Well, we’d heard about it before but we weren’t sure if it would get approved. Seattle’s Smith Tower, an icon of the city with its copper elevators, is going condo. The landmark will have the zoning for it change from office building to condominium and chances are good they won’t be your typical condo conversion since the article in the Seattle Times notes, “a prevailing number of them were swayed by a desire to have more upscale residences in Pioneer Square.” “Them” being the folks at the Pioneer Square Preservation Board. An article is also posted in the online version of Seattle PI from back in July.
It will be a while till the conversion is even started but in the meantime we’re wondering what the means for the couple that have been living in the top 3 stories of the tower – yes, that pointed top of the building has been an apartment that has even been highlighted in several home magazines over the years. You have to scroll down on this link to photos of the architect’s (Castanes Architects) work.
I wonder how the neighbors at Union Gospel Mission will view the direct comparison of poverty to prestige. Perhaps it will bring a new flood of donations due to increased visibility. We can hope.
