King County Administration Building

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 King Country Administration Building with hexagonal theme
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King Country Administration Building with hexagonal theme

The nine-story King County Administration Building in in Seattle. It lies between Jefferson and James streets and between Fourth and Fifth avenues. It features an unique hexagaonal honeycomb theme in its walls and windows. It was built in 1971[1]

Hexagon window openings
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Hexagon window openings

[edit] Agencies

The King County Administration Building is located at 500 Fourth Ave. Parking is available in parking garages on all surrounding streets. Bus information is available from Metro.

Several agencies are located in the Administration Building, including:

  • Archives and Records Management
  • Assessor's Office
  • Elections
  • Finance & Business Operations
  • Facilities Management
  • Marriage Licensing
  • Recorder's Office
  • Vehicle Licensing
  • Vital Statistics - Birth and Death Records

[edit] Aesthetics

According to the Seattle Times, "County and city officials agree on at least one thing: the dubious aesthetics of the Administration Building, a squat, fortresslike building with diagonal lines". Seattle Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis stated "I think everybody acknowledges it may be the ugliest building in downtown Seattle"

It was also voted the ugliest government building in the country in the '70s, shortly after it was built.[2]

The old Seattle Municipal Building and Seattle Public Library were also known as relatively ugly buildings.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ King County document
  2. ^ Seattle Times, October 18, 2006. Sims wants tower to replace King County's "ugly" building. By Keith Ervin and Bob Young