Editing Space Needle

{{Short description|Observation tower in Seattle, Washington, U.S.}}
{{About|the tower in Seattle}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox building
| name             = Space Needle
| image            = Space Needle 2011-07-04.jpg
| image_size       = 250px
| caption          = In 2011
| embedded         = {{Designation list
| embed = yes
| designation1 = Seattle Landmark
| designation1_date = April 19, 1999<ref name="Seattle list">{{cite web |title=Landmarks and Designation |publisher=City of Seattle |url=http://www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/preservation/landmarks_listing.htm |access-date=March 5, 2013 |archive-date=March 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130306003250/http://www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/preservation/landmarks_listing.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| designation1_number =
}}
| address          = 400 Broad Street<br />{{nowrap|[[Seattle|Seattle, Washington]]}}<br />98109
| coordinates      = {{Coord|47.6204|-122.3491|region:US-WA_type:landmark|name=Space Needle|display=inline,title}}
| status           = Complete
| start_date       = April 17, 1961
| completion_date  = December 8, 1961
| opening          = April 21, 1962
| building_type    = [[Observation tower]] / [[Gyro tower]]
| antenna_spire    = {{convert|184.404|m|abbr=on|order=flip}}
| top_floor        = {{convert|158|m|abbr=on|order=flip}}
| floor_count      = 6
| elevator_count   = 3
| cost             = 
| floor_area       = <!-- {{convert||sqft|abbr=on}} -->
| architecture_firm = [[John Graham & Company]]
| structural_engineer = John K. Minasian<br> [[Victor Steinbrueck]]
| main_contractor  = Howard S. Wright Construction Co.
| developer        = 
| owner            = Space Needle Corporation
| management       = 
| references       = <ref>{{ctbuh|9603}}</ref><ref name="emporis">{{Cite web |url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/119476 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708162253/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/119476 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=July 8, 2015 |title=Emporis building ID 119476 |publisher=[[Emporis]]}}</ref><ref>{{glasssteelandstone|580}}</ref><ref>{{skyscraperpage|1294}}</ref><ref>{{structurae|20000285}}</ref>
| highest_region   = [[Seattle]] and [[Washington (state)|Washington state]]
| highest_reflabel = emporis
| highest_prev     = [[Smith Tower]]
| highest_start    = 1962
| highest_end      = 1969
| highest_next     = [[Safeco Plaza]]
| website          = {{URL|https://www.spaceneedle.com/}}
}}

The '''Space Needle''' is an [[observation tower]] in [[Seattle]], Washington, United States. Considered to be an icon of the city, it has been designated a [[List of Seattle landmarks|Seattle landmark]]. Located in the [[Lower Queen Anne, Seattle|Lower Queen Anne]] neighborhood, it was built in the [[Seattle Center]] for the [[Century 21 Exposition|1962 World's Fair]], which drew over 2.3 million visitors.

At {{convert|605|ft|abbr=on}} high, the Space Needle was once the [[List of tallest structures in the United States|tallest structure]] west of the [[Mississippi River]] in the United States. The tower is {{convert|138|ft|abbr=on}} wide, weighs {{convert|9550|ST|MT|lk=on|abbr=off}}, and is built to withstand winds of up to {{cvt|200|mph}} and [[earthquake]]s of up to 9.0 magnitude, as strong as the [[1700 Cascadia earthquake]].

Elevators take visitors to an observation deck {{convert|520|ft|abbr=on}} above ground in 41 seconds, which offers panoramic views of the [[downtown Seattle]] skyline, the [[Olympic Mountains|Olympic]] and [[Cascade Mountains]], [[Mount Rainier]], [[Mount Baker]], [[Elliott Bay]], and various islands in [[Puget Sound]]. On April 19, 1999, the city's Landmarks Preservation Board designated the tower a historic landmark.

==Architecture==
[[File:Western-towers.png|thumb|left|Left to right: [[CN Tower]] (Toronto), [[Willis Tower]] (Chicago), [[The Strat|Stratosphere]] (Las Vegas), Space Needle]]
The architecture of the Space Needle is the result of a compromise between the designs of two people, Edward E. Carlson and John Graham, Jr. The two leading ideas for the World Fair involved businessman [[Edward Carlson|Edward E. Carlson]]'s sketch (on a napkin)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Carlson, Edward "Eddie" E. (1911-1990)|url=http://www.historylink.org/File/7202|access-date=2021-11-11|website=HistoryLink}}</ref> of a giant [[balloon]] tethered to the ground (the gently sloping base) and architect [[John Graham, Jr. (architect)|John Graham]]'s concept of a [[flying saucer]] (that houses the restaurant and observation deck). [[Victor Steinbrueck]] introduced the hourglass profile of the tower and its tripod design, which resembles the [[isthmus]] that Seattle is situated on.<ref>{{cite book |first=Bill |last=Speidel |title=Through the Eye of the Needle |year=1989 |location=Seattle |publisher=Nettle Creek |isbn=0914890042 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/througheyeofneed0000spei/page/6 6–7] |quote=The final design... was either John Graham's... or Victor Steinbrueck's, who took the trouble of calling me from his deathbed to make sure I didn't credit Graham. |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/througheyeofneed0000spei/page/6}}</ref><ref name="Crosscut-Podcast">{{cite podcast |last=Berger |first=Knute |author-link=Knute Berger |date=August 29, 2022 |title=Northwest Reports: Who really designed the Space Needle? |time=19:30 |url=https://crosscut.com/podcast/crosscut-reports/1/1/podcast-who-really-designed-space-needle |website=[[Crosscut.com]] |accessdate=June 13, 2024}}</ref> The Space Needle was built to withstand [[Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Scale|Category 5]]-plus wind speeds of {{cvt|200|mph}}, double the requirements in the building code of 1962, swaying only {{convert|1|inch}} per {{convert|10|mph}} of wind speed.{{cn|date=November 2023}}

