Towering 11 storeys above Fourth Avenue, the Seattle Central Library is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. An impressive feat of glass and steel, the structure quite literally gleams in the sunlight. Covering an impressive 33,700 square metres, the Seattle Central Library is home to around 1.45 million books.
More than 400 computers are open to the public, which makes it a great place to research everything from school projects to Seattle’s rich maritime history. Built as a celebration of books, the Seattle Central Library is defined by lofty public spaces that create an airy, ambient atmosphere.
It’s one of three Seattle Central Library buildings located on the same 1000 Fourth Avenue address, all of which are easy to access by public transport. Both light rail and bus routes service the area, with the facility also offering underground public parking for more than 140 vehicles.
Open since 2004, Seattle Central Library is a mecca for both book-loving locals and sightseeing tourists. While books are its primary function, it also serves as a city landmark. Its unique aesthetic is one of a kind, with architects Rem Koolhaas and Joshua Prince-Ramus encasing “floating” platforms in a glass skin, then wrapping them in a large steel net.