displays the glasswork of local artist Dale Chihuly. The Museum of Pop Culture, designed by Frank Gehry, covers music, film and video games. Olympic Sculpture Park spans nine acres along the waterfront, combining outdoor sculpture with views across the bay. The Seattle Art Museum holds collections from different continents and periods. The Ballard Locks connect salt water to fresh water and include a fish ladder for migrating salmon. Discovery Park covers 534 acres with trails through forest and meadow, plus beach access. Gas Works Park preserves parts of a former coal gasification plant on Lake Union. The Museum of Flight documents aviation history with more than 175 aircraft and spacecraft. Mount Rainier National Park lies about two hours southeast and features the 14,411-foot (4,392-meter) glaciated volcano.
This collection brings together major technical achievements that have marked the history of modern engineering. From the Hoover Dam on the Colorado, built in 1936 to produce hydroelectric power, to the ITER nuclear fusion project in France, which represents the future of energy research, these structures exemplify human boldness and skill. Each structure serves a specific purpose: crossing natural obstacles like the Brooklyn Bridge, connecting Manhattan to Brooklyn since 1883, facilitating maritime trade with the Panama Canal between the Atlantic and Pacific, or pushing height limits with the Burj Khalifa at 828 meters. These achievements are visited around the world and often offer remarkable experiences. The Eiffel Tower welcomes 7 million visitors each year who ascend to discover Paris from its 324-meter height. Shanghai's Maglev allows travel at 430 kilometers per hour thanks to magnetic levitation. The Millau Viaduct crosses the Tarn Valley at 343 meters above sea level over 2,460 meters in length. These engineering landmarks invite understanding of how industrial architecture has shaped our modern world, combining functional necessity with technical prowess that continues to fascinate visitors worldwide.
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