SEATTLE | Downtown Projects: Completed, U/C, Proposed/Approved

[Hans Gruber]

Ok, I'm up for a challenge. Did you realize the Columbia Tower was widely criticized before, during and after it was completed in 1983. It was panned by architecture crictics for several years.

The building was designed by a Washington State University graduate who had no prestige. Today, the Columbia Tower is almost as well known as the space needle. The snobs didn't like the idea of an unknown architect from a no name school building a landmark.

The Experience Music Project (EMP) was built by a famous architect, I think Frank Loyd Wright, but I could be wrong. It's the ugliest building in the entire city of Seattle. The architect should be banned from designing building forever. It's just a blob that could have been created by any guy on acid.

Finally, another blight is on the eastside by yet another famous architect. The Bellevue Art Museum. Someone fill in the name of this genius architect. The architect said he sees and designs everything in 3's? The inside of the Bellevue Art Museum is worse than the exterior, which makes no sense. The interior design is filled with strange corners and wasted space.

My point. Why are famous architects given the green light to build whatever they want? Where was the design review board when the EMP was being built? They must have been hypnotised by the famed architect who botched that job.

[Aleks]

I don't know, but I don't really like the Columbia Tower as much as other buildings, it's nice but if I was an architect at that time I would have criticized it after seeing the 4ht and Blanchard Building(Darth Vader Building). The EMP is fantastic if you ask me. Not just an architect can make it but a architect. Oh, by the way the architect of the EMP is Frank Gehry, famous for buildings with random shapes and colors.

[Hans Gruber]

I will find the article where Frank Gehry says he see's and designs everything in 3's. He got a pass just because of his name for the Bellevue Art Museum from the design review board.

I totally agree with you on the Darth Vadar building. Everyone I know calls it the Darth Vadar building and they are not even skyscraper fans. That's the first thing that comes to mind I guess for most people. Too funny.

[hi123]

Any news on the 5th and columbia tower?

[genghis]

Hans,

FWIW, Steven Holl was the architect for the Bellevue Art Museum.

[genghis]

And while we're naming names, Columbia Tower and the Darth Vader Bldg (4th & Blanchard) were done by the same architect, Chester Lindsey.

[James Bond Agent 007]

Originally Posted by Hans Gruber

The Experience Music Project (EMP) was built by a famous architect, I think Frank Loyd Wright, but I could be wrong.

Frank Lloyd Wright?

Um, he died decades ago, I don't think dead men design many buildings.

[Aleks]

Originally Posted by genghis

And while we're naming names, Columbia Tower and the Darth Vader Bldg (4th & Blanchard) were done by the same architect, Chester Lindsey.

That's why I talked about it on my previous post.

Bond-I was gonna say that too but I forgot when he died and I was lazy so I didn't wanna look it up.

Hans-I like the Bellevue Arts Museum. Very modern, not the best museum ever but not bad enough that I have to diss on it.

Thanks for bringing up the 5th and Columbia Tower hi123, I haven't heard of this tower in a while and I think it's time for some research.

[Vashon118]

The architect for EMP was Frank Gehry.

[NW Mike]

Originally Posted by genghis

NW Mike,

I'm probably the last person on earth to defend the Design Review Board (It's that old Seattle problem: process, process, process), but if you want to find out more about what they do, Google "Seattle Design Review Program." They generally do two reviews of larger projects and these are open to the public, usually in the area of town where the project is going. The web site also has a long list of upcoming projects they'll be reviewing. Should you wish to be a board member, they have 7 slots opening up on April 4th, 2008. Some are at-large positions, so really just about anyone is eligible.

Thanks for the info, and yes I have googled to my hearts content in the past to see what they do. And yes I do realize its more of the Design Review Board making the Shitty Decisions. But I was just letting out my frustrations.

[Hans Gruber]

Originally Posted by genghis

And while we're naming names, Columbia Tower and the Darth Vader Bldg (4th & Blanchard) were done by the same architect, Chester Lindsey.

I knew he designed lord Vadar's building as well. He died earlier this year or last year.

[Hans Gruber]

Better example but should be on the eastside thread. The same guy designed every major building in the late 80's and early 90's. I'm talking about the Symetra building and City Center in Bellevue. He designed the two other blue building with sharp angles that made them look flat when viewing from certain angles. The first building Symetra then called Rainier Plaza I think was absolutely stunning. However, his best was City Center. Unfortunately he built two more one southwest of city center and another short 10 story due south of city center.

My point is that the building commission in Bellevue should have stopped the architect after two building becuase they were all the same. Fortunately the architect died several years ago so his legacy of identical buildings also died. He had connections with every power person on the eastside so he was the architect chosen for every building design around 1990 or so. These are not exact figures.

The best thing that happened to Bellevue was the lowest vacancy in the country and high prices for class A office space. This has brought out of state builders who are making Bellevue diverse and unique.

I pray to the god of fire that Donald Trump doesn't get to build any building in Seattle. His buildings are not classy but pure power symbols.

The Seattle Public libarary will go down in history as was of the greatest buildings of the 21st century. We need more of that in Seattle. The skyline isn't bad at all because car commercials are filmed for national campaigns in Seattle, usually on the alaskan way viaduct but also in front of the new library.

[M'sFan]

I think Trump's more recent buildings and proposals have been very nice. Trump Chicago? Stunning. Toronto? Elegant. Atlanta? Love it. Skyscrapers by their very nature are an expression of ego, I think. It's just that Trump expresses himself more. And not just in buildings. I would welcome Mr. Trump to Seattle.

[Vashon118]

I just noticed this in today's Seattle Times...

Saturday: Seventh Avenue, from Madison to Marion streets, will be closed to northbound traffic from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. The exit from Interstate 5 at Madison will remain open.

Source: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...5_here16m.html

Sounds like there might be either a concrete pour or the tower crane is going up at 7'th and Madison.

[Hans Gruber]

Originally Posted by M'sFan

I think Trump's more recent buildings and proposals have been very nice. Trump Chicago? Stunning. Toronto? Elegant. Atlanta? Love it. Skyscrapers by their very nature are an expression of ego, I think. It's just that Trump expresses himself more. And not just in buildings. I would welcome Mr. Trump to Seattle.

From what I've heard the only thing Trump is selling is his name. He doesn't design any buildings anymore. He sells his name to developers who build the buildings and pay him a small royalty for the use of his name or the "Trump" brand.

[mhays]

Read today's Wall Street Journal. Lengthy interview with Trump about his own projects and his licensed projects.

[Vashon118]

The tower crane is up at 7'th and Maidson.

[Vashon118]

Demolition has begun at 2301 6'th (taken 11/20)...

[Complex01]

Kewl, nice to see them start. Also looks like ya had some sun there, nice...

[Aleks]

I think it's 5th and Columbia. It's only a render of massing studies but it looked cool o I thought I'd share.


source

Edit: It looks like Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects are designing this tower. They designed the IDX tower downtown too.