It was the first skyscraper in Seattle and held the title of the tallest building on the West Coast until the Space Needle was built in 1962.
The building's height was originally intended to represent the peak of the mountain-like skyline of early Seattle.
The 35th floor houses a 'Wishing Chair' that was a wedding gift to L.C. Smith’s daughter, rumored to bring marriage within a year to those who sit in it.
The terra cotta cladding was chosen specifically to handle Seattle's frequent rain and remain bright against the grey sky.
The original Otis elevators are still in operation, manually controlled by attendants who announce floor numbers.
The building was designed by Gaggin and Gaggin, the same architects who designed the L.C. Smith typewriter factory.
Completed in 1914, the Smith Tower was the tallest building west of the Mississippi River for nearly 50 years. The structure is an iconic example of neoclassical skyscraper architecture featuring white terra cotta tiling. Visitors access the 35th-floor Observatory through a vintage, brass-gated elevator operated by a manual attendant. The observation deck offers an open-air wrap-around balcony providing views of the Seattle skyline, Elliott Bay, and the Olympic Mountains. The building houses the Observatory Bar, which serves Prohibition-era cocktails in a vintage-themed lounge. Historical exhibits throughout the building document the life of founder L.C. Smith and the building's role in Seattle's early 20th-century history. Original architectural details include ornate brass mail chutes and hand-carved woodwork preserved from the early 1900s.
The open-air wrap-around balcony on the 35th floor offers the best panoramic shots of the harbor and cityscape.
Visit the bar area for a cocktail even if you do not plan on a full tour, as it shares the same high-altitude views.
Look for the original mail chutes on each floor, which are still functional architectural artifacts.
Bring a windbreaker, as the open-air observatory deck can be significantly windier than street level.
Do not visit during heavy fog or low-cloud cover days, as the observatory visibility will be significantly limited.
Smart casual attire is recommended, particularly if dining or drinking in the observatory bar.
