Another Shot at Rainier Square Tower

5/10/19 Rainier Square Tower under construction and Rainier Tower

Back in March I sketched Rainier Square Tower from a handy, secluded terrace at Fourth and University (thanks to Andika Murandi for the tip!). It looked like an ideal spot for an Urban Sketchers outing: Lots of tables and chairs, most in shade, and views of assorted buildings – old, new and under construction. It was, indeed, ideal today, when the temperature hit the 80s. In the morning shade, it was downright chilly!

I took a second shot at the twin towers – the new one and the old Rainier Tower, built in 1977. The new construction’s stair-stepping looks strange right now, but when it’s completed (see the illustration here), the asymmetrical building will make more visual sense. According to developer Wright Runstad’s website, the “sloping design echoes the lines of Rainier Tower and allows for panoramic views.” They’ll make an interesting pair, for sure.  

Next I turned 180 degrees to sketch the top of the 27-story Seattle Tower (below). Built in 1928, it was known as Seattle’s first art deco building. I thought that using my red/blue editing pencil might help me to identify and draw the slender slivers of light and triangles of shadows. But mostly I got confused by all the ziggurat layers that gave me a stiff neck.

5/10/19 Seattle Tower

Growing on the terrace were several Japanese maples. A different variety from the ones in my ‘hood that stay red year-round, these were green (and are probably lovely in the fall). Practicing their similar umbrella shapes the past couple weeks was helpful here. I also wanted to show that these maples were in the shade, while the tall trees on the street level behind them were in full sun. 

5/10/19 4th and University terrace

Hidden Gem

Urban Sketchers Seattle met at a second floor public patio in the financial district. It certainly was a hidden gem of a location. We had a good view of the oddly shaped Rainier Tower and the surrounding structures and construction site(s). One sketcher quipped that the Tower looked like beavers had been working at it!   



A few sketchers had already left by the time we took the group photo. 

Nearly all of us sketched the Rainier tower and the nearby crane.



Since I had over an hour left, I decided to take on the architectural details of the upper level of the Cobb Building next door.

Rainier Tower

One of the neat things about working in the heart of downtown Seattle is that you are experiencing the growth of the city firsthand. One of the larger developments currently underway is the Rainier Square on Union St. between 4th and 5th Avenue. Demolition of the old Rainier Square building revealed the base of adjacent Rainier Tower in all its glory. Designed by architect Minoru Yamasaki (also the architect of IBM Building and Pacific Science Building in Seattle, and of course the original World Trade Center), this building has fascinated me since the first time I saw it due to its unusual inverted tapered curving base. Since I work only a block away, I've been witnessing the 'unveiling' process of the tower base as the adjacent building went down brick by brick.

I figured that this view will not last, since a new tower will soon be built right next to it. I decided to do a couple of quick sketches from two different angles. The first one was taken from 5th Avenue between Union and Pike st. looking south.

Rainier Tower, sketched from 5th Avenue between Union and Pike looking south

Rainier Tower, sketched from 5th Ave looking south

 A couple of days later, I stood at a corner of Union st. and 4th Ave and sketched the tower from a slightly different angle.

Rainier Tower, sketched from 4th Ave between Union and Pike looking south

Rainier Tower, sketched from 4th Ave looking south