Designed and created in 1962 for the World’s Fair, the Space Needle observation tower has been an iconic feature of Seattle for decades and now stands proudly as a landmark of the Pacific Northwest of America. At the time of its construction, it was the tallest tower west of the Mississippi River, at 184 metres high, and has a structural foundation designed to withstand high-speed winds, extreme earthquakes and lightning strikes. The futuristic aesthetic and towering presence of the Space Needle made it the centrepiece of the 1962 World Fair, and its timeless design means it remains a historic landmark, confirmed by the Board of Landmarks Preservation in 1999.
To enjoy the full potential of the Space Needle, visitors can take an elevator to the top observation deck in only 41 seconds, where there are stunning, encompassing views of Seattle and its surrounding mountains. There is also a revolving restaurant called SkyCity, which slowly rotates at the height of 150 metres and offers beautiful, panoramic views to those enjoying delicious Pacific Northwest cuisine. At night, the Space Needle brightens and illuminates the Seattle skyline in a blaze of white light. Visitors can explore the gift shop at the base of the tower and buy Space Needle souvenirs, or explore the Seattle Centre outside, which surrounds the landmarks and offers a range of artistic and creative entertainment.
Seattle is reachable from around the state of Washington via Interstate 5, which navigates the north-west coast of America and once in the city, drivers can easily find the Space Needle, where visitors can find parking within walking distance. Public transport is an especially easy way of travel as the city monorail has a station at the base of the tower, and services regularly leave from downtown directly to the Space Needle.
The final design of the Space Needle is a combination of architectural designs by two creative minds, Edward Carlson and John Graham, primarily merging the images of a balloon and a flying saucer. Finally completed the day before its grand opening, the construction of the Space Needle was a multi-million dollar project. In the year 2000, renovations added the restaurant and shop, improved the lighting and developed the Observation Deck, and for its anniversary of fifty years, painters decorated the top of the needle gold.