Inside the Space Needle redesign: Innovation meets preservation in Seattle's skyline

Two leaders behind the Seattle Space Needle's massive redesign say it was a huge undertaking and one that was crucial to ensure the city's iconic landmark is preserved for years to come. "A big part of The Century Project as it got going was both the visitor experience but then also the realization that for it to really last 50 more years or to be in a really good spot for 100 years, it was a whole systems evaluation as well," said Blair Payson, co-owner of the Olson Kundig architecture firm in Seattle and project architect for the Space Needle redesign. "There were all these pieces that were at the, in our world, the end of their useful life," continued Payson, "So things like the electrical, the air conditioning, the elevator systems, revolving floor, all these pieces really needed evaluation and really led to a rethinking of what the entire project-to-visitor experience could be." Alan Maskin, also co-owner of the Olson Kundig architecture firm and the lead designer on The Century Project, said he and Payson met with Space Needle CEO Ron Sevart and COO Karon Olson about their vision for the next chapter of the Needle. "And Karen, in conjunction with the CEO, Ron Sevart, were imagining how they might create an entirely new visitor experience for the Space Needle," said Maskin. "And frankly, what they were discovering was that there were declining revenues and attendance, and they needed to do something big for the future that would really guarantee that they are about the future." Early concepts of the Space Needle included double-deck, spaceship-style elevators. But, when the Space Needle was being built ahead of the 1962 World's Fair, there was not enough time or technology to make that happen. That changed with the signing off of a privately funded $100 million modernization project. Maskin and Payson got to work with the design phase in 2022. The redesign features a new, double deck, glass elevator that provides visitors with stunning views of the city as they travel to the top of the Space Needle. Up top, there's now a rotating glass floor instead of the old restaurant, and 200% more glass on the upper deck for unparalleled views. Listen to the full conversation with Alan Maskin and Blair Payson about how The Century Project at the Space Needle came to life. -------------------------------------------------- For more on the story: https://komonews.com/news/local/space... #tourism #spaceneedle #seattletravel _______________ Stay up to date with our social media: KOMO News on Facebook:   / komonews   KOMO News on Twitter:   / komonews   KOMO News on Instagram:   / komo4   KOMO News on TikTok:   / komo4seattle   Subscribe to KOMO on YouTube:    / @komonews   Watch more top local news stories:    • Video   For all of the day’s top local and national news, visit http://www.komonews.com/ Watch our live newscasts and other live video at https://komonews.com/watch Download our iOS App: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/komo-... Download our Android App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/de... Have a news tip? Send it directly to us: Email us: [email protected] Call the Newsroom: 206.404.4000 KOMO News (ABC 4) provides the latest breaking news, sports, weather, traffic, and local event coverage in the Seattle and Western Washington/Puget Sound area, including Bellevue, Redmond, Renton, Kent, Tacoma, Bellingham, Yakima, and surrounding communities. Tune into ARC Seattle Monday-Friday 7-10 a.m. and 10-11 p.m. on KUNS, The CW Network. #komo #komonews #komo4 #komo4news #seattle #seattlenews #washingtonnews This video and all Sinclair Broadcast Group content archives of local news and sports coverage are available for your use. For more information, contact us at [email protected]