Smith Tower Observation Deck Reopening with a Speakeasy

When it opened in 1914, the Smith Tower was the fourth tallest building in the world. The historic structure has seen a bit of a fall from grace from its heyday, hitting a low point in 2012 when it was sold in a foreclosure auction. Now, new owner Unico Properties is giving the Smith Tower a serious makeover — one that includes the addition of a "speakeasy" inside the 35th floor's observation deck.

This is the latest in a wave of establishments planning bars with excellent vantage points; The Nest rooftop bar is opening shortly in the new luxury hotel Thompson Seattle, while Mamnoon's team could launch mBar on a South Lake Union rooftop this summer, too.

The Smith Tower observation deck, which allows 360-degree views of the city, has been closed for renovations since 2014. When it reopens in August, expect "a Prohibition-inspired café and bar, harking back to Smith Tower’s early 1920s roots with touches of Asian influence." This one should be a looker: Unico enlisted Graham Baba Architects, the firm that designed Melrose Market and Chophouse Row, among other sexy food-related projects.

Other changes are coming, too, including a new ground floor general store selling locally-focused gifts and revamped tours with new pricing. That's about all the information available at this point; look for updates as the opening date draws closer.