Is the Space Needle renovation completed?

The Space Needle’s Makeover: All Done or Still Under Construction?

Seattle’s Space Needle. You know it, you love it – that soaring symbol of the Emerald City since the ’62 World’s Fair. But have you heard about its recent glow-up? It’s been undergoing a major renovation, called the Century Project, designed to keep it fresh for future generations while still respecting its iconic past. So, is the whole shebang finally finished? Let’s take a look.

The Century Project: All About Those Views (and a Little Modern Magic)

This wasn’t just a fresh coat of paint, folks. The Century Project, a cool $100 million investment, was all about giving the Space Needle a 21st-century upgrade and, most importantly, maximizing those killer views. Think floor-to-ceiling glass everywhere on the observation deck. Seriously, it’s like they erased the walls! You get this completely unobstructed, jaw-dropping 360-degree panorama of Puget Sound and the surrounding mountains. Trust me, it’s worth the trip.

But the real showstopper? “The Loupe.” Imagine standing on the world’s first revolving glass floor, 500 feet in the air. Yeah, it’s a little nerve-wracking at first, but peering straight down at the Needle’s skeleton and the ant-sized city below? Unforgettable. And if you need a breather, there are even these sleek, leaning glass benches called Skyrisers attached to the outer deck. Perfect for catching your breath and snapping that Insta-worthy pic.

The first phase of this massive project wrapped up back in the summer of 2018. That’s when all the big stuff – the glass walls, the Loupe, the overall observation deck makeover – was unveiled. Pretty impressive, right?

Elevator Upgrade: Still Going Up!

Now, while the main event was done in 2018, there’s been some behind-the-scenes work still happening. Specifically, the elevators. They’re getting a complete overhaul, broken up into two phases: the Century Project and the Elevator Modernization Project.

Just this year, in May 2025, they showed off the new Skyliner elevator. This isn’t your grandpa’s elevator, people. It’s the first double-decker, floor-to-ceiling glass elevator in North America! Can you imagine the views on that ride? They’ve built these new cabs to withstand Seattle’s crazy weather, so you can enjoy the scenery while you zip up to the top in about 41 seconds. It’s a pretty sweet upgrade, if you ask me.

So, What’s the Verdict? Mostly Done, But Still Evolving

Okay, so here’s the deal: the major renovation – the Century Project that everyone was talking about – is finished. You can go up there right now and experience the amazing new views and features. However, the elevator modernization was still in progress as of this year. Plus, there was talk of repainting the whole thing at some point, and I’m not sure if that’s happened yet.

Bottom line? The Space Needle’s transformation is an ongoing process. The core improvements are done, and they’re spectacular. But they’re still tweaking and upgrading things to make it even better for visitors. So, go check it out! You won’t be disappointed. It’s a Seattle icon that’s constantly reinventing itself, and that’s pretty cool.