When Safeco Tower, the University District's tallest building, was purchased by the University of Washington last year, details of the intention for the building were scarce.

The tower will be primarily for office space.

"There are several office-leased properties around Puget Sound and the tower allows us to bring them closer to the University," said Cox. "This will improve the efficiency of the offices."

The building's cafeteria and auditorium will be host to the University of Washington's new conference center.

The tower will also provide room for new programs. Partners For Our Children, a program through the School of Social Work that supports foster children, has been allocated offices. The tower will also be home to the School of Architecture and School of Urban Planning's new sustainable design institute. A new digital arts, cinema arts and global classroom program is also in the works, planned to be held in the auditorium later in the year.

Safeco will continue to lease the building through this December. This spring will mark the official opening of the UW tower. To celebrate, PAC is planning a community event called "Meet Me On the Ave" to introduce the tower to the U-District.

At that point, the sign at the top of the building will have changed from 'Safeco' to 'Washington,' and the letter 'W' will label the north and south faces — officially marking the landmark as the University's own.

The 22-story building contains half a million square feet as well as adjoining office buildings and a 200-seat auditorium. Additionally, the UW purchased the site of the former International House of Pancakes restaurant, which will be torn down for construction of a new building.

The buildings were purchased for $130 million, a great deal, according to Marilyn Cox, the head of the UW Tower Planning Committee (PAC).

"It was a wonderful opportunity to purchase the tower at a third of the cost of new construction and allow the University to accomplish several goals."

In a letter written this July to the University's administration, UW Provost Phyllis Wise spoke to these goals.

"From the institutional perspective, significant benefits will flow from this occupancy plan — achievement of long-term financial and academic goals, benefits to the students and community" read the letter, now posted on the PAC Web site.

Safeco Tower was an important part of the U-District, bringing in business and income. The University plans to continue in these footsteps, using the UW tower as a way to benefit the surrounding community.

"[I think] the community was pleased that we were the successful bidders on the properties. We are closing the cafeteria to encourage people to use the eateries and cafes in the District. There will also be a lot of pedestrian traffic between the tower and the University," Cox said.

[Reach reporter Erika Cederlind at news@thedaily.washington.edu]