Seattle has got a pretty darn solid variety of architectural masterpieces. There’s old, there’s new, there’s understated and there’s over the top. Looking for a new place to take your next outfit pic for Instagram? We’re here to help.
Here are 10 amazing buildings in Seattle.
Seattle Central Library
Described as the most important new library to be built in a generation, this library is a testament to flipping the traditional idea of a space on its head. A postmodern celebration of steel and glass, the library is both visually impressive and inviting. Heck, you could even check out a book while you’re here too.
Where: 1000 4th Avenue
Suzzallo Library
On the other end of the spectrum lies Suzzallo at the UW campus. Done in a collegiate gothic style, the library is reminiscent of the great halls at ancient colleges around the world. Or Harry Potter, whatever you see.
Where: 4000 15th Avenue NE
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Pacific Science Center
It’s the arches at the pavilion that really take the cake here. Created for the 1962 World’s Fair, the Center embraces a futuristic design that is still contemporary decades later. Probably because it was designed by Minoru Yamasaki, the architect behind the World Trade Center.
Where: 200 2nd Avenue N
Rainier Tower
Another building designed by Yamasaki (nice). We like it because the base is a sort of mash-up between modernist and brutalist design. A massive slab of concrete that resembles an upside down pyramid? Now that’s the good stuff.
Where: 1301 5th Avenue
Space Needle
Another building that has curves! Cool. We’re just messing around. The Space Needle is Seattle’s most iconic landmark for good reason. Now, the real trick is finding an angle of it that hasn’t been done to death.
Where: 400 Broad Street
Museum of Pop Culture
A Frank Gehry designed masterpiece. Although critical reception has been mixed, we think it’s a fitting psychedelic space for the biggest collection of Jimi Hendrix memorabilia in the world. We never went to architecture school though.
Where: 325 5th Avenue N
Nordic Museum
It’s only fair that a museum about some of the best countries in the world for design looks good. Outside, you have a facade with a monolithic quality to it, featuring a massive zinc wall. Inside, a manmade fjord is evoked, with bridges crossing it throughout the museum.
Where: 2655 NW Market Street
Amazon Spheres
These three spheres were built to change the approach to a traditional office space. While the large majority of the inside is not open to the public, we have to admit, giant bubbles in downtown Seattle are pretty cool. Buckminster Fuller would be proud.
Where: 2111 7th Avenue
Edith Macefield House
Hell yeah, it’s a tiny house that looks like it’s straight out of Up! This 1909 farmhouse drew headlines when the previous owner, Edith, turned down a cool million offered to her by developers. Somebody needs to come along and make a tiny museum out of it.
Where: 1438 NW 46th Street
And there you have it! Our favorite buildings in Seattle when it comes to architecture. Stay tuned for when we explore the historical buildings as well.JTNDZGl2JTIwaWQlM0QlMjJtb2JpbGUtYWQtb25seSUyMiUzRSUwQSUzQyUyMS0tJTIwU2VhdHRsZSUyMC0lMjBNb2JpbGUlMjAtLSUzRSUwQSUzQ2lucyUyMGNsYXNzJTNEJTIyYWRzYnlnb29nbGUlMjIlMEElMjAlMjAlMjAlMjAlMjBzdHlsZSUzRCUyMmRpc3BsYXklM0FibG9jayUzQndpZHRoJTNBMzIwcHglM0JoZWlnaHQlM0E1MHB4JTNCJTIyJTBBJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwZGF0YS1hZC1jbGllbnQlM0QlMjJjYS1wdWItNTUyMTg1Njk1NTQ5NzQ1NiUyMiUwQSUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMGRhdGEtYWQtc2xvdCUzRCUyMjE2MjcxNzI5NDclMjIlM0UlM0MlMkZpbnMlM0UlMEElM0MlMkZkaXYlM0U=
