Otis Debuts First Panoramic Double-Deck Elevator at Seattle’s Space Needle

Otis Worldwide Corporation has unveiled a groundbreaking addition to the Space Needle: a double-deck, floor-to-ceiling glass elevator, offering panoramic views as guests ascend 520 feet in under 50 seconds. This is the first of three elevators Otis will modernize at the iconic Seattle landmark.

The new elevator is part of the Space Needle’s Century Project, a multi-year renovation aimed at enhancing accessibility and the visitor experience. Upon completion, the site will feature three modernized Otis SkyRise™ elevators, including two double-deck models that can each carry up to 46 passengers.

This project is also the first in North America to use Otis’ SkyMotion™ 800 machines, the company’s most powerful high-rise technology, designed for efficiency and ultra-smooth rides in tall structures.

The elevator cabs—co-designed by an aerospace manufacturer and built by Otis—are custom-built to match the Space Needle’s legacy of innovation. Otis has a long history with the tower, having installed the original elevators in 1962 and performed regular modernization and maintenance since.

The upgrade enhances the Space Needle’s mission to deliver awe-inspiring views of Seattle, the Puget Sound, and Mount Rainier, reinforcing the structure’s identity as a beacon of technological and architectural progress.