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|
| Formerly: |
L.C.
Smith Building |
| Built: |
1911-1914
|
| Designed
by: |
Gaggin
and Gaggin |
| Renovated: |
1999-2000
|
| Type: |
Skyscraper
»» Click here to see
other skyscrapers. |
| Cost: |
US$1,000,000.00 |
| Floors: |
42 |
|
Maximum height: |
522
feet |
|
Weight: |
48,650
tons |
| Observation
deck: |
Yes |
| Location: |
506 Second Avenue |
Historically
significant, culturally relevant, and architecturally
important. It is unusual for a skyscraper to have
so many attributes that make it stand out from the
rest, but nearly a century after Smith Tower defined
a city and a culture, it is still revered as the venerable
old man of Seattle's skyline. The Smith Tower has
long been the subject of local folklore. It is said
that after it opened, ships navigated Elliot Bay by
looking for the tower. As a visitor, the thing you
will notice is that it appears to sparkle as brilliantly
today as it did when it opened nine decades ago. The
brass surfaces in the elevator are polished to a fault,
and the elevator operators (yes, real human elevator
operators) wear uniforms as crisp and smart as any
armed serviceman. Unlike today's modern buildings
where the elevator opens into a beige hallway or corporate
lobby, the elevators in the Smith Tower open onto
common hallways where companies operate behind glass
walls as if they were street front shops. The elevator
doors are not sealed, so you can watch the levels
pass and see how each floor is decorated in a different
motif. The 35th floor is more than just an observation
deck. it is home to the Chinese Room. Its hand-carved
ceiling and furniture were a gift from the Empress
of China. There used to be a lot more to it, but most
of the furniture has been poached over the years by
various building owners. One thing that remains is
the "Wishing Chair." It is said that women who sit
in this chair and hope to be married will tie the
knot within a year.
- 4
July, 1914 - Smith Tower opens to the public.
- 1976
- The Smith Tower is washed for the first time.
Its white terra cotta exterior has proven remarkably
resistant to dirt.
- 2000
- The tower gets a US$28,000,000.00 facelift.
-
The Smith Tower is named for Lyman C. Smith, who
is the "Smith" in Smith Corona typewriters. He did
not live to see his tower's completion.
- The
Smith Tower has 2,314 windows. The window frames
are brass.
-
The tower's windows can be opened.
- The
tower rests on 1,276 concrete pilings.
- There
is one apartment in the building. It is in the area
from the 37th floor and higher. This was originally
the caretaker's apartment and a water tank.
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»»This
picture and 230 royalty-free others are available on a CDROM
|
»»This
picture and 230 royalty-free others are available on a CDROM
|
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From
Charlene Esary - 14 October, 2002:
In 1963 my first fulltime job was for Credit Consultants
who were on the 16th floor (as I recall) of the Smith
Tower. The building was in disrepair at that time. I'm
so happy to hear its been renovated. Such a beautiful
asset to the Seattle skyline.
|
From
Gary Furguson - 7 February, 2003:
I worked as an elevator operator in the Smith Tower in
about 1953/54. The elevators were not automatic in any
way and the operator had to "feel" the load and stopping
distance and time, which varied with the passenger weight,
so that, during rush hours, the passengers frequently
had to step up or down as much as a few inches to enter
or exit the car. During the "slow" times I would frequently
go to the observation floor and do "push ups" until I
heard the summoning bell. I was the "express" operator.
|
From
Kathy Barrett - 7 July, 2003
I was looking at some old postcards - one dated Sept 9th
1912 has a picture stating it is The new L.C. Smith Building
Described as being 42 stories high, now being erected
at the corner of Second Avenue and Yesler Way. Back of
card says Eight Elevators - two serving the tower. Six
hundred Offices, Six Stories, Telegraph Office on first
floor, Barber Shop, Restaurant, Buffet in basement. Thirty-fifth
floor furnished in Washington Fir used as an observatory.
Exterior, Washington Granite for first two floors; above
white glazed terra-cotta. Cost $1,500,000. |
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