subject: Space Needle, a building that continues to awe and fascinate [print this page] Space Needle, a building that continues to awe and fascinate
The Space Needle is an imposing tower that is an iconic structure located in the American city of Seattle. It holds the position of being one of the city's esteemed structures, and is recognized as one of Seattle's distinctive symbols. Situated at the Seattle Center, the Space Needle was constructed for the World's Fair in 1962; at this time almost twenty thousand people ascended the Space Needle through its elevators each day. The tower is of impressive dimensions, standing 184 meters tall and 42 m at its widest point; the structure weighs no less than 9,550 tons. At the time of its creation the Space Needle had the distinction of being the highest man-made structure west of the river Mississippi.
The revolving SkyCity restaurant is situated at 152 m; other highlights include the observation area at 160m and a souvenir/gift shop. The pinnacle of the Needle affords a sensational view of the Seattle skyline, the mountains around the region and the islands in the environs. The trip to the highest point of the tower takes 43 seconds through the special elevators which function in the structure. To this day the Space Needle remains an attraction of note, luring countless visitors each year.
At the time of the World Fair there were two leading concepts for a unique memorable structure; architect John Graham's idea of a flying saucer and businessman Edward Carlson's concept of a mammoth balloon affixed to the ground. Yet another individual came up with the tower's hourglass shape. The final design incorporated elements from each of these concepts.
A more recent addition has been the Legacy Light, which is brought into operation during significant national holidays and occasions of note in Seattle. This is a shaft of light which is projected into the heavens, creating a memorable sight.
If you seek Seattle hotels, and discount Seattle hotels in particular, a convenient way to access these is the SeattleHotelseye.com online portal. This resource enables online booking of hotels in Seattle, greatly facilitating your search.
