One of Seattle’s most iconic landmarks is getting a $100 million makeover.
The Space Needle will undergo its third major renovation starting this September that includes new floor-to-ceiling glass on the open-air observation deck atop the 605-foot structure, which will replace the existing safety wires. There will also be a new see-through rotating glass floor at a redesigned restaurant, offering new downward views, among other upgrades.
The “Century Project,” which is privately funded, won’t change much of the Needle from afar, but is designed to improve the experience of guests who visit the tourist attraction that was built 55 years ago for the World’s Fair.
Space Needle LLC is working with design firm Olson Kundig; Hoffman Construction; Seneca Group; Tihany Design; the City of Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board; local architecture historians and preservationists; an original Space Needle structural engineer; and the larger Seattle community on the renovation.
“I believe we’ll look back at this as a pivotal moment in the history of the Space Needle,” Jeff Wright, chairman of Space Needle LLC, said in a statement. “This project both connects us back to our roots, to the vision that my father and his partners had when they built the Space Needle in 1962, and guides us forward into the future for generations to enjoy.”
Most of the Space Needle will remain open during the renovation; the initial phase of construction will be completed by next summer. You can learn more about the Century Project here.
