For some people, living in downtown Seattle is the ultimate urban dream. And city dwellers Petra Franklin and her daughters are happily living it.
But when this family goes to their "deluxe apartment in the sky", most people are surprised that anyone even lives there at all.
The Smith Tower might be Seattle most historic skyscraper, but since the late 90's Petra has called the top of the skyscraper, her home.
"I just looked up and thought it was really amazing and that it would make an incredible home,” said Petra.
Smith Tower Apartment Gallery
The place was in pretty rough shape when Petra convinced the owners that she should move in, but over time, she and her family have made it their own.
"It was more like a tree house than an apartment,” said Petra. "And we decide that a loft is what we wanted."
A loft with a climbing wall for the kids and a hidden window for mom.
"I love the idea of making a little cutout and covering it with a painting,” said Petra.
Like many pieces in the apartment, the kitchen is made up of things she found in the building.
"Some of it didn't go together and some of it worked,” said Petra. “But I wanted to build it in so it always had a place and it was used."
Overhead in the living room is the apartment's centerpiece: a Dale Chihuly chandelier.
But a few stories above the chandelier is something even more impressive.
"At the tippy top is a globe and you have all sides and the kids love hanging out up there."
Though Petra signed a 20 years lease, if she had her wish, they'd stay much longer.
"Forever if it was my choice,” said Petra.
In children's books, being sent to "the tower" was a bad thing. But for this family, living atop a piece of Seattle history has been a real life fairy tale.
