Northern Life Tower
historic place
The Northern Life Tower, now known as the Seattle Tower, stands in downtown Seattle, King County. This historic place was completed in 1928 and opened in March 1929. Designed by architect A.H. Albertson, the 27-story building was originally constructed as the headquarters for the Northern Life Insurance Company, founded by brothers David Bruce Morgan and Tasso Mayne Morgan. Upon its completion, the Northern Life Tower became Seattle's first Art Deco skyscraper. Its distinctive ziggurat exterior features 33 shades of brick, designed to lighten from the base to the top, with roof spires resembling evergreens. The ground floor lobby showcases green marble, ornate metalwork, and a gilded, vaulted ceiling. The building represented a significant shift in Seattle's skyline, moving away from classical architectural styles towards designs that reflected modern technology. In 1975, the Northern Life Tower was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It remains a notable example of Art Deco architecture in the Pacific Northwest.