Westin Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Westin Building Exchange |
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| Alternative names | Westin Corporate Tower |
| General information | |
| Type | Commercial offices Carrier hotel |
| Location | 2001 Sixth Avenue Seattle, Washington |
| Coordinates | 47°36′51″N 122°20′19″W / 47.6143°N 122.3385°W |
| Completed | 1981 |
| Height | |
| Roof | 124.67 m (409.0 ft) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 34 |
| Floor area | 386,103 sq ft (35,870.1 m2) |
| Lifts/elevators | 8 |
| Design and construction | |
| Main contractor | Hoffman Construction |
The Westin Building Exchange is a very important building in Seattle, Washington. It's like a giant meeting place for all sorts of phone and internet companies. Think of it as a central station where different internet highways connect!
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What is the Westin Building Exchange?
This building is a special kind of "carrier hotel." It's a place where many different telecommunication companies come together. These companies provide services like phone calls and internet access.
The Westin Building Exchange helps these companies connect their networks. This makes sure that your phone calls and internet messages can travel smoothly. It's a key spot for how information moves around the world.
A Hub for Digital Connections
The Westin Building is home to some very important internet connections. One of these is the Seattle Internet Exchange (SIX). This is a place where different internet providers connect their networks directly.
Another important connection is the Pacific Wave Exchange. Both of these help make the internet faster and more reliable for everyone. They are like busy intersections for digital traffic.
How Information Travels Inside
On the 19th floor of the building, there are special areas called "Meet-me Rooms." Imagine these as big rooms where different internet and phone companies meet. They use these rooms to connect their individual networks.
These companies have their equipment, called "POPs" (Points of Presence), set up throughout the building. They use super-fast optical fiber cables to connect their equipment back to the Meet-me Rooms. This allows them to easily connect with other companies in the building.
The Meet-me Room is like the heart of the building. It's where companies that offer internet services can connect with each other. This means they don't need to use older, slower connections from phone companies. It makes the internet work better for all of us!
History of the Building
The Westin Building was first built in 1981. When it was new, it was simply called the Westin Building. It used to be the main office for Westin Hotels, which was a hotel company based in Seattle.
Over time, the building became more and more important for telecommunications. Today, it's known as the Westin Building Exchange. It continues to be a vital center for internet and phone connections in the Pacific Northwest.
