Seattle Center

2025-10-16T04:14:02Z

2600:1700:43CC:49E:B4FA:F99:CCBE:9DB9:

{{Short description|Arts, educational, tourism and entertainment center in Seattle, Washington}}
{{For|the [[area control center]] referred to in radiotelephony as "Seattle Center"|Seattle Air Route Traffic Control Center}}
{{confused|Seattle Convention Center}}
[[File:Sunny Day for Space Needle Standing.jpg|thumb|Space Needle and International Fountain, Seattle Center]]
The '''Seattle Center''' is an entertainment, education, tourism and performing arts center located in the [[Lower Queen Anne, Seattle|Lower Queen Anne]] neighborhood of [[Seattle]], Washington, United States. Constructed for the [[Century 21 Exposition|1962 World's Fair]], the Seattle Center's landmark feature is the {{cvt|605|ft|adj=on}} [[Space Needle]], an [[List of Seattle landmarks|official city landmark]] and globally recognized symbol of Seattle's skyline. Other notable attractions include [[Pacific Science Center]], [[Climate Pledge Arena]], and the [[Museum of Pop Culture]] (MoPOP), as well as [[McCaw Hall]], which hosts both [[Seattle Opera]] and [[Pacific Northwest Ballet]]. The [[Seattle Center Monorail]] provides regular [[public transit]] service between the Seattle Center and [[Westlake Center]] in [[downtown Seattle]], and is itself considered a tourist attraction.
[[File:Pacific Science Center 01.jpg|thumb|Pacific Science Center]]
[[File:Seattle Center McCaw Hall.jpg|thumb|Marion Oliver McCaw Hall]]

== History ==

=== Background ===
[[File:Seattle Civic Auditorium (1954).gif|thumb|Seattle Civic Auditorium, 1954]]
[[File:President Eisenhower starting the electronic countdown to the opening of the 1962 Seattle World's Fair, 1958 (52920407378).jpg|thumb|President [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] starts the electronic countdown to the opening of the 1962 Seattle World's Fair, 1958]]

In 1886, Seattle founder [[David Denny]] donated the tract of land that would eventually host the Seattle Center, stipulating that it be of "public use forever".

Plans for the land took shape in 1928, when mayor [[Bertha Knight Landes]] dedicated the newly-constructed [[Mercer Arena|arena]] and [[McCaw Hall|auditorium]] on the site as the Civic Center complex.

The [[Seattle Center Armory|Seattle Field Artillery Armory]] was constructed in 1939.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Huygen |first=Meg van |date=2018-11-29 |title=The Seattle Center Armory started as an actual military armory—and evolved |url=https://seattle.curbed.com/2018/11/29/18115475/seattle-center-house-armory-history |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221230012734/https://seattle.curbed.com/2018/11/29/18115475/seattle-center-house-armory-history |archive-date=2022-12-30 |access-date=2022-12-30 |website=Curbed Seattle |language=en}}</ref>

=== World's Fair ===
In 1958, the Civic Auditorium was chosen as the future location of the World's Fair, and demolition work began following a countdown ceremony initiated by President [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]].

In 1961, Japanese architects Hideki Shimizu and Kazuyuki Matsushita were chosen to design the [[International Fountain]], and a contract with [[Alweg|Alweg Rapid Transit Systems]] was signed for the construction of the [[Seattle Center Monorail|monorail line]]. On April 21, 1962, President [[John F. Kennedy]] officially opened the World's Fair; the six-month event was attended by, among others, astronaut [[John Glenn]], politician [[Robert F. Kennedy]], and singer [[Elvis Presley]], who arrived in September 1962 to shoot the film ''[[It Happened at the World's Fair]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.seattlecenter.com/about/history |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=www.seattlecenter.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name="HL-After">{{cite web |last=Cipalla |first=Rita |date=December 11, 2022 |title=Seattle Center: After Century 21 |url=https://www.historylink.org/File/22588 |work=[[HistoryLink]] |accessdate=September 4, 2024}}</ref>

