Seattle Public Library
Seattle Public Library, Public library in Downtown Seattle, United States
The library extends across eleven floors within a steel and glass construction featuring slanted surfaces and transparent walls along Fourth Avenue, displaying unconventional geometric shapes and exposed structural elements.
The facility opened on May 23, 2004, replacing earlier buildings that had existed since 1891, with Rem Koolhaas and Joshua Prince-Ramus serving as lead architects and the Gates Foundation contributing a significant portion of the $165 million construction cost.
This library serves over 8,000 daily visitors with free access to digital resources, work spaces and community programs, making it a central meeting point for residents from all city neighborhoods.
The library sits between Third and Fourth avenues in central Downtown, accessible via multiple bus lines and the Westlake Link Light Rail station, with barrier-free access provided through elevators and ramps at all entrances.
The Book Spiral extends across four floors without interruptions, encompassing roughly 410,000 volumes (412,000 sq ft) arranged without gaps between categories, creating room for future collection growth within each classification.
Location: Seattle
Inception: 1890
Architects: Rem Koolhaas, Joshua Ramus
Official opening: May 23, 2004
Floors above the ground: 11
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Operator: The Seattle Public Library
Address: 1000 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
Opening Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 10:00-20:00; Friday-Monday 10:00-18:00
Phone: +12063864636
Website: https://spl.org
GPS coordinates: 47.60667,-122.33278
Latest update: December 12, 2025 02:14
Postmodern architecture emerged in the 1970s as a response to the rigid principles of modernism, reintroducing color, ornament, and historical references into contemporary building design. The movement evolved over decades, producing structures that challenge conventional forms and experiment with...
Rem Koolhaas is one of the most influential architects working today, and his buildings shape how people experience public spaces in major cities around the world. From museums to cultural centers to libraries, his designs combine practical function with bold visual ideas. You can find his work in...
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