Bank of America skyscraper (Seattle: club, floors, radio)

[pw72]

Beyond what we think, it is generally regarded around the world as a high-ranking skyscraper in almost every category. Non-issue.

Also, as significant, if not more, than the Space Needle in defining the Seattle skyline in 1962.

[69husky400]

I agree with the others, I think the Columbia Tower/BOA building is beautiful. I just wish the observation floor was open on evenings and weekends

[BellevueGuy]

I seem to be in minority.

I like and EMP and Central Library building. Modern architecture is definitely not for everybody these days, but they are "signature" buildings and they will be very famous down the years - no matter what average joes on the street think.

Bank of America building comes from the darkest era of architecture and it is extremely utilitarian & ugly. I have not so much aversion against its shape than its colour. A pitch-black building against the beauty of Puget Sound is just very very bad.

There are some other black gems like TD Tower in Toronto by Mies van der Rohe.. but this one is a failed wanna-be.

[nikdahl]

I love the Columbia Tower, but I think the Library is the coolest building in the city. EMP is neat as well.

Darth Vader Building is another of my favorites.
Fourth & Blanchard Building, Seattle | Emporis.com

[JesseJB]

I'd put money that most people who think the BoA Tower is atrocious would be the same ones to lose their mind if Seattle had plans for a new tallest building.

[pw72]

Originally Posted by JesseJB

I'd put money that most people who think the BoA Tower is atrocious would be the same ones to lose their mind if Seattle had plans for a new tallest building.

Exactly right. Seattle is full of people who don't like change (i.e. progress)...

[SonicsFan93]

Originally Posted by pw72

Exactly right. Seattle is full of people who don't like change (i.e. progress)...

Just like every other major American city. You will find these people everywhere.

[godhead]

Originally Posted by nikdahl

I love the Columbia Tower, but I think the Library is the coolest building in the city. EMP is neat as well.

Darth Vader Building is another of my favorites.
Fourth & Blanchard Building, Seattle | Emporis.com

ah yes, everytime i have a Texas visitor they ask why we stole their Pennzoil building (Houston) and shrunk it down.
http://www.emporis.com/application/?...houston-tx-usa
silly texans

[pw72]

Originally Posted by godhead

ah yes, everytime i have a Texas visitor they ask why we stole their Pennzoil building (Houston) and shrunk it down.
Pennzoil Tower, Houston | Emporis.com
silly texans

Many examples of copy-cat Seattle high-rise architecture. The Norton Building on 1st Ave (1959) was modeled after the Lever House, built a number of years earlier in NYC. Considered very modern and "minimalist" at the time, and the background for the opening credits of Hitchcock's "North By Northwest". Similarly, the now "Safeco Plaza", originally the Sea-First big black building the space needle came in, was modeled after the Seagram's Bldg, again in NY.

One interesting twist, the architect who designed the 1964 Seattle IBM building up on 5th, (Minoru Yamaski) went on to design the World Trade Center in New York. You still see some of the same design elements in that much smaller Seattle building that later were used in the twin towers.

Yamaski also designed the arches and general lay-out for the Pacific Science Center at the Seattle Center, orginally buildings for the Worlds Fair in '62.

[backdrifter]

The Columbia Center is one of my favorite Seattle buildings. Even the color. I think it fits in very well with the rest of the skyline. And driving into the city from the south on I-5, it's very impressive.