Imagine the Space Needle in a box. That is what some locals called Safeco Plaza when it was built. We’re standing before a Seattle landmark. Safeco Plaza is more than just a skyscraper. It embodies Seattle’s architectural ambition.
Originally named 1001 Fourth Avenue Plaza, Safeco Plaza was completed in 1969. The Howard S Wright Construction Company built it. The building was for Seattle First National Bank. The Naramore, Bain, Brady, and Johanson firm designed it.
At 630 feet tall, Safeco Plaza became Seattle’s tallest building. It even surpassed the Space Needle by 25 feet. This led to its nickname, “The Box the Space Needle Came In.” For sixteen years, Safeco Plaza held the title of Seattle’s tallest structure. Then, the Columbia Center was completed in 1985.
Safeco Plaza served as Seafirst Bank’s headquarters. That was until the bank moved to the Columbia Center in 1985. In 2006, Safeco Insurance moved its headquarters here. They moved from the University District. That is how Safeco Plaza got its current name.
The building’s design is quite unique. Its bronze-colored aluminum and glass exterior stand out. Safeco Plaza was Seattle’s first modern Class-A office building. It was also the first skyscraper to feature a Vierendeel space frame. This innovative structure includes a two-story lobby. There is also a five-story underground garage.
Safeco Plaza offers many amenities. There are 15,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space. You will find a fitness center here. There is also a bank, restaurants, a medical center, and a post office. And if you look up, you’ll see a rooftop helipad. This is one of twelve in the city.
Once upon a time, the Mirabeau restaurant resided on the 46th floor. It was a popular spot, but it closed in 1991. It closed due to a business downturn.
Take a look at the eastern plaza. You will see Three Piece Sculpture: Vertebrae. Henry Moore created this abstract bronze sculpture. Seafirst Bank installed it in 1971. There were plans to remove it after a sale in 1986. Public outcry and a donation from Bank of America saved it.
The Safeco Plaza has changed hands several times. In 1983, JMB Realty bought it for $123 million. That was a Seattle record at the time. Later, in 2005, Hines and CalPERS purchased it for $162 million. In 2016, a German firm and a South Korean firm bought Safeco Plaza for $387 million. In 2021, Boston Properties acquired it for $465 million.
Major tenants of Safeco Plaza include Safeco Insurance. You can also find Bank of America, Riddell Williams, and Helsell Fetterman here. Fehr & Peers, Interior Architects, and Business Service Center, Inc. also have offices here.
Safeco Plaza stands as a testament to Seattle’s ever-evolving skyline. It reflects the city’s blend of innovation and artistic expression. The story of Safeco Plaza mirrors Seattle’s own journey. It is a story of growth, change, and a commitment to pushing boundaries.