the Needle was rejected. Guests are now surrounded by two breathtaking, multi-level, floor-to-ceiling glass viewing experiences including an outdoor observation level with open-air glass walls and Skyriser glass benches. Learn more about our special rates here. The designer of the nation’s first shopping mall, John Graham, created the final, saucer-shaped design of the Seattle Space Needle. Early investigations indicated such a plot of land did not exist. It all started with a doodle…! This streamlined, modern-before-its-time tower built for the 1962 World’s Fair has been the city’s defining symbol for over 50 years. Space Needle. It was inspired by a tower in Germany. Trust the ultimate local to fill your Seattle bucket list with tours, tips, and tickets. Home sweet home … planting our three legs.Location and financing were also major challenges. The Space Needle's elevators were the last pieces to arrive before the opening, the last one just one day before the fair opened. Discover two entirely new levels of thrills! The Space Needle remained open to the public during the renovation. Discover two entirely new levels of thrills! During the 1992 Miss USA Pageant, the Miss Washington contestant (Stina McLynne) wore a hat shaped like the Space Needle. The building/tower is an official landmark of the Pacific Northwest and an icon of Seattle. The Space Needle is the most recognizable landmark in the Pacific Northwest, and is the symbol of Seattle, Washington. Visit the renovation page to learn more about how the Space Needle is further enhancing its visitor experience.The Space Needle is proud to support local organizations who make a positive difference in the Puget Sound region through its community giving and engagement programs. Visit the Space Needle Foundation page to learn more about the Space Needle’s community giving and guidelines. Construction work began on 17 April 1961 and it … The Space Needle survived, and became Seattle's best-known landmark. Once the pour was completed, the foundation weighed as much as the Space Needle itself, establishing the center of gravity just five feet above ground. A decision was made to build a … The Space Needle was designed to withstand an earthquake of magnitude 9.1 and hurricane force winds of over 320 km/h (200 miles per hour). The Space Needle, a modernistic totem of the Seattle World's Fair, was conceived by Eddie Carlson (1911-1990) as a doodle in 1959 and given form by architects John Graham Jr. (1908-1991), Victor Steinbrueck (1911-1985), and John Ridley. In 1982 the SkyLine level was added at 30m (100 feet). The Space Needle stands at 605 feet tall. It took 467 cement trucks an entire day to fill the hole, and the largest continuous concrete pour ever attempted in the West. There have been three restaurants at the Space Needle since its opening – Eye of the Needle (1962-1979); Emerald Suite (1980-1999); and SkyCity (2000-2017). The Space Needle was completed in December 1961 and officially opened four months later the first day of the World Fair, April 21, 1962. BUY TICKETS LIMITED TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE OPEN DAILY MONDAY - FRIDAY 12:00PM SATURDAY & SUNDAY 11:00AM CLICK FOR CLOSING TIMES & MORE INFO The architecture of the Space Needle is the result of a compromise between the designs of two men, … It was built for the the 1962 World’s Fair. The Space Needle currently hosts over 1.3 million guests each year and nearly 60 million visitors have visited the tower since it opened in 1962. Prepare for launch and have the safest and easiest experience around. Why the Space Needle was built After opening for the 1962 World’s Fair , the Space Needle became as much of an instant celebrity as a building can be – as well known in the US as other iconic structures like the Eiffel Tower in Paris . The Space Needle’s chief engineer, John Minasian, had also designed rocket gantries for NASA. 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