Norton Building

Hmm well I’ve worked in this building for about 2.5 years. The escalator from the 1^st Ave entrance to the 2^nd Ave lobby is helpful for avoiding the massive hill in the winter (or out of laziness) and the gentleman working in the lobby is very friendly, knows almost everyone by name and is actually keeping an eye on things, far FAR more than anyone else I’ve ever encountered in such a position.

Why do I give this boring building five stars? Its escalator. Not only is it Seattle’s longest, but on it you can bypass the preposterous climb between 1^st and 2^nd avenues, which at Marion St. may be downtown’s steepest.
Better, this escalator is just the first of four that will take you effortlessly up the cliff that is 1^st-​to-​5^th. Here’s that route:
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Escalator 1 — Norton Building:
Enter on 1^st between Columbia and Marion and step on the escalator. The ride takes you up a steep, ridiculously long stainless-​steel chute. You’ll feel like you’re in a Kubrick movie, I promise. Proceed through the lobby, and beyond Seattle’s strangest courtyard you’ll find 2^nd avenue.
Escalator 2 — Wells Fargo Building:
Okay, I don’t want to sound like I have some weird thing about escalators, but I think this one is cool because it’s outdoors. After leaving the Norton Building, cross 2^nd and then walk a half block left, crossing Marion. There you’ll see this canopied transport ascending into Wells Fargo.
(Warning — this escalator is the weak link in the chain, as the Wells Fargo Building maintains only slightly extended bankers hours.)
Escalator 3 — 4^th and Madison Building:
After walking the diagonal route through Wells Fargo, you’ll exit onto 3^rd avenue. Go directly across it and enter the 4^th and Madison Building. (It’s called that even on the 3^rd avenue side.) Inside you’ll find two escalators that will bring you up to 4^th.
(Note: Between the two you are inexplicably forced to climb five actual stairs. I know — the horror. Clearly here the architect punted.)
Escalator 4 — Seattle Public Library
After emerging at 4^th avenue, cross it and take a left across Madison. Enter the library and proceed to its trippy, illuminated escalator. Once atop, admire the cool atrium and the cute, somewhat nerdy girls — or nerdy guys if that’s your poison. When you walk out, you’ll be on 5^th
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Unfortunately, this is where this slacker odyssey ends. And it’s a shame, too, because it’s a steep climb to 6^th as well.