Seattle's King Street Station restoration

[Ed Sand]

Yesterday they had the reopening ceremony for the restoration of King Street Station. I was honestly overwhelmed with both how beautiful this building really is, as well as the fantastic historic restoration work. It looks basically like it did in 1906.

 

[Ed Sand]

A couple more pictures.

This is the view of Seattle as you exit onto the new Jackson St. Plaza.

The craftsmanship and care taken can be seen everywhere. It really is great to see things done right like that.

 

[TCJim]

I'm disappointed Anubis is gone.

 

[p51]

Wow, I didn't realize they'd done this much.
The last time I was there was for the Leavenworth snow train in 2011 and the Amtrak 40th anniversary train the month before that), and the station was quite unimpressive then.

 

[NM_RailNut]

And it was even less impressive twenty years ago; of course, back then it was just the Empire Builder that used the station, and plenty of folks talked about restoration, but nothing ever got past the proposal stage. Looks like the powers-that-be have finally realized it was past time (long past time, that is) to actually get this project done; it was definitely worth the wait, though.

 

[Ballard Beaver]

And it was even less impressive twenty years ago; of course, back then it was just the Empire Builder that used the station, and plenty of folks talked about restoration, but nothing ever got past the proposal stage. Looks like the powers-that-be have finally realized it was past time (long past time, that is) to actually get this project done; it was definitely worth the wait, though.

well 'the powers that be' couldnt do much while the building was still owned by the private railroad. then the city bought the bldg for $10 from BNSF in 2008, and they started getting stuff done.

but i imagine BNSF would have let the pigeons continue to take over the upper floors of the station for decades longer, had the city government etc. not stepped forward.

 

[NM_RailNut]

And what makes you think I wasn't considering BNSF (or BN) as part of the "powers-that-be"?

 

[Ballard Beaver]

And what makes you think I wasn't considering BNSF (or BN) as part of the "powers-that-be"?

fair enough

 

[Beverlyhelper]

The craftsmanship and care taken can be seen everywhere. It really is great to see things done right like that.

That is one beautiful rehabilitation!!! Wish I was still in the area to see it. My father and I went there many times in the 50's and while the architectural features were still there, it was never so clean! Congrats to all on a job very well done.

 

[Ventureforth]

What's really sad is that a lot of this existed all along - albeit dilipidated. Hidden behind waynescoating and faux acoustic ceiling panels...

VERY nice to see this get the glory it deserves. Now to see Saint Paul Union Station get to actually service Amtrak - maybe this year!