What if someone walked into a city planning meeting today and said, ““Hi yes, we’d like to build a giant flying saucer on stilts…”

Would that fly?

Probably not. (Unless the stilts came with a parking study, a SEPA checklist, and a 10-point community benefits proposal.)

They say Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was the Space Needle.

But if it were a development project today, I can only imagine the permitting process.

Hell, Smith Tower wouldn’t pass either.

In all seriousness, the Space Needle is a perfect example of bold design, long-term vision, and the kind of architectural risk that makes a city memorable.

It’s quirky. It’s iconic. It definitely stressed out some structural engineers.

As developers, we might not all be building Seattle’s next landmark, but the goal is the same: create spaces that make an impact, serve a purpose, and, if we’re lucky, stand the test of time (and a few windstorms).

Here’s to pushing boundaries, embracing the weird, and building with imagination.