Emerald Dome For Downtown Seattle -- 22-Story Building To Be Decorated

The Emerald City is about to get an emerald dome.

The lighted dome will decorate the top of the 22-story Second & Seneca Building, a $100 million construction project announced yesterday by Wright Runstad & Co.

The building, which is planned for the northern two-thirds of the block bounded by First and Second avenues and Seneca and Spring streets, will have 400,000 square feet of office space and 9,000 square feet of retail shops.

Demolition and removal of existing buildings begins this week. Construction of the building will begin in April.

Project manager Tom Croonquist said the building should be ready for its first tenants in September 1991.

The dome will rise 40 feet above the 22nd story and have a diameter of about 80 feet. Its interior will be filled with heating, elevator and cooling equipment.

The green glass exterior of the building will reflect sunlight, and will be illuminated from inside at night.

``Even though the building is not tall, we wanted it to have its own identity and be able to hold its own on the Seattle skyline,'' Croonquist said. ``We think the dome and the building's shape will give it a prominence similar to the Smith Tower.''

The project was designed by Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership, Seattle.

Other Wright Runstad projects in Seattle include the Washington Mutual Tower and First Interstate Center.

The exterior of the Second & Seneca Building will be green glass, alternating with rows of custom-designed panels with granite detailing.

A two-story main entrance will be at Second Avenue and Seneca Street. The main lobby will be finished with marble and light wood paneling.

The building's western face will step down to First Avenue, creating seven terraces for tenants, each with views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.

The building's low western profile was a product of mixed zoning regulations, which allow a tall building along Second Avenue but limit the building height along First Avenue.

Seven levels of underground parking will accommodate 430 vehicles.