=== Later history ===
On June 1, 1963, ownership of the complex was returned to the City of Seattle, which has since maintained it as a hub for the city's performing arts and sporting events. Some of the facilities were leased to the Century 21 Center, a nonprofit corporation formed in 1962 to promote the Seattle Center complex.<ref name="HL-After" /> In December 1964, City of Seattle announced its intent to take over management of the Century 21 Center from the corporation after it had incurred $300,000 in debts.<ref>{{cite news |last=Patty |first=Stanton H. |date=December 7, 1964 |title=City Acts to Take Over Seattle Center |page=1 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> The corporation was dissolved in 1965 and promotion of the Seattle Center was transferred to Greater Seattle, Inc., the region's tourism organization.<ref>{{cite news |date=December 29, 1965 |title=Greater Seattle to Promote Center |page=1 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref>

As of 1965, the Seattle Center Armory remained under the ownership of the [[Washington State Military Department]] but was leased to the city government for use as an events and museum space.<ref>{{cite news |last=Patty |first=Stanton H. |date=June 27, 1965 |title=City Abandons, for Present, Plans to Purchase Armory |work=The Seattle Times |page=43}}</ref>

The Seattle Center campus underwent a decline in attendance and importance after the World's Fair, which led to proposal to redevelop it for other uses.<ref name="HL-After"/> The Seattle city government contracted [[Walt Disney Imagineering]] in 1987 to design a long-term campus plan; the Disney proposal included replacement of the International Fountain with a pond and Memorial Stadium with a parking garage topped by an artificial meadow. The proposals were rejected by the city government after public outcry at hearings.<ref name="HL-After"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Carter |first=Don |date=June 2, 1988 |title=Seattle's center of attraction |page=C1 |work=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]}}</ref>

==Attractions==

Several buildings and pieces of artwork at the Seattle Center have Japanese influences. These include the Pacific Science Center, designed by architect [[Minoru Yamasaki]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Berger |first=Knute |title=Remembering the Seattle architect who built the World Trade Center {{!}} Crosscut |url=https://crosscut.com/culture/2021/09/remembering-seattle-architect-who-built-world-trade-center |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=crosscut.com |language=en}}</ref> ''[[The Seattle Mural]]'' by artist [[Paul Horiuchi]], and the [[Kobe Bell]], a gift to Seattle from its [[sister city]] of [[Kobe|Kobe, Japan]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kobe Bell |url=https://seattlearts.emuseum.com/objects/1514/kobe-bell |access-date=2023-12-02 |website=seattlearts.emuseum.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== Landmarks ===

*The [[Space Needle]], an [[List of Seattle landmarks|official city landmark]], featuring an observation deck and formerly a revolving restaurant.<ref name="Landmarks-S">[http://www.cityofseattle.gov/neighborhoods/preservation/s.htm Landmarks Alphabetical Listing for S] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721033852/http://www.cityofseattle.gov/neighborhoods/preservation/s.htm |date=2011-07-21 }}, Individual Landmarks, City of Seattle. Accessed 28 December 2007.</ref> At the time of its completion in 1961, the Space Needle was the tallest structure west of the [[Mississippi River]].
*[[International Fountain]], located in the center of the complex. Designed by Japanese architects Kazuyuki Matsushita and Hideki Shimizu, the fountain was built as a modernist water sculpture and renovated extensively in 1995. With over 20 spouts, the fountain rotates through programmed cycles of water patterns, accompanied by recorded music from around the world. The music is changed twice a month; it is chosen to complement the water patterns and events programming at the center.
*[[Shooting of John T. Williams#Aftermath|John T. Williams totem pole]]—A 34-foot (10 m) totem pole commemorating [[Shooting of John T. Williams|John T. Williams]].
*[[Kobe Bell]], an official city landmark<ref>[http://www.cityofseattle.gov/neighborhoods/preservation/k.htm Landmarks Alphabetical Listing for K] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120428212309/https://www.cityofseattle.gov/neighborhoods/preservation/k.htm |date=2012-04-28 }}, Individual Landmarks, City of Seattle. Accessed 28 December 2007</ref>
*Mural Amphitheatre, featuring a mosaic mural by artist [[Paul Horiuchi]]; ''[[The Seattle Mural]]'', also created for the World's Fair, is an official city landmark.<ref>[http://www.cityofseattle.gov/neighborhoods/preservation/h.htm Landmarks Alphabetical Listing for H] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209175555/https://www.cityofseattle.gov/neighborhoods/preservation/h.htm |date=2012-02-09 }}, Individual Landmarks, City of Seattle. Accessed 28 December 2007</ref>
*Artists At Play playground
*Howard S. Wright Memorial Fountain
*[[Seattle Center Monorail]], which runs between the Seattle Center and Westlake Center

