What are the Northwest Rooms known for?

The Northwest Rooms are a surviving example of modernist architecture from the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. They are designated as City of Seattle Landmarks and are currently used by KEXP, Seattle's nonprofit radio station.

What is the history of the Northwest Rooms?

Originally called the International Commerce & Industry building, they were designed by architect Paul Thiry as a temporary structure for the Century 21 Exposition (the 1962 Seattle World's Fair).

Who designed the building?

The building was designed by Paul Thiry, a prominent Seattle architect associated with the Northwest Style of post-World War II modern architecture.

What does the architecture of the Northwest Rooms look like?

The building features a rectangular footprint with a uniform 70-foot depth, including a 240-foot long leg along First Avenue North and a main length of 573 feet along Republican Avenue North.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

The Northwest Rooms in Seattle

The Northwest Rooms

A mid-century modernist landmark designed by Paul Thiry for the 1962 World's Fair, this former exhibit hall now serves as the home of KEXP, Seattle's influential nonprofit radio station.

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What to know

The Northwest Rooms stand as a significant relic of the 1962 Seattle World's Fair, also known as the Century 21 Exposition. Designed by the prominent architect Paul Thiry, the building was originally titled the International Commerce & Industry building. Thiry is widely credited with developing the Northwest Style, a regional variation of post-World War II modern architecture that helped establish his national reputation. Architecturally, the structure is defined by a rectangular footprint with a uniform 70-foot depth. Its layout features a 240-foot long leg extending along First Avenue North and a primary length of 573 feet stretching along Republican Avenue North. This modernist design reflects the optimistic, forward-looking aesthetic of the early 1960s. Although originally intended as a temporary structure for the fair, the building survived and evolved. In 2013, the City of Seattle's Landmarks Preservation Board officially designated the Northwest Rooms and the International Fountain Pavilion as Seattle Landmarks. This recognition ensures the preservation of Thiry's contribution to the city's skyline. Today, the building has transitioned from a commercial exhibit hall to a cultural hub. It is currently used by KEXP, Seattle's nonprofit radio station, blending the site's historic architectural significance with the city's contemporary music scene.

Visitor tips

Look for the distinct rectangular lines of the building along Republican Avenue North to appreciate its scale.
Visit during the day to see how the modernist facade interacts with the surrounding Seattle Center campus.
Check KEXP's current visitor policies before planning an interior visit to the radio station.

Nearby context

The Northwest Rooms are located within the Seattle Center, a vibrant cultural campus that traces its origins back to the 1962 World's Fair. This active civic gathering place hosts over 30 educational and entertainment organizations, making the building part of a larger ensemble of modernist landmarks.