The Interurban Building, also known as The Pacific Block and Seattle National Bank Building, was designed by John Parkinson (architect) and was constructed over the two year period of 1890-1892. This skewed view was taken with a very wide angle lens (fish-eye). The white skyscraper to the left is the Smith Tower, built in 1913 and stands at 522 feet, it was the tallest building west of the Mississippi River until 1962 when the Space Needle overtook it. The Interurban Building was one of many buildings constructed after the Great Seattle Fire in 1889. It is located in the historic district of downtown Seattle, Pioneer Square, at the southeast corner of Yesler Way and Occidental Avenue South. The doorway arch on the corner of the building is adorned with a carved terracotta lion’s head, to see a close up view of it click here. I love these old buildings they have so much more character than the sleek modern office towers of today. Which do you prefer?
Love the exaggerated distortion.
Me too, Rachel… when I bought my 10-17mm fish-eye lens, I wondered if I would use it much, but I find I use it on every photo excursion I make, sometimes I use it a lot!
What a wonderful image. I used to work right by this building. Aw, memories!
Lucky you, Robin! I worked at the King County Courthouse forty years ago and only walked through a portion of Pioneer Square to get to the Metro stop… thank you for visiting. I’ll be checking out more recipes on your blog!
Love this fish eye lens; great photo! I’ve never been to Seattle (other than the airport) so am enjoying your posts.
I do love my fish-eye lens too, when purchased I wasn’t sure it would be very useful, but I’ve found it gets a lot of use. Many, many times, the only way I can get a shot is with this lens, I can stand with my toes up next to a building and still get a great shot, so helpful in tight spaces. I hope you’ll get an opportunity to come to Seattle and stay for a visit, it is a beautiful place and it doesn’t really rain all the time, shhh, don’t tell!