Since its 2004 opening, the Seattle Public Library’s Central location has received countless praise for its impressive architecture. By 2007, the building had earned a spot on the American Institute of Architects’ list of Americans’ 150 favorite structures in the U.S. As soon as you spot it, you know it’s one-of-a-kind.

But, as magnificent as the architecture is, it’s what’s inside a library that matters. And the good news is, this place is as well-stocked as it is beautiful.

The Seattle Central Library is located at 1000 4th Ave. in downtown Seattle, in between Madison and Spring St.
Wikipedia
While there has been a library located in downtown Seattle since 1891, this particular version opened to the public on May 23, 2004.
This beautiful building was designed mainly by architects Rem Koolhaas and Joshua Prince-Ramus of the Dutch firm Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA), who strove to make the space more inviting than stuffy.
Binomial_Tree / TripAdvisor
All it takes is one visit to see that this space is anything but traditional.
The library is on several major bus lines — but if you drive, you won't have to worry about finding parking in downtown Seattle.
Rajiv Vyas / Google
The library has a 143-stall underground parking garage with an entrance on Spring Street between Fourth and Fifth Avenues.

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The response to the library hasn't been entirely positive... some critics think the space is confusing, impersonal, and even uncomfortable.
ali ahamed / Google
However, the numbers speak for themselves. Use of the building is more than double the predicted volume, and in its first year alone, 2.3 million people came to visit, many of which were visitors from out of town.
Of course, people come to the library for books... and this location has plenty of those.
Cassie Huff / Google
There are around 1.45 million books spread over its 11 floors. And library cards are free for anyone living in the greater Seattle area or in most of King County.
Admittedly, there are parts of this library that look more like an art gallery or a museum.
backpacker31 / TripAdvisor
But somehow, that just adds to the appeal.
The next time you see this unique building in person, park in the parking garage and stop to check it out.
Tad Bixby / Google
It really is one-of-a-kind.

Have you checked out Washington’s most impressive library?

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Seattle Public Library-Central Library, 1000 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104, USA