kids encyclopedia robot

Columbia Center facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The Columbia Center is a very tall building in downtown Seattle, Washington. It used to be called the Bank of America Tower and before that, the Columbia Seafirst Center. This building is the tallest one in Seattle and in the entire state of Washington!

It stands at about 933 feet (284 meters) tall. When it was finished, the Columbia Center was the tallest building on the West Coast. Today, it's still one of the tallest, but a few buildings in Los Angeles and San Francisco are now taller.

Quick facts for kids
Columbia Center
Columbia center from smith tower.jpg
Seen from Smith Tower in August 2007
Former names Bank of America Tower
Columbia Seafirst Center
Record height
Tallest in Seattle and Washington state since 1985
Preceded by Safeco Plaza
General information
Type Commercial offices
Location 701 Fifth Avenue
Seattle, Washington,
United States
Coordinates 47°36′16″N 122°19′50″W / 47.60453°N 122.33069°W / 47.60453; -122.33069
Construction started 1982
Completed January 12, 1985
Opened March 2, 1985
Cost US$200 million (approx. $544 million in 2022 dollars )
Owner Gaw Capital Partners
Height
Architectural 933 ft (284 m)
Tip 967 ft (295 m)
Roof 937 ft (286 m)
Observatory 902 ft (275 m)
Technical details
Floor count 76
(76 & 7 below ground)
Floor area 1,538,000 sq ft (142,900 m2)
Lifts/elevators 48
Design and construction
Architect Chester Lindsey Architects
Developer Martin Selig
Structural engineer Magnusson Klemencic Associates (formerly Skilling Helle Christiansen Robertson)
Main contractor Howard S. Wright Construction

What is the Columbia Center?

The Columbia Center is a huge skyscraper in the heart of Seattle. It's mainly used for offices, where many different businesses have their workplaces. Imagine a giant vertical city, and that's kind of what a skyscraper is!

How Tall is This Building?

This impressive building stands at about 933 feet (which is about 284 meters) to its highest point. That's taller than many other famous buildings! It has 76 floors above the ground and 7 floors below, making it a very complex structure.

What Can You See Inside?

The Columbia Center is mostly filled with offices. However, it also has a special observation deck on the 73rd floor. From here, you can get amazing views of Seattle, including the Space Needle, the city skyline, and even the mountains and water around it. It's a popular spot for visitors to see the city from high above!

A Bit of History

Construction on the Columbia Center began in 1982 and it was finished in 1985. It was designed by an architect named Chester Lindsey. When it first opened, it was a really big deal because it was the tallest building on the entire West Coast of the United States. It has been a landmark in Seattle ever since.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Columbia Center para niños

kids search engine
Columbia Center Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.