Conru Art Foundation·Private Tour·Coliseum of Art
Time travel.Through Seattle’s lost worlds.
An exploration of historic buildings nobody has been allowed to see. The Lusty Lady, locked since 2010. The 1916 Coliseum, sealed behind a retail-era drop ceiling for thirty years. Lusty Lady tours are paused. The Coliseum is temporarily closed while we prepare Let There Be Light! Tours resume with the winter show in late November. Tour times and the full calendar are coming soon.
Lost Worlds · The Coliseum
Inside the Coliseum, the cathedral nobody knew was there.
Behind the retail-era drop ceiling and the painted-over walls, the original 1916 theatre is largely intact. Real photos from CAF walkthroughs.
Inside the Coliseum · today
The hidden balcony · 2025
Original ornament · today
Lost Worlds · The Lusty Lady
Inside the Lusty Lady, the building no one's been in.
Real photos from CAF walkthroughs, ’22–’25. The peep-show booths came out. The marquee came down. The 1890 brick walls and wood beams have been there the whole time. Lusty Lady tours are paused. Coliseum tours return with Let There Be Light! in late November.
About the Coliseum
The gutted main floor · 2025
The 1st Avenue facade · 2022
The alley side · 2024
Across from the Hammering Man
Lusty Lady tours are paused. These photos are from earlier walkthroughs, not a tour you can join today.
Before You Walk
Two active buildings.
These are working historical buildings opened up for a single summer of exploration. The route inside passes through unfinished spaces, original 1890 and 1916 staircases, and areas still filled with equipment from prior tenants. Closed-toe shoes recommended.
Come to the Coliseum, Pike & 5th
Tours resume in late November; times to be announced
Closed-toe shoes are a good idea
Stairs at the Coliseum, not ADA accessible
The Route
The Coliseum, and the walk around it.
The Coliseum is the heart of the tour, returning with Let There Be Light! in late November. Lusty Lady tours are paused. Art Love Salon remains a separate place to visit down the hill.
Stop 01
Meet at the Coliseum.
The 1916 Coliseum Theatre · Pike & 5th
You come to the Coliseum building and someone comes out to meet you. You get the short version of how two locked landmarks ended up on one foundation list, and then we go have a look.
Stop 02
Inside the Seven Seas Building.
The 1890 Seven Seas Building (the old Lusty Lady) · 1315 1st Ave
A door that has been locked since 2010. Behind it: the 1890 brick walls, exposed wood beams, and the original peep-show booths still in place. Lusty Lady tours are paused. The Coliseum tour does not include this building right now.
Stop 03
Back up to the Coliseum.
The 1916 Coliseum Theatre · Pike & 5th
The cathedral nobody knew was there. Behind the retail-era drop ceiling and the painted-over walls, the original 1916 theatre is largely intact. We walk the main floor and look up at the original gilded plaster ornament still in place above.
Stop 04
Climb the hidden balcony.
Sealed since the 1990s · the original spiral
This is the part everyone comes for. We unlock a door that was sealed for thirty years and climb the original spiral to the upper balcony, where the ornament is at hand height and the view down is straight onto the cathedral floor below.
Stop 05
Finish at Art Love Salon.
Art Love Salon · 110 Union St
The walk ends at the Salon, a downtown gallery and gathering place for contemporary art, music, conversation, and community.
Visit Art Love SalonReopening updates
Tours return in late November
The Coliseum is temporarily closed while we prepare Let There Be Light! Tours resume with the winter show in late November. Tour times and the full calendar will be announced here. Winter exhibition hours: 2–8 p.m.
Group and private tours: tours@conruartfoundation.org · Press: send an inquiry
Press Inquiries
Tell the story.
Let There Be Light! opens Friday, November 27. Press and programming inquiries are welcome, and we can arrange a walkthrough on request. Print, digital, and broadcast welcome.