While the 2001 6.8 {{M|w}} [[2001 Nisqually earthquake|Nisqually earthquake]] jolted the Needle enough for water to slosh out of the toilets in the restrooms, the structure is designed to avoid serious structural damage in earthquakes of magnitudes below 9.1.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Space Needle Facts |url=https://www.spaceneedle.com/facts-1 |access-date=2024-05-20 |website=Space Needle |language=en}}</ref>

For decades, the hovering disk of the Space Needle was home to two restaurants {{convert|500|ft|abbr=on}} above the ground: the Space Needle Restaurant, which was originally named Eye of the Needle, and Emerald Suite. These were closed in 2000 to make way for [[SkyCity]], a larger restaurant featuring Pacific Northwest cuisine, which closed in 2017. In 1993, the elevators were replaced with new computerized versions. The new elevators descend at a rate of {{cvt|10|mph}}.

On [[New Year's Eve|December 31]], 1999, a powerful beam of light was unveiled for the first time. Known as the Legacy Light or Skybeam, it is powered by lamps that total 85 million [[candela]] shining skyward from the top of the Space Needle to honor national holidays and special occasions in Seattle. The concept of this beam was derived from the [https://digitalcollections.lib.washington.edu/digital/collection/imlsmohai/id/22 official 1962 World's Fair poster,] which depicted such a light source (although none was incorporated into the building's original design). It is somewhat controversial because of the [[light pollution]] it creates.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Groundbreaking for the Space Needle is held in Seattle on April 17, 1961. |url=http://www.historylink.org/File/722|access-date=November 2, 2021 |website=HistoryLink}}</ref> Originally planned to be turned on 75 nights per year, it has generally been used fewer than a dozen times per year. It did remain lit for eleven days in a row from September 11, 2001, to September 22, 2001, in response to the [[September 11, 2001, attacks]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 4, 2013 |title=Seattle Space Needle |work=Emerald City Journal |url=https://www.emeraldcityjournal.com/2013/06/seattle-space-needle/|access-date=November 2, 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=November 2021}}

A 1962 Seattle World's Fair poster<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_p-RP8efQaTk/TECrJ8jbI0I/AAAAAAAAATE/d2T8sVz95kI/s1600/Seattle+Space+Needle.jpg |title='Seattle World's Fair' poster}}</ref> showed a grand spiral entryway leading to the [[elevator]] that was ultimately omitted from final building plans.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://durangonorthwest.blogspot.com/2010/07/seattle-space-needle.html |title=Durango Washington: Seattle Space Needle |first=Durango |last=Northwest |date=July 16, 2010}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=June 2024}} The main stairwell has 848 steps from the basement to the top of the observation deck.<ref name="Funfacts">{{cite web |date= |title=Space Needle |url=http://www.u-s-history.com|access-date= |publisher=}}</ref>
At approximately {{convert|605|ft|abbr=on}}, the Space Needle was the tallest building west of the [[Mississippi River]] at the time it was built by [[Howard S. Wright]] Construction Co., but is now dwarfed by other structures along the Seattle skyline alone, among them the [[Columbia Center]], at {{convert|967|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.emporis.com/building/columbiacenter-seattle-wa-usa |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105110850/http://www.emporis.com/building/columbiacenter-seattle-wa-usa |url-status=usurped |archive-date=November 5, 2012 |title=Columbia Center |author=Emporis GmbH}}</ref> Unlike many other similar structures, such as the [[CN Tower]] in Toronto, the Space Needle is not used for broadcasting purposes.

==History==
===Construction===
[[File:Space Needle under construction, 1961 - from southeast.jpg|thumb|Space Needle and various buildings for the [[Seattle World's Fair]] under construction, 1961]]

Edward E. Carlson, chairman of the 1962 [[World's Fair]] in Seattle, had an idea for erecting a tower with a restaurant at the World's Fair. The president of [[Western International Hotels]], he had been inspired by a recent visit to the [[Fernsehturm Stuttgart|Stuttgart Tower]] in [[Germany]].<ref name="Chicago-1983">{{cite news |last=Cross |first=Robert |date=January 13, 1983 |title=Seattle's Needle makes point: Fair city can be a better city |at=sec. 4, p. 1 |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |id={{ProQuest|170572256}}}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Groundbreaking for the Space Needle is held in Seattle on April 17, 1961. |url=http://www.historylink.org/File/722|access-date=November 2, 2021 |website=HistoryLink}}</ref> Local architect John Graham soon became involved as a result of his success in designing [[Northgate Mall (Seattle)|Northgate Mall]]. Graham's first move was to alter the restaurant's original design to a [[revolving restaurant]], similar to his previous design of the [[La Ronde (restaurant)|La Ronde]] tower restaurant at the [[Ala Moana Center]] in [[Honolulu]].{{cn|date=June 2024}} Among the names proposed for the structure by Carlson, Graham, and Steinbrueck were the "Space Needle", "Star Tickler", "Top Hat", and "Big [[Skookum]]".<ref name="Crosscut-Podcast"/>

