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Published in The Seattle Times online on March 7, 2024
and in Pacific NW Magazine of the printed Times on March 10, 2024

Panoramic book reveals Space Needle’s newly transparent views

By Clay Eals

Somehow I can’t forget a delightful ditty from when I was 11 years old. Its lyrics come from one of many Seattle World’s Fair-themed songs in 1962, sung to the show-tune melody of “Hey, Look Me Over”:

Hey, look us over, come to the fair
Come to Seattle, fun is everywhere

Climb up in space, look all around
You’ll be amazed at the sights you see
You never knew that could be found …

Of course, the reference was to the Space Needle, now the preeminent worldwide symbol of Seattle. To me, the 605-foot beacon is calming, inspirational, ubiquitous. It’s in framed posters at home. It’s on my smartphone wallpaper. It’s in the corner of my eye whenever I zip around the city. I doubt I’m alone.

You might not have visited the Needle other than to show visitors. Whether dissuading you was the press of everyday life or the price of admission ($26-$39 today, depending on age, vs. $1 in 1962), your last ascent might have been years ago.

In fact, you might not have ridden the golden elevators to the “top house” since its breathtaking renovation of 2017-18.

But hey, now you can learn about and enjoy the big redo at ground level.

Just published is a lavishly illustrated book, “New Heights: Transforming Seattle’s Iconic Space Needle” (192 pages, Images Publishing Group). It was written and assembled by Olson Kundig, the Seattle-based international design firm that shepherded the $100 million project.

The book snugly complements Knute Berger’s definitive 2012 tome “Space Needle: The Spirit of Seattle” (184 pages, Documentary Media).

And just as with the song lyrics, “New Heights” makes clear that for the Needle’s renovators, the views were THE thing.

Heeding the city Landmark Preservation Board’s admonition to retain the Needle’s original look and profile, changes nevertheless were substantial — and stunning. Off came exterior security cages in favor of tall glass panels. Interior windows were deepened. Off came opaque walls. Away went the rotating restaurant in favor of a rotating (and revealing) glass floor. Transparency ruled. The relentless refrain was: “Does it serve the view?”

With 160 images, including eye-popping panoramas, the book depicts history, visions, models, construction and finished results. Brief text adds insights and incidentals. Examples: TV’s “Jetsons” possibly assigned the Needle the persona of “a midcentury cartoon.” And when navigating the new glass floors, the project architect’s two young daughters had clearly divergent reactions (!).

Naturally, the book can’t fully substitute for the actual experience. So the best place to find and purchase “New Heights” might be atop the Needle itself. “You’ll be amazed at the sights you see …”

WEB EXTRAS

Thanks to Mathilde van Tulder, Alan Maskin, Blair Payson and Cate O’Toole for their invaluable help with this installment!

To see Jean Sherrard’s 360-degree video of the “Now” prospect and compare it with the “Then” photos, and to hear this column read aloud by Clay, check out our Seattle Now & Then 360 version of the column.

No historical news clips this week, but below you will find 2 additional then/now photo comparisons. And we’ve just gotta include the full lyrics to “Hey, Look Us Over,” sung to the tune of “Hey, Look Me Over” and referenced at the beginning of this column:

Hey, look us over, come to the fair
Come to Seattle, fun is everywhere

Climb up in space, look all around
You’ll be amazed at the sights you see
You never knew that could be found

And while you’re here, take a boat ride
Out on the Sound
Find the joys of living, pleasures here abound

So get out of the habit of staying home
Take a plane, a train or bus
Come to Seattle, have a good look at us!

Plus, of many videos promoting the Space Needle and Seattle Center, click here for a choice one from 1968.