Blueprint
THE SPACE NEEDLE
As if views from atop the Space Needle aren’t jaw-dropping enough, this staple of Seattle’s skyline is undergoing a massive makeover–the largest in its history–thanks to $100 million in private funding. The new design, by architecture firm Olson Kundig, will uphold the integrity of the original 1962 monument, while propelling it into the future. The existing restaurant, residing at the 500-foot-level, will receive glass flooring for a thrilling downward view. Outside, the metal cage surrounding the observation deck will be replaced with frameless glass panels while even more glass will be installed indoors for floor-to-ceiling panoramic vistas. The Space Needle will remain open during renovations, to be completed this summer.