Seattle Civic Auditorium, 1954PresidentDwight D. Eisenhower starts the electronic countdown to the opening of the 1962 Seattle World's Fair, 1958
In 1886, Seattle founderDavid 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 mayorBertha Knight Landes dedicated the newly-constructedarena andauditorium on the site as the Civic Center complex.
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 PresidentDwight D. Eisenhower.
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.[3] 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.[4] The corporation was dissolved in 1965 and promotion of the Seattle Center was transferred to Greater Seattle, Inc., the region's tourism organization.[5]
As of 1965, the Seattle Center Armory remained under the ownership of theWashington State Military Department but was leased to the city government for use as an events and museum space.[6]
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.[3] The Seattle city government contractedWalt 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.[3][7]
TheSpace Needle, anofficial city landmark, featuring an observation deck and formerly a revolving restaurant.[10] At the time of its completion in 1961, the Space Needle was the tallest structure west of theMississippi 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.
Mural Amphitheatre, featuring a mosaic mural by artistPaul Horiuchi;The Seattle Mural, also created for the World's Fair, is an official city landmark.[12]
Marion Oliver McCaw Hall, home of theSeattle Opera andPacific 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
Cornish Playhouse (originally the Seattle Center Playhouse, later renamed Intiman Playhouse whenIntiman Theatre was primary tenant), home of productions of theCornish College of the Arts
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.
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 housesSIFF Film Center, The VERA Project, andKEXP-FM.
.gif)
.jpg)