The proposed Space Needle had no pre-selected site. Since it was not financed by the city, land had to be purchased within the fairgrounds. The investors had been unable to find suitable land and the search for a site was nearly dead when, in 1961, they discovered a lot, {{convert|120|by|120|ft|abbr=on}}, containing switching equipment for the fire and police alarm systems. The land, which originally had the neighborhood's fire station until 1921, was sold by the city for $75,000.<ref>{{cite news |last=McNerthney |first=Casey |date=August 5, 2010 |title=How a fire station led to Seattle's Space Needle |url=http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattle911/2010/08/05/how-a-fire-station-led-to-seattles-space-needle/ |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110218203835/http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattle911/2010/08/05/how-a-fire-station-led-to-seattles-space-needle/ |archive-date=February 18, 2011 |accessdate=August 12, 2022}}</ref> Geotechnical engineers quickly tested and approved the site for construction. At this point, only one year remained before the World's Fair would begin. The Needle was privately financed and built by the Pentagram Corporation, consisting of [[Bagley Wright]], contractor [[Howard S. Wright]], architect [[John Graham & Associates|John Graham]], [[Ned Skinner]], and [[Norton Clapp]]. In 1977, Bagley, Skinner, and Clapp sold their interest to the Howard Wright Company, which now controls it under the name of Space Needle Corporation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spaceneedle.com/discover/funfacts.html |title=Mysteries revealed |website=Space Needle |access-date=April 6, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426153357/http://www.spaceneedle.com/discover/funfacts.html |archive-date=April 26, 2011}}</ref>

The concrete base of the Space Needle is {{convert|30|ft|abbr=on}} deep and {{convert|120|ft|abbr=on}} across, and took 467 redi-mix trucks one full day to fill. The foundation weighs {{convert|5850|ST|MT|abbr=off}} (including {{convert|250|ST|MT|disp=or}} of reinforcing steel), the same as the above-ground structure. The tower is secured to the foundation with 72 {{convert|30|ft|abbr=on}} long bolts. 

With time an issue, the construction team worked around the clock. The domed top, housing the top five levels (including the restaurants and observation deck), was perfectly balanced so that the restaurant could rotate with the help of one tiny electric motor, originally {{convert|0.8|kW}}, later replaced with a {{convert|1.1|kW}} motor. Painted in Orbital Olive paint for the body, Astronaut White for the legs, Re-entry Red for the saucer, and Galaxy Gold for the roof, the Space Needle was finished in less than one year. It was completed in April 1962 at a cost of $4.5 million. The last elevator car was installed the day before the Fair opened on April 21. During the course of the Fair, nearly 20,000 people a day rode to the Observation Deck, culminating to a total of 2.56 million visitors.   Upon completion, the Space Needle was the tallest building west of the Mississippi River, replacing the [[Kansas City Power and Light Building]] which had held that distinction since 1931. It also replaced the [[Smith Tower]] in downtown Seattle as the tallest building on the American west coast, which it had been since 1914.

[[File:Space Needle at World's Fair, 1962.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|Completed Space Needle after the opening of the World's Fair - April 1962]]

The revolving restaurant was operated by Carlson's Western International Hotels<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.spaceneedle.com/history |title=Space Needle History |website=Space Needle}}</ref> under a 20-year contract from April 1, 1962, to April 1, 1982.{{Citation needed|date=January 2022}}

===Carillon===
An [[Electronic carillon|imitation carillon]] (using recordings of [[bell]]s, rather than live bells) was installed in the Space Needle, and played several times a day during the World's Fair.{{Citation needed|date=January 2022}} The instrument, built by the Schulmerich Bells Company of [[Hatfield, Pennsylvania]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://schulmerichbells.com/ |title=Schulmerich Bells |website=Schulmerich Bells, LLC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=http://cdm16118.contentdm.oclc.org/u?/p15015coll3,587|title="Bells on high" at the 1962 Seattle World's Fair: the Schulmerich "Carillon Americana" bells : heard from the Space Needle 538 bells the world's largest carillon|date=1962|language=en|oclc=837450790}}</ref> under the name "Carillon Americana", recreated the sounds of 538 bells and was the [[List of carillons|largest in the world]], until eclipsed by a 732 bell instrument at the [[1964 New York World's Fair]]. The operator's console was located in the base of the Space Needle, completely enclosed in glass to allow observation of the musician playing the instrument. It was also capable of being played from a roll, like a player piano. The forty-four stentors (speakers) of the carillon were located underneath the Needle's disc at the {{convert|200|ft|m|adj=on}} level and were audible over the entire fairgrounds and up to {{convert|10|mi|km|spell=in}} away.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Century 21 World|url=http://www.historylink.org/File/5396|access-date=2021-11-11|website=HistoryLink}}</ref> The carillon was disassembled after the fair's close.

