The Spheres — Attraction in Seattle

I was looking forward to this visit but it was ruined by security.

This person was at the door Saturday May 3rd around 11am. She's a woman around 5'6" around 160lb older, red hair in a bob, green eyes. Didn't give me a name but she was working with Anna.

I arrived for my visit there was no one in line so I was walking to the security at the door to show my ticket. This redhead woman came from behind me. She asked what time was my appointment (Fine) I said 11. She then proceeds to get an attitude and act as though she is annoyed and said "well can I see your tickets" I said "sure" she didn't scan it or anything then she said "okay both tickets? There's clearly two of you, right?" With a nasty tone.

It bothered me so when I left I went back up to her to tell her "hello I don't know if you remember me but I came through earlier and just wanted to tell you your tone comes off very negative and like you have ab attitude"

Now a normal person working in customer service would probably just apologize for their behavior. Nope. She doubled down. She started making excuses like she's not a grown woman. She had no accountability. I said "you don't need to escalate this and make excuses. I'm just telling you for someone in your potions-"

She cut me off, started to walk away and said "I'm working right now" (no one else was in line)

Then I said hey that's not right what is going on with you? She then starts to escalate the situattion by playing the victim. She raises her voice at me and tells me she feels I'm being aggressive (telling someone you don't like the way they speak to you is now aggressive, I guess?) She said I'm in her face, goes to her coworker Anna and starts lying telling her to call the cops! because I'm threatening her. I told her she should think about changing her attitude and to take responsibility for her actions instead of escalating the situation by getting police involved and I walked away.

People like her won't change. If I stayed for the police I know she's use her power and tears to make up some lie so the police would harm or arrest me. She is definitely one of those people who would falsely accuse someone. That's extremely dangerous.

Amazon please teach security some manners and customer...

The Spheres are a masterful architectural achievement, and the centerpiece of the Seattle Amazon campus. Built upon a portion of the city known as the Denny Regrade, The Spheres and the surrounding Amazon campus are easily accessible for pedestrians from Downtown, Capitol Hill & South Lake Union. This is a great place to center any urban hiking excursion from, which is precisely what I did during my visit in February.

While visiting the interior of this fascinating building is exclusively for Amazon employees (or the public if you have endured the massive waiting list), walking around the exterior certainly lends more than enough to the eye and the imagination. Sitting upon a stoop and studying the many angles of the triple spheres, I find myself wondering if this is the modern equivalent to the cathedral: an awe-inspiring masterpiece that bends the peoples' mind to the might of the creator... Amazon and corporate America in this case, taking the place of God and the church. Is this the future of civilized metropolitan living? Amidst the concrete jungle, a green paradise built by and for the Amazonians.

The area around The Spheres is still under massive civic renovation. But the completed buildings house many great lunch options. Just keep in mind that these restaurants, most of which fall under the fast casual model of dining, are particularly busy during the Amazon lunch rush Monday thru Friday.

For those interested in further exploring Seattle architecture, there are many buildings within an easy walk of the Amazon campus. The US District Courthouse is right around the corner, and serves as an excellent branching point towards Capitol Hill. In other directions, one can easily reach Belltown, South Lake Union, the Olympic Sculpture Park, Pike Place, or even catch the E-line bus to Fremont, Green Lake and the more international portions of north Seattle along...

We got lucky to snag tickets to one of the public open-days at The Spheres, yes, they actually open their doors to the general public twice a month, on the first & third Saturday (by reservation).

Walking inside felt like stepping into a secret rainforest in the heart of downtown Seattle, lush, green, humid, alive. The domes are filled with tens of thousands of exotic plants (over 40,000 in total), cascading walls of foliage, little waterways, aquariums, winding walkways, balconies, and cozy nooks to pause and soak it all in.

What I especially loved: The contrast: you’re in a modern city, glass and steel everywhere and then you step into this living, breathing ecosystem.

The temperature and humidity are gentle, it feels tropical but not oppressive.

The way the light streams in through the glass domes, illuminating leaves, mosses, vines, and even small waterfalls.

Ambassadors (staff) were around to answer questions about plant species, design choices, and the “why” behind the ecosystem.

Outside, the banana stand giving away free bananas was such a fun little touch, cute, quirky, unexpected, and totally memorable.

If you’re in Seattle, I absolutely recommend trying to get in on one of those Saturday public visits. Reserve early (slots fill fast!), arrive with time to wander slowly, ask questions, and just let nature surprise you in the middle of the city.

It’s more than an Instagram backdrop, it’s...