About Smith Tower
The Smith Tower in Seattle is considered the city's oldest skyscraper and is an outstanding example of neoclassical architecture. Completed in 1914, the 42-story building was the tallest freestanding structure on the U.S. West Coast until the Space Needle was built in 1962. It is named after its builder, Lyman Cornelius Smith, who originally planned a smaller project, but his son Burns Lyman Smith turned it into a far more ambitious undertaking in order to surpass the record-holding building in Tacoma at the time. The facade is made of granite on the lower floors and terra-cotta above, and the building has stayed remarkably clean even though its exterior has been cleaned only once since it was built. Here you can experience the only West Coast skyscraper whose brass-trimmed Otis elevators are still operated by elevator attendants. A special attraction is the Chinese Room on the 35th floor, whose furnishings and ceiling decoration come from China. The top floors, which once housed a large water tank, are now home to the building's only penthouse apartment.
At a glance
- Category
- Sight › Historic sites
- Rating
- no reviews yet · write a review
- Address
- 506 2nd Ave
98104 Seattle, USA - Phone
- +12066240414
- Website
- www.smithtower.com
- info@smithtower.com
- Coordinates
- 47.60186° N · -122.33185° E
- Data quality
- confidence 0.98
- Identifier
- ID ba912bd8-81c…
Location & surroundings
Toggle layersFAQ about Smith Tower
quick answersWhat is the Smith Tower in Seattle?
The Smith Tower at 506 2nd Ave is considered Seattle's oldest skyscraper and an outstanding example of neoclassical architecture. The building was completed in 1914. Its facade is made of granite on the lower floors and terra-cotta above. Although the Smith Tower has had its exterior cleaned only once since it was built, it has remained remarkably clean.
What can you experience at the Smith Tower in Seattle?
At the Smith Tower in Seattle, you can ride in brass-trimmed Otis elevators that are still operated by elevator attendants. It is the only skyscraper on the US West Coast with elevators like these. A special attraction is the Chinese Room on the 35th floor, whose furnishings and ceiling decorations come from China.
How did the Smith Tower in Seattle come about, and where does its name come from?
The Smith Tower in Seattle is named after its builder, Lyman Cornelius Smith. Smith originally planned a smaller project, but his son Burns Lyman Smith turned it into a much larger undertaking in order to surpass the record-holding building in Tacoma at the time. At 42 stories, the Smith Tower was the tallest freestanding structure on the US West Coast until the Space Needle was built in 1962. On the top floors, where a large water tank was once housed, you'll now find the building's only penthouse apartment.
What can you see around the Smith Tower in Seattle?
Around the Smith Tower in Seattle, several historic sites in the Pioneer Square neighborhood are within walking distance. travelguide195 lists the Interurban Building about 210 feet away, the Lyon Building about 404 feet away, the Pioneer Square Pergola about 509 feet away, and the Hoge Building about 545 feet away, among others. Seattle Underground is also about 535 feet away.
Are there restaurants and tours near the Smith Tower in Seattle?
Yes, there is a wide range of dining options around the Smith Tower in Seattle: travelguide195 lists about 163 restaurants within 500 meters. The Smith Tower is also part of several tours, including "Seattle in One Day: Space Needle, Pike Place and Pioneer Square," "Seattle for Food Lovers: From Pioneer Square to the Hillclimb Bar," and "From Pioneer Square to Pike Place: Downtown Seattle on Foot."
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Built in 1914, the Smith Tower was Seattle's first skyscraper, and the tallest building on the West Coast for nearly half a century before being overtaken by the Space Needle. Uniformed attendants operate the old copper and brass elevators from which you can peer into the different floors and offices as you ascend, an experience most people today have probably only witnessed in old movies. The outdoor Observatory on the 35th floor wraps completely around the four sides of the tower, providing panoramic views of the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges, including Mt. Rainier, as well as of Elliott Bay, Downtown Seattle, and Pioneer Square. The interior of the 35th floor contains a speakeasy-themed bar, formerly known as the Chinese Room for its ornately carved ceiling and a number of decorative flourishes imported from China in the early 20th century. There is an excellent 45 minute guided tour with a very knowledgeable and entertaining tour guide (separate admission fee) about Seattle's history from the 1920s and beyond that is available. Also, there is an excellent independent coffee shop (Caffe Vita) in the Smith Tower (hours M–F: 7AM-5PM, Sa–Su: 8AM–3PM). Washington state residents can get admission for only $18 (with Washington state ID) and after 4pm Monday to Thursday admission is available to all for only $18 to the observation deck and bar only (museum not included for this price).
Source: Wikivoyage, „Seattle/Pioneer Square-International District“ · authors per page history · CC BY-SA 4.0 · as of 4/25/2026