The Carillon Americana was featured on a 12-track [[LP record]] called "Bells On High-Fi" (catalog number AR-8, produced by Americana Records, of [[Sellersville, Pennsylvania]]). These studio recordings were performed by noted [[carillonneur]] John Klein (1915-1981).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://historylink.org/File/9372 |title=Century 21 Exposition (1962): Theme Songs and Souvenir Records |website=HistoryLink}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YDGEuUshkc | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211117/0YDGEuUshkc| archive-date=2021-11-17 | url-status=live|title=The Space Needle Carillon – Malaguena |last=rixarcade |date=August 15, 2013 |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===After the Fair===
A radio [[recording studio|broadcast studio]] was built on the observation level of the Space Needle in 1963.<ref>{{cite news |date=July 14, 1963 |title=Fowler Nests in Needle's Studio for Morning Show |page=TV4 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> It was used for morning broadcasts by [[KPTR (AM)#KING|Radio KING]] and its sister TV station [[KING-TV]] from July 1963 to May 1966, and [[KIRO (AM)|KIRO Radio]] from 1966 to 1974.<ref>{{cite news |last=Banel |first=Feliks |date=April 17, 2019 |title=Frosty Fowler: Late local DJ stayed cool while Space Needle shook |url=https://mynorthwest.com/1349937/frosty-fowler-space-needle-earthquake/ |work=MyNorthwest.com |access-date=December 18, 2019}}</ref> Disc jockey Bobby Wooten of country music station [[KKNW|KAYO-AM]] lived in an apartment built adjacent to the Space Needle's broadcast studio for six months in 1974, which required a permit variance from the city government.<ref>{{cite news |date=August 29, 1974 |title=High living atop Space Needle OK |page=E15 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Stredicke |first=Victor |date=October 27, 1974 |title=High living for KAYO disk jockey |page=TV26 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref>

On March 27, 1964, the restaurant atop the Space Needle stopped rotating as a result of the [[1964 Alaska earthquake|9.2 earthquake in Alaska]].<ref>Lew Freedman, Bad Friday, p.124.</ref>

In 1974, author [[Stephen Cosgrove (writer)|Stephen Cosgrove's]] children's book ''Wheedle on the Needle'' imagined a furry creature called the [[Wheedle]] who lived on top of the Space Needle and caused its light to flash. Its closing quatrain is: ''There's a Wheedle on the Needle&nbsp;/ I know just what you're thinking&nbsp;/ But if you look up late at night&nbsp;/ You'll see his red nose blinking.'' The Wheedle has since become a fixture of Seattle. It became the mascot of the [[Seattle SuperSonics]] National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise, which played in nearby [[Climate Pledge Arena|KeyArena]] (now Climate Pledge Arena). The [[Seattle SuperSonics relocation to Oklahoma City|SuperSonics moved]] to [[Oklahoma City]] on July 3, 2008.

In 1982, the SkyLine level was added at the height of {{convert|100|ft|abbr=on}}. Although it was part of the original plans for the Space Needle, it was not built until that time. Today, the SkyLine Banquet Facility can accommodate groups of 20–360 people.

On April 19, 1999, the Space Needle was designated as a city historic landmark by the [[Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board]] 37 years after it opened. It was the youngest historic landmark in the city.<ref>{{cite news |last=Brown |first=Charles E. |date=April 17, 1999 |title=Space Needle will be city's youngest historic landmark |page=A1 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> Renovations were completed in 2000 at a cost ($21 million) approximately the same in inflated dollars as the original construction price. Renovations between 1999 and 2000 included the SkyCity restaurant, SpaceBase retail store, Skybeam installation, Observation Deck overhaul, lighting additions, and repainting.

On [[New Year's Eve]], the Space Needle hosts a fireworks show at midnight; [[Alberto Navarro]], a fireworks artist from Bellevue, is the lead architect of the show, which is viewed by thousands from the Seattle Center grounds, and televised by [[KING-TV]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Cook |first=John |date=July 3, 2003 |title=A moment with ... Alberto Navarro, fireworks designer |url=https://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/A-moment-with-Alberto-Navarro-fireworks-1118591.php |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |access-date=January 1, 2020}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Kirschman |first=Lindsey |date=2021-12-15 |title=Space Needle fireworks return, but no crowds permitted |url=https://www.seattlepi.com/local/seattleentertainment/article/no-events-at-the-space-needle-this-year-years-eve-16703572.php |access-date=2021-12-19 |website=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]] |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2000, public celebrations were canceled because of perceived terror threats against the structure after investigations into the foiled [[2000 millennium attack plots#LAX bombing plot|millennium bombing plots]], but the fireworks show was still held.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Egan|first=Timothy|date=1999-12-29|title=Citing Security, Seattle Cancels a New Year's Eve Party|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/12/29/us/citing-security-seattle-cancels-a-new-year-s-eve-party.html|access-date=2021-11-11|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Tizon |first=Alex |date=January 1, 2000 |title=Caution takes air out of Seattle celebration |page=A1 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> The 2020 fireworks display was canceled and replaced by a light show due to high winds,<ref>{{cite news |date=January 1, 2020 |title=No Space Needle fireworks on New Year's Eve, or next night: Blame the wind |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/2020-arrives-in-seattle-with-a-space-needle-laser-show-as-fireworks-are-delayed-at-least-awhile/ |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=January 1, 2020}}</ref> while the 2021 display was canceled and replaced by a broadcast-only [[augmented reality]] show due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Washington (state)|COVID-19 pandemic]]. The fireworks display returned for 2022, but the Seattle Center grounds were closed to the public due to state [[Vaccine passports during the COVID-19 pandemic|proof of vaccination]] rules, and the television broadcast included augmented reality effects.<ref name=":0" />

