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Exchange Building (Seattle) facts for kids

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Exchange Building
Exchange Building, Seattle.jpg
Alternative names United Exchange Building
General information
Type Commercial offices
Location 821 Second Avenue
Seattle, Washington
Coordinates 47°36′15″N 122°20′05″W / 47.604254°N 122.334814°W / 47.604254; -122.334814
Completed 1930
Owner Beacon Capital Partners
Height
Roof 83.82 m (275.0 ft)
Technical details
Floor count 23
Floor area 27,549 m2 (296,530 sq ft)
Design and construction
Architect John Graham & Associates
Mithun Architects
Main contractor Turner Construction
Designated: April 16, 1990

The Exchange Building is a cool, historic office building in downtown Seattle, Washington. It has 23 stories and stands 275 feet (about 84 meters) tall. This amazing building was finished in 1930. It was designed in the Art Deco style, which was very popular back then.

What is the Exchange Building?

The Exchange Building was first built to be the home of the Seattle Stock Exchange. This was a place where people bought and sold parts of companies. The building was designed by a famous company called John Graham & Associates. It quickly became an important part of Seattle's business world.

Who Designed This Building?

The main architect, John Graham, was born in England. He designed many other well-known buildings in Seattle. Some of his other famous works include the downtown Frederick & Nelson store, which is now a Nordstrom. He also designed The Bon Marché store, which is now a Macy's. Another one of his designs is the Dexter Horton Building.

A Tall Building for Its Time

When it was completed in 1930, the Exchange Building was very special. It was the second-tallest skyscraper in the United States made from reinforced concrete. This was a big achievement for building technology back then.

Who Worked There?

Many important companies had offices in the Exchange Building. Early tenants included big names like General Electric and Standard Oil. Other early businesses were Edison Lamp Works and Underwriters Laboratories. Later, companies like Pacific Northwest Bell and King County Metro also used the building. As of 2016, some of the main companies there include Slalom Consulting, Deloitte Digital, and Nuance Communications.

Awards and Recognition

The Exchange Building is not just old; it's also important! On April 20, 1990, it was given "landmark status." This means it's a special building that needs to be protected because of its history and design. In 2002, it also won the "Office Building of the Year" award. This award came from the Building Owners and Managers Association.

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