Red Square Seattle — Live Webcam on University of Washington Campus

History of Red Square — How a Swimming Pool Became the Heart of Campus

Red Square, or Central Plaza, is the main square of the University of Washington in Seattle, connecting the upper campus with The Quad and humanities buildings to the lower campus. Few casual viewers of the online camera know that this space was not always an open square. In the early 20th century, a swimming pool stood on the site of the current paved plaza — that's how the territory looked before the large-scale reconstruction. The transformation of the swimming pool into a pedestrian square became part of the grand 1915 regents' plan, developed by architect Carl Gould. According to his vision, Suzzallo Library was to become the head of a grand symmetrical square, linking the two main axes of the campus. The library building opened in 1926 — the first phase of construction created the western facade of the triangle that is visible to everyone watching the live stream from Seattle.

The square acquired its final configuration only in the early 1970s. Kane Hall and Odegaard Library were built in 1972, and the new Meany Hall in 1974. Since then, the appearance of Red Square has remained virtually unchanged: the red brick square, framed by contrasting buildings of different eras, remains the main gathering place for students, alumni, and university guests.

Architectural Contrast — Suzzallo Gothic and Kane Hall Brutalism

One of the most impressive qualities of Red Square is the architectural contrast between the buildings that surround it. To the left of the square rises Suzzallo Library — an example of Collegiate Gothic architecture, opened in 1926. Its massive stone walls, pointed arched windows, and rich stone carvings create the atmosphere of an old European university. The western facade of the library, facing the square, was under renovation for a long time — scaffolding and blue barriers were visible on the live webcam, reminding us that even architectural monuments need care.

On the opposite side, a completely different aesthetic dominates. Kane Hall — the first of three brutalist buildings on Red Square, built in 1971 by the firm Walker & McGough from Spokane. The massive concrete forms of Kane Hall are deliberately contrasted with the Gothic library — it is an architectural dialogue of eras contained within a single square. It is atop Kane Hall that the camera is installed, the live stream of which is available online.

To the southeast of the square is Gerberding Hall — the university's administrative building, and to the southwest — Meany Hall, the performing arts building. Together, these four buildings create a unique architectural ensemble, where each era of campus construction is represented by its own voice.

Student Life on the Square — From Orientation to Protests

Red Square has never been just a transit zone. It is a space where the pulse of university life beats. Every September, Dawg Daze — a large-scale program for new students takes place here, introducing freshmen to the campus, student clubs, and university traditions. The square turns into a fair of opportunities: dozens of booths, music, live communication — all of this could be observed through the online camera in Seattle.

In spring, Red Square hosts UW Night Market — an annual night market, which attracts thousands of visitors. Food, crafts, performances — the square becomes the center of cultural life of the university district for one evening. And before important sports matches, pep rallies — pre-game rallies for Dawg Pack and Husky Nation are held here, when the entire square is painted in the university's purple and gold colors.

The student activities fair, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2024, is traditionally held in HUB, but its activities inevitably spill over onto Red Square. But the square is not just about celebrations. Red Square has historically been a place for meetings and protests — a space where student voices are heard the loudest. Anti-war rallies, civil rights demonstrations, environmental justice campaigns have taken place here — the square has seen generations of activists who changed the university and the city.

How to Get to Red Square in Seattle

For those who want to see Red Square not only on the webcam but also in person, getting to the square is quite easy. Address for navigation: Seattle, WA 98105 — between Kane Hall and Odegaard Library. The nearest light rail station is University of Washington Link light rail station, located northeast of the campus. From the station to the square is about a ten-minute walk through the university grounds.

An alternative option is U District Light Rail station on Brooklyn Avenue NE, between NE 45th and NE 43rd streets. From there, you can reach Meany Hall through the western part of the campus. In addition, more than 60 bus routes serve the university district, including routes that run directly through the campus. Parking garages are available on university grounds for drivers, although finding a spot during peak hours can be challenging.

What You Can See on the Camera

The online camera is installed atop Kane Hall and updates the image every 5 minutes, providing a bird's-eye view of the entire Red Square. Several iconic campus buildings are in the frame at once: Kane Hall, Suzzallo Library, Gerberding Hall, Odegaard Library, and Meany Hall. The red brick square of Red Square is clearly visible — it is what gave this place its name, although many mistakenly associate the name with political symbolism.

On the left of the frame, the neo-Gothic facade of Suzzallo Library dominates with its characteristic arched windows and stonework. Construction work is underway on the library's facade — scaffolding and blue barriers are visible, indicating a large-scale restoration of the historic building. The central part of the frame is occupied by a vast open square with paved flooring, along which people continuously move — students, faculty, visitors. A sculptural abstract monument is installed on the left side of the square, and a fountain is visible in the background. To the right of the square is a row of deciduous trees and campus buildings. A Gothic tower, likely Memorial Union, is visible in the background. In the upper right corner of the image is the University of Washington logo — a purple letter W and the inscription UNIVERSITY of WASHINGTON. This live webcam allows you to feel the rhythm of student life in Seattle without leaving home.