In 2002, a real estate consultant in [[Bellevue, Washington|Bellevue]] proposed the construction of five smaller replicas of the Space Needle around the city to promote tourism, though official plans to build the proposed structures have not yet materialized.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lindblom |first=Mike |date=April 11, 2002 |title=Needle envy? Bellevue eyes five towers |work=The Seattle Times |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=20020411&slug=spires11m|access-date=December 31, 2019}}</ref>

On May 19, 2007, the Space Needle welcomed its 45 millionth visitor, Greg Novoa from California, who received a free trip for two to [[Paris]].<ref>{{cite news |author=P-I Staff and News Services |title=Californian is Needle's 45 millionth visitor |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/local/316473_needle20.html |newspaper=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date=May 19, 2007|access-date=May 30, 2007}}</ref>

In May 2008, the Space Needle received its first professional deep cleaning since the opening of the 1962 World's Fair. The monument was pressure washed by [[Kärcher]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Space Needle - Seattle, USA |url=https://www.kaercher.com/us/inside-karcher/company/sponsoring/cultural-sponsorship/space-needle.html|website=Kärcher}}</ref> with water at a [[pressure]] of almost {{convert|2611|psi|abbr=on}} and a temperature of approximately {{convert|194|F}}. The cleaning was only done at night so that the Space Needle could stay open to the public. No detergents were used in consideration of the Seattle Center and the nearby [[Museum of Pop Culture|Experience Music Project]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://komonews.com/news/local/spit-and-polish-for-a-seattle-icon |title=Spit and polish for a Seattle icon |publisher=KOMO News |date=May 15, 2008|access-date=July 21, 2016}}</ref>

===50th anniversary and renovation===
[[File:Aerial Space Needle Painted Gold May 2012.JPG|thumb|Space Needle painted in "Galaxy Gold" for its 50th anniversary.]]
As part of the celebration of its 50th anniversary in April 2012, the roof of the Needle was painted "Galaxy Gold", which is more of an orangish color in practice. This is the same color used when the needle was originally constructed for the 1962 World's Fair.<ref>
{{cite news |last=Trujillo |first=Joshua |title=Space Needle returns to its original color |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Space-Needle-returns-to-its-original-color-3489587.php |newspaper=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date=April 17, 2012|access-date=August 19, 2015}}</ref> This temporary makeover, intended to last through the summer, is not the Needle's first: it had the [[University of Washington]] (UW) [[Washington Huskies football|Huskies football team]] logo painted after the team won the [[1992 Rose Bowl]]; when the game show ''[[Wheel of Fortune (American game show)|Wheel of Fortune]]'' taped episodes in Seattle in 1995, it was painted to resemble the titular wheel as part of an intro sequence with [[Vanna White]];<ref>{{Cite news |last=Taylor |first=Chuck |date=September 20, 1995 |title='Wheel Of Fortune' has Seattle in a spin |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19950920&slug=2142548 |work=The Seattle Times|access-date=November 6, 2021}}</ref> it was painted crimson after Washington State won the [[Apple Cup]];<ref>{{cite news |title=Space Needle painted crimson and gray |url=https://news.wsu.edu/2005/11/15/space-needle-painted-crimson-and-gray/#.VdT9yfQwJko |publisher=Washington State University |date=November 15, 2005|access-date=August 19, 2015}}</ref> was painted red, white, and blue for Memorial Day in 2003; and has been seen with the [[Seattle SuperSonics]] and [[Seattle Mariners]] colors and logos.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Space Needle Fact Sheet |url=https://www.spaceneedle.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Fact-Sheet-History.pdf |publisher=Space Needle}}</ref> The Galaxy Gold paint scheme returned for the Space Needle's 60th anniversary in May 2022 and was replaced a year later at a cost of $60,000 to $70,000.<ref>{{cite news |last=Girgis |first=Lauren |date=May 16, 2023 |title=Move aside, Godzilla: Seattle mascots scale Space Needle for paint job |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/puget-sound/move-aside-godzilla-seattle-mascots-scale-space-needle-for-paint-job/ |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=May 16, 2023}}</ref>

[[File:Scaffold on Space Needle during 2017 renovation 06.jpg|thumb|Scaffold surrounding top section during 2017–2018 renovation]]

A renovation of the top of the Space Needle began in the summer of 2017, to add an all-glass floor to the restaurant, replace the observation platform windows with floor-to-ceiling glass panels to more closely match the 1962 original concept sketches, as well as upgrade and update the internal systems.  Called the Century Project, the work was scheduled to finish by June 2018, at a cost of $100 million in private funds provided by the Wright family, who own the Space Needle.<ref name="Greenstone2017" /> The designer is [[Olson Kundig Architects]] and the general contractor is [[Hoffman Construction Company]]. The rotating restaurant's motor was replaced, the elevator capacity was increased by adding elevators or double-stacking them, and the energy efficiency of the building was improved with the aim of achieving [[Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design|LEED Gold Certification]]. The temporary scaffold's {{convert|28000|lb|adj=on}}, {{convert|44650|sqft|adj=on}} platform under the top structure was assembled on the ground and then lifted by cables {{cvt|500|ft}} from the ground to the underside of the structure, controlled by 12 operators standing on the platform as it was raised. The platform was made by [[Safway Services]], a company specializing in unique construction scaffolding. One-sixth of the observation deck was closed at a time so that the Space Needle was never completely shut down to the public.<ref name=Greenstone2017/><ref name=Young2017/><ref>{{cite web |title=Space Needle - About the Renovation |url=https://www.spaceneedle.com/renovation |website=spaceneedle.com}}</ref><ref name=Schlosser2017/><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/work-crews-revamping-space-needle-like-building-a-ship-inside-a-glass-bottle/ |title=Photos: Revamping Space Needle is like 'building a ship inside a glass bottle' |date=November 7, 2017 |work=The Seattle Times|access-date=November 12, 2017 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="smithsmag">{{Cite web |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/seattles-iconic-building-unveils-new-look-after-100-million-renovation-180969131/ |title=Seattle's Iconic Space Needle Unveils New Look After $100 Million Renovation |last=Treviño |first=Julissa |date=May 24, 2018 |website=smithsonianmag.com}}</ref>{{citation overkill|date=November 2023}}

