In 1886, Seattle founder
David Denny donated the tract of land that would eventually host Seattle Center, stipulating that it be of "public use forever". Plans for the land took shape in 1928, when mayor
Bertha Knight Landes dedicated the newly-constructed arena and auditorium on the site as the Civic Center complex. In 1958, the Civic Auditorium was chosen as the future location of the World's Fair, and demolition work began following a countdown ceremony initiated by President
Dwight D. Eisenhower.
In 1961, Japanese architects Hideki Shimizu and Kazuyuki Matsushita were chosen to design the
International Fountain, and a contract with
Alweg Rapid Transit Systems was signed for the construction of the monorail. On April 21, 1962, President
John F. Kennedy officially opened the World's Fair; the six-month event was attended by, among others, astronaut
John Glenn, politician
Robert F. Kennedy, and singer
Elvis Presley, who arrived in September 1962 to shoot the film It Happened at the World's Fair. Following the conclusion of the event, ownership of the complex was returned to the City of Seattle, which has since maintained it as a hub for the city's performing arts and sporting events.[1]
Attractions
Several buildings and pieces of artwork at Seattle Center have Japanese influences. These include the Pacific Science Center, designed by architect
Minoru Yamasaki,[2] the "Seattle Mural" by artist
Paul Horiuchi, and the
Kobe Bell, a gift to Seattle from its
sister city of
Kobe, Japan.[3]
International Fountain, located in the center of the complex. Designed by Japanese architects Kazuyuki Matsushita and Hideki Shimizu, the fountain was built as a modernist water sculpture and renovated extensively in 1995. With over 20 spouts, the fountain rotates through programmed cycles of water patterns, accompanied by recorded music from around the world. The music is changed twice a month; it is chosen to compliment the water patterns and events programming at the center.
Mural Ampitheatre, featuring a mosaic mural by artist
Paul Horiuchi; the Horiuchi Mural, also created for the World's Fair, is an official city landmark.[6]
Marion Oliver McCaw Hall, home of the
Seattle Opera and
Pacific Northwest Ballet, whose ballet school is adjacent at the Phelps Center. This is the third performance space on this site, the second being the Opera House built at the time of the World's Fair.
Seattle Repertory Theatre, home of the Bagley Wright Theatre, the Leo Kreielsheimer Theatre, and the PONCHO Forum
Mercer Arena, formerly a sports, concert, and opera venue before sitting vacant for several years. It was demolished and the site is being redeveloped as the future home of Seattle Opera.
Exhibition Hall, a space for trade shows, receptions, exhibits, and special events
Fisher Pavilion at Seattle Center is one of the largest rental venues on the grounds and the first City of Seattle building to achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. The large, flexible space can accommodate a wide range of commercial, charity and community events.
The Northwest Rooms, once a small conference center, now houses
SIFF Film Center, The VERA Project, and
KEXP-FM.