There are many reasons that the Smith Tower, Seattle has achieved its fame throughout the years. Some come to visit the Chinese Room, which offers a fabulous display of Chinese interior design. Others consider it a romantic Seattle wedding reception location. Still others are impressed with its history.
Located in Pioneer Square, the Smith Tower Seattle was built in 1910 by the typewriter and firearms magnate, Lyman C. Smith. All Smith wanted to do was build a simple, 14 story building. However, his son convinced him that Seattle needed a huge, impressive skyscraper. He argued that since Smith produced office equipment, the office building should be impressive. Smith then contacted Seattle's political elite. He told them of his plans to build this impressive edifice, but he added one stipulation: Seattle's municipal government offices needed to be located within four blocks of his tower. The City Council was amenable to his request. As a result, the magnificent Smith Tower, Seattle was built. At the time, it was hailed as one of the world's tallest buildings. On July 3rd, 1914, 4,000 people visited this new Seattle attraction. They rode to the 35th floor, and gaped in awe of the city below them.
Today, since it is an excellent example of neo-classical architecture, the Smith Tower, Seattle is still one of the major Seattle tourist attractions for students of architecture. Its outer skin is composed of granite on the first and second floors. The rest of floors are composed of terra cotta. The elevators of the Smith Tower, Seattle has brass surfaces. The doors are latticed, which allows riders to see into the hallways on each floor. The Smith Tower is also one of the few places that actually have live elevator operators. A few years ago, some of the “Lost Boys of the Sudan” were hired for these positions.
The Chinese Room is located on the 35th floor of the Smith Tower, Seattle. This Seattle attraction has furniture and a hand carved teakwood ceiling and porcelain-tiled walls that were gifts from the Empress of China. Lyman C. The wall panels use Chinese characters to tell the story of the history of Washington, Alaska and Seattle. Smith was an aficionado of Chinese art and culture. He therefore insisted on using authentic Chinese materials in the design of the Chinese Room. From the elegant room you can get a spectacular 360-degree view of Mt. Rainier, Puget Sound, as well as the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges. In the evening, the huge windows in the Chinese Room at the Smith Tower Seattle provide a wonderful view of the Seattle city lights.
Be sure to take a look at the famous Wishing Chair. Legend has it that a single woman who sits in the chair will marry within a year. Happily, this legend came true for Smith's daughter. She married in the Chinese Room itself. Since then, the Chinese Room has been a very popular Seattle wedding reception location, as well as a frequently visited Seattle attraction. The Chinese Room has a capacity of 90 guests. If you are looking for a Seattle wedding reception location, the Chinese Room is an excellent choice!
