Friday, September 25, 2009

Smith Tower in Autumn

Smith Tower

Photo & Text Copyright 2009 Seattle Daily Photo. All rights reserved, including reproduction or republishing.

A beautiful, crisp autumn day view of Smith Tower, the city's oldest sky scraper. From 1914 for nearly 50 years this was the tallest building west of the Mississippi. The three story vaulted pyramid unit at the top, dubbed "The Lighthouse" once housed the building's water tower but was converted ten or fifteen years ago into an amazing living space which has been featured in several magazines (check out some photos here). At its center hangs a giant glass sculpture by Dale Chihuly, a friend of this unique condominium's owner. The Chinese Room and the 360 degree public observation deck sits just below and is a popular place for wedding receptions and to take in city and Sound views. The 12 floors below that had been office space but I heard last year that they are being developed into condos, each occupying an entire floor. The remaining 24 or so floors below those will remain office space, I believe. Maya, our photobug friend from Maya Photography: A Day in the Life, worked in Smith Tower for many years, and you might find some great interior shots in her archives. Would you believe each of those double hung windows really opens! Some of my favorite features are the cool elevators manned by operators and the vintage patterned white and blue tile floors upon which the floor numbers are noted and you see them as you ascend and descend. Hope you enjoy this photo of another Seattle icon. To see other autumn skies, check out Skywatch Friday.

18 comments:

E said...

Wow, I love what you did to this image! It is beautiful and looks like a really nice area too :)

Mary said...

A neat looking place. I would love to see the Chihuly piece. I've seen his stuff in Tacoma...wonderful!

Qanths said...

Great picture! I love what you did to those tree branches poking in.

Harry Simitian - http://picturesatwork.blogspot.com/

Kim said...

E, thanks very much. It was just SO postcardy an image, I just had to do something to mess it up :-).

Mary, Thanks for popping in. Hope you clicked on the link to see the interior of the Lighthouse condo, as it shows the wonderful blue Chihuly piece.

Kim said...

Thanks Harry.

Kevin said...

Thanks for the info on this great looking building. I need one of the upper floor condos!

The trees look really cool.

jerrypuke said...

absolutely loved it. I wonder if i can reblog it. thanks!

Lorac said...

Very interesting photo and building. Followed the link to the water tower. Pretty cool!

brattcat said...

I, too, love the way you tweaked the trees but left everything else pure. Really draws you in, makes you stop and look. I also loved following the link to the Lighthouse and getting a look inside that amazing space.

eileeninmd said...

Wonderfully composed! Thanks for sharing your skywatch photo definitely one of my favorites.

Chuck Pefley said...

Nice angle looking down hill, Kim. That's one of my favorite buildings, yet I don't photograph it often. Still have yet to visit the observation deck, too, even after close to 40 years in Seattle. Guess I'd better get out more -:)

Virginia said...

Oh what a gorgeous shot. The "extra added effect" makes it fun but it's a great shot regardless. What a beautiful city you call home, Kim.
V

Pat said...

I too like the tweaked trees. I've been up the Tower and adore the elevator...

Unknown said...

Nice looking building. I'm surprised it's nearly a century old.

Kim said...

Thanks very much to each of you! I appreciate your stopping in to comment!

Jerry. . .sorry, reblogging/republishing isn't something that I want happening, but thanks for liking the image that much. I'm very flattered.

Melusine said...

Wonderful picture!
I like the editing at the trees, looks very nice :)

Kim said...

Thanks Melusine! I usually hate special effects and rarely do stuff like this, but I had a bit of time and the photo was just so bland I wanted to do something to draw the eyes a little without being too weird.
-Kim

Maya said...

*sigh* I miss it.