Landmark Study Assesses Historic Value of Seattle Center Sites

Seattle Center has prepared a report, Seattle Center Historic Landmark Study, to brief the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board at its regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, May 1. The Study assesses buildings, structures and sites on the Seattle Center grounds. Many of the spaces included in the study are legacies of the 1962 Seattle World's Fair; and now at 50 years of age, have been assessed for their historic value.

Seattle Center commissioned Artifacts Consulting, Inc. and HistoryLink.org to survey 20 buildings, structures and outdoor spaces including many popular Seattle Center destinations. The Northwest Rooms, KeyArena, The Playhouse, and Exhibition Hall/Phelps Center are some of the key sites included in the report. All of the surveyed areas are on City property.

The Study assesses spaces according to various qualities. It calls out two clusters of spaces, in particular, named in the report for prominent Seattle architects, Paul Thiry and Paul. H. Kirk, who designed the structures for the 1962 World's Fair.

The Seattle Center Historic Landmark Study lays the groundwork for pursuing potential Landmark nominations. Possible locations for redevelopment among buildings assessed in the report include the upper Northwest Rooms, upon successful completion of capital fundraising at KEXP 90.3 FM, which has a lease option for the space, and the International Fountain Pavilion.

For more information on the Seattle Center Historic Landmark Study and to read the full report, visit www.SeattleCenter.com or contact Seattle Center at 206 684-7200. For information on landmark designation in Seattle, click on: www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/preservation/landmarks.htm.