The space reopened in August 2018 as the Loupe, an indoor observation deck with a revolving glass floor. It takes 45 minutes for the observation deck to do a full rotation. Two sets of stairs called the Oculus Stairs were added to connect the two new levels. They were named after the glass oculus at the base of the stairs where the Space Needle elevators can be seen ascending and descending. A café, wine bar, more restrooms, and an additional accessibility elevator to the top observation deck were also added.<ref name="OHare2018">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=Space Needle - New Experiences Fact Sheet |url=https://www.spaceneedle.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Fact-Sheet-New-Experiences.pdf|website=}}</ref> The three elevators are scheduled to be replaced with new units from [[Otis Worldwide|Otis]]—including two [[Double-deck elevator|double-deck]] elevators for passengers—during the offseason between September 2023 and May 2025. For the first several months of construction, a temporary enclosure was added above the roof.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 26, 2023 |title=Space Needle to get a temporary tiny crown |url=https://www.djc.com/news/co/12160110.html |work=Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce |accessdate=October 27, 2023}}</ref>

==Jumping incidents==
Six parachutists have leaped from the tower since its opening, in a sport known as [[BASE jumping]]. This activity is legal only with prior authorization. Four of them were part of an authorized promotion in 1996, and one of the jumpers broke a bone in her back while attempting the stunt.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/US/9611/21/parachutist/ |title=Parachutist's jump from Space Needle goes awry |date=November 21, 1996 |publisher=CNN}}</ref> The other two jumped illegally and were arrested.<ref>{{Cite news |title=This week in history: People BASE jumped off the Space Needle |newspaper=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date=November 20, 2018 |url=https://www.seattlepi.com/local/seattle-history/article/History-Seattle-Space-Needle-BASE-Jumping-jump-13405760.php |last1=Millman |first1=By Zosha }}</ref>

Paul D. Baker was the first person to jump from the Space Needle, committing suicide on March 4, 1974.<ref name="oregonian">{{cite news |title=Woman falls to death from Space Needle |newspaper=[[The Sunday Oregonian]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=May 26, 1974 |location=Portland, Oregon |page=49}}</ref> Mary Lucille Wolf also jumped from the tower that year, on May 25.<ref name="oregonian"/> Following the two 1974 suicides, netting beneath and improved fencing around the observation deck were installed.<ref>{{cite news |title=Seattle Space Needle was the site of premature birth |work=The Oregonian |agency=Associated Press |date=June 12, 1974 |location=Portland, Oregon |page=92}}</ref> In spite of the barrier additions, however, another suicide by Dixie Reeder occurred on July 5, 1978.<ref>{{cite news |title=3rd Person Kills Self at Needle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25912722/albany_democratherald/|access-date=August 12, 2019 |newspaper=[[Albany Democrat-Herald]] |date=July 6, 1978 |location=Albany, Oregon |page=12}}</ref>

