We celebrate the great beauty of our city through a crow’s nest view from five of Seattle’s tallest structures – or buildings that are perched high on a hill. You’ll get my drift when you read on.
Here are, in my humble opinion, the highest-and-best locations to soak in the wonderful vistas Seattle has to offer (in alphabetical order):
Capitol Hill water tower – 1247 15th Avenue East (entrance at 14th Ave. E. and E. Prospect Street)
One of the great landmarks of our city is Volunteer Park. Two 100-plus-year-old structures act as North-South bookends to the broad greenspace in the middle. The conservatory, built in 1912, stands the test of time and is home to some great wonders of mother nature. To the south, the water tower, built in 1906, can hold 880,000 gallons of fresh aqua pura, as it is engraved in Latin above both entrances of the structure.
The Great Seattle Fire of 1889 prompted locals to approve a proper water system, with the Cedar River as its primary source. A pipeline channeled water to the Volunteer Park reservoir and nearby steel standpipe enveloped in brown brick.
The tower has walls that are 27 inches thick at the base and it stands roughly 76 feet above some of the highest land on Capitol Hill. At 520 feet in elevation, it is actually higher than the Space Needle. The top of the structure is open to the public – no cost, except for the sweat required to climb 106 steps from either of two stairways on opposite sides of the tower to reach a simple observatory with some historical information panels and directional signage as a guide.
The result of your efforts is 360-degree breathless (literally and figuratively) views of our city and a little beyond. Peeping through the 16 open windows, you can see Bellevue, Mt. Rainier, downtown Seattle, that Needle we mentioned and the Olympic Mountains (weather permitting, of course).
A visit to the 48-acre Volunteer Park is an outstanding daytrip, with the Seattle Asian Art Museum, conservatory, plenty of grass and trees, and that old structure standing sentry with a surprise at the top.
Columbia Center – 701 5th Avenue
The state’s tallest structure – for now – is a 76-story office tower opened in 1985. Previously named after major banks that operated within, Columbia Center is a granite and steel monolith that stands in downtown. It was the tallest structure on the West Coast when opened but has since been surpassed by other towers in California.
Columbia Center is a destination for both locals and tourists, as the tower offers the highest observation perch west of the Mississippi and 360-degree vistas.
Known as Sky View, visitors are whisked by elevator 900 feet up to the 73rd floor for the best views of the Pacific Northwest.
There is also a private dining room high above the city for equally stunning views, but you must be a member to enjoy the food (which is outstanding) and drink.
Oh, I wrote “for now” in the opening paragraph because there are plans to surpass Columbia Center for the honor of tallest building in the PNW.
Early designs under review by the city call for the construction of a mixed-use, residential/hotel/commercial structure on 4th Avenue between Cherry and Columbia streets that, if approved, would be 1,185 feet tall.
Insignia Towers – 583 Battery Street and 588 Bell Street
I have an affinity for Insignia Towers, the gleaming pillars of success and status on the eastern edge of Belltown. The condo community is stunning inside with its two-story fitness center and media room on lower floors.
The real highlight (pun intended) are the twin rooftop terraces that offer captivating views toward the North, West and South. I’ve been fortunate enough to take in the expansive vistas from the 41st floor in both buildings. Amazing.
I also enjoy hearing buyers’ reactions when they walk out on the terrace and see Elliott Bay, the Space Needle or Mt. Rainier. They are almost giddy. Pictures don’t capture the vastness, the beauty. It’s worth asking a resident (if you know one) – or real estate agent (you know me!) – to show you around.
Residents can really show off to their friends with the outdoor views high atop the city but also take advantage of a large party room with full kitchen … and stunning views.
Smith Tower – 506 2nd Avenue
The white monolith standing tall in the south end of the city is now dwarfed by Columbia Center and a few other high-rises but it was once Seattle’s tallest skyscraper. In fact, at 484 ft., Smith Tower was once the tallest building outside of New York City.
Built in 1914, the 38-story landmark still offers wonderful views inside and out from the Observatory. With age comes great history: KING Broadcasting started its radio and TV output from this location in 1947 and remained there for 35 years.
Until 2017, the building’s seven elevators were manually operated, giving visitors (and office workers) a sense of the past and the fun of having a personal tour guide on the ride up.
The Observation Bar on the 35th floor makes traditional cocktails such as a Gibson or Old Fashioned while providing guests a chance to sit and reflect on decades past.
Whether you’re young (of legal age, of course) or old, you will love sipping a drink, snacking and thinking about then and now – with a great view.
Space Needle – 400 Broad Street
The Space Needle snagged the crown from the Smith Tower in 1962 as the city’s tallest structure. And while it, too, has been surpassed for height, the Needle will never be outdone for its world-recognized architecture.
It is unquestionably the most-iconic manmade landmark in the PNW and the structure maintains a sense of futurism even after more than a half-century. Standing slightly more than 600 ft. tall, the Space Needle offers some of the best 360-degree views anywhere.
The observation deck reopened in 2018 after undergoing a major renovation that removed a classic restaurant but provided for a new, rotating(!), see-through glass floor – called The Loupe – and glass-enclosed viewing area. No more windy trips around the previous outdoor perimeter. There is a small café bar to sip a beverage and take in the glorious sights – Elliott Bay, Olympic Mountains or Mt. Rainier.
John Graham Jr. is credited as the primary architect on the unusual project for the 1962 World’s Fair. He was also known for other city creations, including The Westin hotel in downtown, Northgate Mall and The Decatur, a New York City-styled condo on Seattle’s First Hill.
Whether you are planning a trip to Seattle, moving to the Emerald City or just want to “get high” from our tallest vantage points, you cannot go wrong with any – or all – of these five venues.
And, if you’re looking for a sweet penthouse vista in your next home, please let me help. I know the city’s condos, their amenities and insider details about the most important aspect – the views.