Built in 1962 for the 1962 World's Fair, the Space Needle is the Pacific Northwest's most recognizable landmark and is the symbol of Seattle, Washington. Located on the grounds of Seattle Center, it is now privately owned. The Space Needle is a tower 605 feet high. It is built to withstand winds of up to 200 mph and earthquakes up to 9.1 magnitude, and has 25 lightning rods on the roof to withstand lightning strikes. The Space Needle features an observation deck at 520 feet , the SkyCity restaurant, and a gift shop.