==Appearances in TV and film==
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As a symbol of the Pacific Northwest, the Space Needle has made numerous appearances in films, TV shows, and other works of fiction. The Space Needle is often used in [[establishing shot]]s as an economical means of indicating the setting is Seattle.  Examples include the TV shows ''[[Frasier]]'', ''[[Grey's Anatomy]]'', ''[[Dark Angel (2000 TV series)|Dark Angel]]'', ''[[Bill Nye the Science Guy]]'', <!-- DON'T ADD TO THIS LIST WITHOUT GIVING A SIGNIFICANT REASON --> and films ''[[It Happened at the World's Fair]]'' (1962), ''[[The Parallax View]]'' (1974), where it was used as a filming location, ''[[Sleepless in Seattle]]'' (1993), and ''[[Chronicle (film)|Chronicle]]'' (2012).<ref>
* {{Cite web |last=|first= |date=April 21, 2016 |title=The 5 Most Famous Seattle Landmarks from TV Shows & Movies |url=http://seattlerefined.com/lifestyle/the-5-most-famous-seattle-landmarks-from-tv-shows-movies|access-date=July 9, 2020 |website=seattlerefined.com}}
* {{cite web |title=Storms |website=[[IMDb]] |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1901515/|access-date=July 9, 2020}}
* {{cite news |first=Kay |last=McFadden |title=Condo by condo, Seattle has become a lot like 'Frasier' |date=May 13, 2004 |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20040513/frasier13/condo-by-condo-seattle-has-become-a-lot-like-frasier |newspaper=[[The Seattle Times]] |access-date = January 23, 2010}}
* {{Cite web |title=Century 21: Seattle |url=https://www.historylink.org/File/9363 |access-date=July 9, 2020 |website=www.historylink.org}}
* {{Cite web |title='GMA's On Location Vacation: Visit the Top Spots Seen in 'Sleepless in Seattle' |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/gmas-location-vacation-visit-top-spots-sleepless-seattle/story?id=33521683 |access-date=July 9, 2020 |website=ABC News |language=en}}
* {{Cite web |date=February 2, 2012 |title='Chronicle' is absurd, but Space Needle has starring role |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/movies/chronicle-is-absurd-but-space-needle-has-starring-role/|access-date=July 9, 2020 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}}</ref> The 1999 film ''[[Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me]]'' made an absurdist visual gag conflating another icon of Seattle, [[Starbucks]], with the tower, showing the coffee chain's name written across the Space Needle's saucer placing the villain [[Doctor Evil]]'s base of operations there after his henchman Number 2 shifted the organization's resources toward the coffee company.<ref name="Packer2009">{{cite book |author=Jeremy Packer |title=Secret Agents: Popular Icons Beyond James Bond |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5BxRm5cnUU8C&pg=PA65 |year=2009 |publisher=Peter Lang |isbn=978-0-8204-8669-7 |pages=65}}</ref><ref name="Zimmerman2012">{{cite book |author=Steve Zimmerman |title=Food in the Movies, 2d ed. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cZkcG-ftcaAC&pg=PA121 |date=2012 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-5569-0 |pages=121}}</ref><ref name="Fellner2008">{{cite book |author=Kim Fellner |title=Wrestling with Starbucks: Conscience, Capital, Cappuccino |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vzZxamsJNPMC&pg=PA2 |date=2008 |publisher=Rutgers University Press |isbn=978-0-8135-4506-6 |pages=2}}</ref> As a visual symbol of Seattle, the Space Needle has been incorporated into the logos of [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] (in various logos for the [[Seattle SuperSonics]] from 1967 to 2001), [[Women's National Basketball Association|WNBA]], [[Major League Soccer|MLS]], and [[National Hockey League|NHL]] professional sports teams.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NBA.com: Going Retro: Seattle SuperSonics |url=http://archive.nba.com/history/uniforms_sonics.html|access-date=July 9, 2020 |website=archive.nba.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 10, 2016 |title=Seattle Storm change colors |url=http://www.king5.com/story/sports/wnba/storm/2016/01/08/seattle-storm-change-colors/78524220/|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160110213521/http://www.king5.com/story/sports/wnba/storm/2016/01/08/seattle-storm-change-colors/78524220/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 10, 2016 |access-date=July 9, 2020}}</ref>

The Space Needle has been involved in [[practical joke]]s, especially those on [[April Fools' Day]]. In 1989, [[KING-TV]]'s ''[[Almost Live!]]'' reported that the Space Needle had collapsed, causing panicked people to call emergency services and forcing the station to apologize afterwards;<ref>{{cite news |date=April 3, 1989 |title=KING-TV on Space Needle hoax: Sorry, folks |page=A8 |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer}}</ref> the incident was compared to the [[The War of the Worlds (1938 radio drama)|1938 radio broadcast]] of ''[[The War of the Worlds]]'', which caused panic among some listeners.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dougherty |first=Phil |date=September 26, 2017 |title=KING-TV reports Space Needle collapse on April 1, 1989. |url=https://www.historylink.org/File/20446 |website=HistoryLink |access-date=April 1, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Clutter |first=Stephen |date=April 2, 1989 |title=Too deep a needling? |page=B4 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> On April 1, 2015, public radio station [[KNKX|KPLU]] reported that a [[hoax]] sign had been erected by a group calling itself the "[[Borg]] Collective", depicting a fake proposed land use action "to construct a 666 unit cube to assimilate" the landmark.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wissel |first1=Paula |last2=Stokes |first2=Kyle |title=Proposed Development To 'Assimilate' Seattle's Landmark Space Needle? |url=https://www.knkx.org/other-news/2015-04-01/proposed-development-to-assimilate-seattles-landmark-space-needle |access-date=November 30, 2024 |work=KPLU |date=April 1, 2015 |language=en}}</ref>

Other TV appearances include [[History (U.S. TV network)|The History Channel]]'s ''[[Life After People]]'', in which the tower collapses after 200 years because of [[corrosion]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Waters of Death |website=[[IMDb]] |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1462252/|access-date=July 9, 2020}}</ref> The tower was also destroyed in the TV miniseries ''[[10.5 (TV miniseries)|10.5]]'' when a 7.9 earthquake hits Seattle.<ref>{{cite web |title=10.5 |website=[[IMDb]] |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0364146/|access-date=July 9, 2020}}</ref> The miniseries mistakenly portrays the Needle as crumbling concrete, though the structure is actually made of steel and designed to withstand up to a 9.0 earthquake.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}} The Space Needle was also the site of the first task for the finale of ''[[The Amazing Race 35]]'', where contestants had to walk atop its roof.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/2023/12/amazing-race-35-finale-winners/|title=Amazing Race 35's winners won after a Seattle scramble—and an amazing season|work=reality blurred|author=Andy Dehnart|author-link=Andy Dehnart|date=December 14, 2023|access-date=December 14, 2023}}</ref>
<!-- PLEASE DO NOT TACK ON MORE EXAMPLES UNLESS YOU CAN SAY WHY IT IS A SIGNIFICANT, MEANINGFUL, INFLUENTIAL INSTANCE -->

The Space Needle features in the [[HBO]] series ''[[The Last of Us (TV series)|The Last of Us]]'' as a watchtower in a post-apocalyptic version of Seattle, a major setting of the second season. It played a similar role in the video game ''[[The Last of Us Part II]]'', which serves as source material for the TV series.

