Bridge of Glass

The Bridge of Glass is a 500-foot (150 m) pedestrian partially-covered footbridge spanning Interstate 705 in Tacoma, Washington.[1][2] It was opened in 2002 as a gift to the city.[2] The Bridge of Glass connects the Museum of Glass on the Thea Foss Waterway to the downtown and attractions along Pacific Avenue such as Union Station, Washington State History Museum, and Tacoma Art Museum.[3] Together, these attractions make up an area of Tacoma described as "Museum Row."[4] The Bridge of Glass was designed by Texas architect Arthur Andersson and is decorated with artworks by Dale Chihuly.[5] Chihuly has described the Bridge of Glass as "the gateway that welcomes people to Tacoma."[6] It is accessible and free to the public 24 hours a day, lighting up during the nighttime.[4]

For the film, see Bridge of Glass (film).
Bridge of Glass
Coordinates47.2455852°N 122.435410°W / 47.2455852; -122.435410
CarriesPedestrian traffic
Crosses I-705
LocaleTacoma, Washington
Characteristics
MaterialSteel, concrete, glass
Total length500 feet (150 m)
Height70 feet (21 m)
History
DesignerDale Chihuly and Arthur Andersson (Andersson·Wise Architects)
Opened2002
Location

Artwork
The Bridge of Glass connects the Museum of Glass to downtown Tacoma
Artwork on the bridge

Crossing the bridge, visitors will observe three Chihuly glass installations. On the south end of the bridge, closest to the downtown is the "Seaform Pavilion", a 15-meter-long[4] covered portion of the bridge suspending 2,364 pieces[5] of colorful marine-life inspired glass on the ceiling overhead.[7] Heading north, past the "Seaform Pavilion" and toward the center of the bridge are the "Crystal Towers", two 40-foot-tall structures on either edge resembling enlarged, vertical pieces of turquoise rock candy.[1] The towers are made from 63 pieces or "crystals" of Polyvitro, a polyurethane material known for its durability.[5] At night, the towers are illuminated and visible at many points around the downtown area.[1] Lastly, and closest to the museum on the north end of the bridge, is the "Venetian Wall", an 80-foot-long installation housing 109 individual showcases[5] of Art-Deco style artworks[1] lit by fiber-optic lights.[8] After the final installation, visitors arrive on the rooftop of the Museum of Glass, where they can follow a series of ramps bordering additional outdoor glass installations to the entrance, or take an elevator to the first-floor parking area.[9]

History
Picture of the Crystal Towers on the Chihuly Bridge of Glass
Crystal Towers
Venetian Wall on the Chihuly Bridge of Glass
Venetian Wall

The Museum of Glass and Bridge of Glass were created amidst the development of Tacoma's Thea Foss Waterway. In 1991, the city acquired 27 acres on the downtown waterfront for $6.8 million.[10] Considered one of the most polluted Superfund sites in the country, the city, federal agencies, and about 70 companies considered responsible for the pollution, paid roughly $103 million to clean up the area.[11] Tacoma civic and business leaders met with investor George F. Russell Jr. in 1992 to discuss their vision of a museum showcasing the artwork of Tacoma native, Dale Chihuly.[12] By 1995, Russell and his wife were name co-chairmen of the museum's board, and with board-approval selected Arthur Erickson as the museum's architect.[12] Ultimately, the board's vision of a museum featuring artwork exclusively by Chihuly, was redirected by Chihuly himself who suggested the museum should feature the works of glass artists from around the world.[12] It was decided Chihuly would contribute three permanent installations on the proposed bridge to link the museum to the downtown area, later named the Chihuly Bridge of Glass.[12] The Museum of Glass was the first establishment built on the cleaned up Thea Foss Waterway site in 2002.[10] The Museum of Glass cost about $48 million,[8] and the Bridge of Glass about $12 million in building, design, and installation expenses.[13]

See also

References
  1. Points of Interest/A Glass Ceiling to Love, Smithsonian Magazine, November 2007, archived from the original on 2011-06-17, retrieved 2010-09-10
  2. Bridge of Glass project description, Dale Chihuly official website, archived from the original on 2010-09-19, retrieved 2010-09-10
  3. Hartline, Jack (19 October 2016). "New Tacoma Art Museum glitters: Glass master and city native Dale Chihuly featured at $22-million facility". Retrieved 19 October 2016 – via LexisNexisAcademic.
  4. Hartline, Jack (27 August 2002). "A touch of glass in Tacoma: Museum of Glass the centrepiece of a redeveloped industrial district". Retrieved 19 October 2016 – via LexisNexis Academic.
  5. "CHIHULY BRIDGE OF GLASS". Museum of Glass. Archived from the original on 22 October 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  6. BUFALINI, SAM (16 July 2005). "The new aroma of Tacoma; SAM BUFALINI barely recognizes his Washington State hometown on a recent visit, as museums and theatres have rejuvenated a city once known more for its odiferous pulp mills than for its stunning natural surroundings". Retrieved 19 October 2016 – via LexisNexis Academic.
  7. "Reflections on a glass museum --- in tacoma's new gallery, no artworks are as hot as the four big furnaces". Wall Street Journal. ProQuest. ProQuest 398794490.
  8. "HOUSE OF GLASS TACOMA MUSEUM AND BRIDGE WILL MAKE CITY'S ONCE-GRIM WATERFRONT A SHOWPLACE OF NATIONAL PROMINENCE". The Columbian (Vancouver, WA.). LexisNexis Academic.
  9. MUCHNIC, SUZANNE (7 July 2002). "Art; Clarifying a Vision; An idea driven by glass artist Dale Chihuly's work has led to a museum about much more: [HOME EDITION]". Retrieved 20 October 2016 – via Proquest.
  10. NELSON, JONATHAN (25 May 2004). "Successes in creativity from Tacoma, Portland; Arts projects were key to economic renaissance". The Columbian (Vancouver, WA). Retrieved 13 October 2016 – via LexisNexis Academic.
  11. Gordon, Susan (20 April 2006). "Seems a 'debt of thanks' costs $13,200 in Tacoma ; City officials spend $13,200 to pay for a fancy private party at the Museum of Glass celebrating the $100 million-plus cleanup of the Thea Foss Waterway". Retrieved 21 October 2016 – via Proquest.
  12. Reif, Rita (21 July 2002). "A Pyramid for New Treasures of an Age-Old Art". Retrieved 21 October 2016 – via Proquest.
  13. Farr, Sheila (30 June 2002). "Glass houses [Corrected 07/01/02]: [Fourth Edition]". Retrieved 20 October 2016 – via Proquest.
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