=== Museums ===

*[[Museum of Pop Culture]] (MoPOP, formerly EMP Museum)
*[[Chihuly Garden and Glass]]
*[[Pacific Science Center]], located in the former United States Science Pavilion building designed by [[Minoru Yamasaki]]
*[[Seattle Children's Museum]], located in the Armory

===Performing arts===

* [[Marion Oliver McCaw Hall]], home of the [[Seattle Opera]] and [[Pacific Northwest Ballet]], whose ballet school is adjacent at the Phelps Center. This is the third performance space on this site, the second being the Opera House built at the time of the World's Fair.
* [[Seattle Repertory Theatre]], home of the Bagley Wright Theatre, the Leo Kreielsheimer Theatre, and the PONCHO Forum
*Center Theatre, home of the Seattle Shakespeare Company and [[Book-It Repertory Theatre]]
*Theatre Puget Sound{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}
*[[The Center School (Seattle)|The Center School]]
*Cornish Playhouse (originally the Seattle Center Playhouse, later renamed Intiman Playhouse when [[Intiman Theatre]] was primary tenant), home of productions of the [[Cornish College of the Arts]]
*[[Seattle Children's Theatre]] at the Charlotte Martin Theatre
*[[The Vera Project]] (or VERA)
*[[Mercer Arena]], formerly a sports, concert, and opera venue before sitting vacant for several years. It was demolished and the site is being redeveloped as the future home of Seattle Opera.
*[[KEXP|KEXP Gathering Space]]

=== Venues ===

*[[Seattle Center Armory]] (known as Center House<ref name="armory-name">[http://seattlecenter.com/mediainfo/press.aspx?id=188 Press Release] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513184438/http://www.seattlecenter.com/mediainfo/press.aspx?id=188 |date=2013-05-13 }}, Seattle Center March 26, 2012 Press release. Accessed 25 July 2013</ref> from the early 1970s until 2012, and the Food Circus<ref name="armory-name-2">[http://www.seattlecenter.com/locations/detail.aspx?id=41 Seattle Center Armory] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801085418/http://www.seattlecenter.com/locations/detail.aspx?id=41 |date=2013-08-01 }}, Seattle Center Website. Accessed 25 July 2013</ref> from 1962 to the early 1970s), including Center Theatre, the home of Seattle Shakespeare Company and [[Book-It Repertory Theatre]], as well as the [[Seattle Children's Museum]], [[The Center School (Seattle, Washington)|The Center High School]] and the [[Academy of Interactive Entertainment]]. Before the 1962 World's Fair, the building was an [[Arsenal|armory]]. Seattle Center Armory is an official city landmark.<ref name="Landmarks-S" />
**A piece of the [[Berlin Wall]] is in the food atrium.
*Exhibition Hall, a space for trade shows, receptions, exhibits, and special events
*Fisher Pavilion at Seattle Center is one of the largest rental venues on the grounds and the first City of Seattle building to achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. The large, flexible space can accommodate a wide range of commercial, charity and community events.
*The Northwest Rooms, once a small conference center, now houses [[Seattle International Film Festival|SIFF Film Center]], The VERA Project, and [[KEXP-FM]].
*[[IMAX]] Theater at Pacific Science Center<ref name="pacsci-rename">[https://www.pacificsciencecenter.org/imax/ IMAX Theater] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116030335/https://www.pacificsciencecenter.org/imax/ |date=2018-11-16 }}, Accessed November 25, 2018</ref>
*Seattle Laser Dome