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="190">
File:SpaceNeedleTopClose.jpg|Observation and restaurant floors in 2007
File:Seattlecenterspaceneedle.jpg|View from the base of the Needle
File:Seattlenighttimequeenanne.jpg|Nighttime illumination
File:Aerial Downtown Seattle November 2011.jpg|Location relative to downtown Seattle
File:Seattle from Space Needle.jpg|View of downtown from the observation deck
File:Space Needle seen from Wenatchee Ferry on Puget Sound.jpg|Space Needle seen from the ferry ''Wenatchee'' on Puget Sound
File:Movie at the Mural, Underneath the Space Needle.jpg|Movie at the Mural underneath the Space Needle
File:Lake Union From Space Needle (2).jpg|A view of Seattle from the Space Needle
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[Näsinneula]], a similar-look tower in [[Tampere]], [[Finland]]
* [[Sydney Tower]], a similar-look tower in Sydney, Australia
* [[Skylon Tower]], a similar-look tower in [[Niagara Falls, Ontario]]
* [[List of tallest buildings in Seattle]]
* [[List of towers]]

==References==
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name=Greenstone2017>{{cite news |title=Space Needle to get its biggest renovation ever: glass floor, opened views, more elevators |date=June 12, 2017 |first=Scott |last=Greenstone |newspaper=The Seattle Times |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/northwest/space-needle-to-get-its-biggest-renovation-ever-glass-floor-opened-views-more-elevators/}}</ref>

<ref name=Young2017>{{cite news |title=Circular scaffolding goes up on Space Needle in preparation for makeover |date=September 16, 2017 |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/circular-scaffolding-goes-up-on-space-needle-in-preparation-for-makeover/ |first=Bob |last=Young |newspaper=The Seattle Times}}</ref>

<ref name=Schlosser2017>{{cite news |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2017/drone-video-shows-28000-pound-scaffold-lifted-400-feet-space-needle-renovation/ |website=[[Geekwire]] |title=Drone video shows 28,000-pound scaffold being lifted 400 feet for Space Needle renovation |first=Kurt |last=Schlosser |date=September 19, 2017}}</ref>

}}

==Further reading==
*[http://www.washington.edu/news/2013/10/16/lost-and-found-films-building-the-space-needle-1961/ Lost and Found Films: Building the Space Needle, 1961]
* {{cite book |title=Space Needle: The Spirit of Seattle |author=Knute Berger |isbn=978-1933245263 |year=2012 |publisher=Documentary Media}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Space Needle}}
* {{Official website}}
* [http://content.lib.washington.edu/cdm4/results.php?CISOOP1=all&CISOFIELD1=CISOSEARCHALL&CISORESTMP=%2Fcdm4%2Fresults.php&CISOVIEWTMP=%2Fcdm4%2Fitem_viewer.php&CISOMODE=grid&CISOGRID=thumbnail%2CA%2C1%3Btitle%2CA%2C1%3Bsubjec%2CA%2C1%3Borigia%2C200%2C0%3Bnone%2CA%2C0%3B20%3Btitle%2Cnone%2Cnone%2Cnone%2Cnone&CISOBIB=title%2CA%2C1%2CN%3Bcreato%2CA%2C0%2CN%3Borigia%2C200%2C0%2CN%3Bnone%2CA%2C0%2CN%3Bnone%2CA%2C0%2CN%3B20%3Btitle%2Cnone%2Cnone%2Cnone%2Cnone&CISOTHUMB=20+%284x5%29%3Btitle%2Cnone%2Cnone%2Cnone%2Cnone&CISOTITLE=20%3Btitle%2Cnone%2Cnone%2Cnone%2Cnone&CISOHIERA=20%3Bcreato%2Ctitle%2Cnone%2Cnone%2Cnone&CISOSUPPRESS=1&CISOBOX1=century+21+exposition&CISOROOT=%2Fac&x=0&y=0 Century 21 Exposition design plans for the 1962 Seattle World's Fair] – Architecture of the Pacific Northwest Database from the University of Washington
* [http://www.hswcc.com/Pages/Space_Needle.aspx Entry at site of Howard S. Wright Construction Co.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203135722/http://www.hswcc.com/Pages/Space_Needle.aspx |date=December 3, 2008 }}
* Video of scaffold platform lifted 500 feet at night: {{cite web|url=https://www.spaceneedle.com/centuryproject-liftoff/|title=Space Needle Construction Kicks-off with Hoist of 28,000 Pound Scaffold Platform [press release]|date=September 19, 2017|publisher=Space Needle Corporation}}

{{Seattle Center}}
{{Seattle skyscrapers}}
{{Buildings in Seattle and Washington timeline}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Towers completed in 1961]]
[[Category:Googie architecture]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Seattle]]
[[Category:Towers with revolving restaurants]]
[[Category:Landmarks in Seattle]]
[[Category:Seattle Center]]
[[Category:Observation towers in the United States]]
[[Category:Towers in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Seattle]]
[[Category:World's fair architecture in Seattle]]
[[Category:Century 21 Exposition]]
[[Category:Symbols of Washington (state)]]
[[Category:1961 establishments in Washington (state)]]