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Home > Capitol Building > Legislative History
Arguably the most impressive structure in the state, the building is comprised of more than 173 million pounds of stone, brick, concrete, and steel. The fourth tallest masonry dome in the world, rising over 270 feet, tops this magnificent edifice. The Legislative Building was a remarkable achievement founded in the era of "American Renaissance," and still stands as a symbol of American ideals and architectural grandeur. In the 74 years since its construction, the Legislative Building has housed governors, other statewide elected officials, and legislative representatives, served as the center for Washington government, and withstood the powerful impact of three major earthquakes, the most recent being the 2001 Nisqually earthquake. Through it all the building has shown remarkable resilience and strength, thanks in large part to excellent structural design, superior craftsmanship, and seismic upgrades following the earthquakes of 1949 and 1965. Yet as time has passed, numerous aspects of the building have inevitably aged and become overburdened. The structure, which originally served a state with a population scarcely over 800,000, now acts as the nucleus for a state that has over 6 million residents. The structure is in need of major rehabilitation to tackle failing building systems, leaking walls and roofs, and eroding stonework. Additionally, modern fire protection and safety standards are not being met, and electrical systems have become overtaxed in an attempt to meet changing technology needs. A general infrastructure overhaul is necessary to protect the building's history, workers, and visitors, satisfy growing technology requirements, and to make the building accessible for all. | ||
A consummation of seven years of construction,
Washington State's Legislative Building, completed in 1928, serves
as both a working governmental center and a symbol of Washington's
free and democratic government. It is the centerpiece of the five
historic capitol buildings designed by New York architects Walter
Wilder and Harry White. Conceived in the architectural competition
of 1911 and selected by the State Capitol Commission, Wilder and
White's designs for the Legislative Building were completed and set
into motion in 1922. 