===Athletics===
*[[Climate Pledge Arena]] is the current home of the [[Seattle University]] [[Seattle Redhawks men's basketball|Redhawks men's basketball team]], the [[Women's National Basketball Association|WNBA]]'s [[Seattle Storm]] and the [[National Hockey League|NHL]]'s [[Seattle Kraken]]. It was the home of the [[National Basketball Association|NBA's]] [[Seattle SuperSonics]], now the [[Oklahoma City Thunder]], and the [[Seattle Thunderbirds]] ([[Western Hockey League]]) [[ice hockey]]. Originally opened as the Seattle Center Coliseum in 1962, it was renovated in 1995 as KeyArena and rebuilt in 2020–2021 as Climate Pledge Arena. The arena hosts over 100 events per year and was the region's top live concert touring venue in 2016 (according to Venues Today magazine)
*[[Memorial Stadium (Seattle)|Memorial Stadium]], a [[high school football]] and [[soccer]] stadium which predates the World's Fair. It was the home of the [[National Women's Soccer League|NWSL's]] [[Seattle Reign FC]] from 2014 to 2018.

===Festivals===
The Seattle Center hosts many cultural, music and arts festivals. Major attractions include:
*[[Bumbershoot]]
*[[Northwest Folklife]]
*[[Festál]] (year-long series of 24 world cultural events)
*[[Seattle Pride|PrideFest]]
*[[Bite of Seattle]]
*Winterfest

== Gallery ==
<gallery class="center">
File:Seattle - International Fountain & Space Needle.jpg|View of the Space Needle with the [[International Fountain]] in the foreground.
File:McCaw Hall Kreielsheimer Promenade.JPG|[[Kreielsheimer Promenade]] and Marion Oliver McCaw Hall
File:Monorail tracks enter EMP-SFM 01.jpg|Monorail tracks entering the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) building.
File:Pacific Science Center at night 02.jpg|The towers of the Pacific Science Center at night.
File:Seattle Center - Kobe Bell 02A.jpg|The Kobe Bell.
File:Aerial Space Needle and EMP - November 2011.JPG|MoPOP and Space Needle seen against the backdrop of the Seattle waterfront and Puget Sound.
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{Official website|http://www.seattlecenter.com/}}
*[http://www.seattlecenter.org/ Seattle Center Foundation]
*[http://nwda-db.wsulibs.wsu.edu/findaid/ark:/80444/xv05823 Guide to the Seattle Center Annual Reports 1966–ongoing]
*[http://www.seattlecenter.com/media/century21b.asp Seattle Center Century 21 Committee]
*[http://www.seattlepridefest.com Seattle PrideFest]
*"Seattle Center", pp. 18–24 in [https://web.archive.org/web/20081031053514/http://www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/preservation/ContextCityOwnedHistoricResourcesSurveyReport.pdf Survey Report: Comprehensive Inventory of City-Owned Historic Resources, Seattle, Washington], Department of Neighborhoods (Seattle) Historic Preservation, offers an extremely detailed account of the history of the buildings and grounds.

{{Seattle Center}}
{{Protected areas of Seattle}}
{{Authority control}}
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[[Category:Seattle Center| ]]
[[Category:Busking venues]]
[[Category:Landmarks in Seattle]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Seattle]]
[[Category:World's fair sites in Washington (state)]]

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Seattle Center