August 16th, 2007 @ 12:09 am by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings
In an unsurprising turn of events,
Sabey Corporation has applied to the Landmarks Board and are working on a permit application to demolish what remains of the Rainier Cold Storage Stock House. As I mentioned in my
initial collection of photos from the complex, this building was used as a freezer facility from 1937 to 2002 and had frozen the water table 24 feet down. Over the years, the building has launched up 12 inches into the air and now as the water thaws over the years the building is settling and cracking. I have to say that when I was on the tour of the building in this area I did not feel safe and was extremely skeptical, given the structural condition of the building, that they’d salvage it. You can read Jim Harmon’s
whole writeup here from a meeting that the company had in Georgetown where they broke the news. You can also
view the application for demolition here, which includes the whole history of the building’s problems. This is a true shame for anyone who had high hopes for the preservation of these key Seattle icons of the industrial revolution. So let’s have a look at a few images I shot of the Stock House and enjoy this important building before it’s gone.
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North-most end of the Stock House. The two and a half story high section of wall to the left is the lone facade wall remaining from the 1988 fire.
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South-most end of the building. The in-filled windows, the south ghost sign, and so much history — will meet a wrecking ball.
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August 16th, 2007 @ 8:36 am
I am a native and I love Seattle but I am extremely disappointed and ashamed of how development gets the green light around here lately. Pretty soon, it will look like Seattle was founded in the 21st century by the way Seattle and the surrounding communities look. There is little to no respect for history around here. I am not saying we should outlaw development but it seems like it doesn’t take much to get the green light. The most recent earthquake is an all too commonly used excuse for why we need to tear down this historic building or that one. Look at West Seattle where I live for example.
I watched Children of the Market last night and it is a miracle that Pike Place is still standing. We almost lost the market many times over its 100 year history and there are law suits to this day over it. It’s sad!
August 16th, 2007 @ 10:16 am
[…] Rainier Cold Storage building, a landmark in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood, is set to be demolished. The building is a striking fixture of the neighborhood. Georgetown simply won’t be […]
August 16th, 2007 @ 11:34 am
IF this is in response to my comment, like I said, development should not be outlawed/stopped, etc .. and I realize there are buildings that have to come down for health/safety reasons.
August 16th, 2007 @ 4:50 pm
I’m with you Todd. I’ve seen so many 70, 80, 90 year old houses in my neighborhood torn down and replaced with slapdash cookie cutter condos or apartments. It’s just a total shame. Sadly, it’s just pure supply/demand economics, which is why I think we need more government intervention and incentives to save structures that are important.
Cliffe
August 18th, 2007 @ 2:21 am
[…] of many times. Check out the Seattle Times article on the festivities. Vintage Seattle reader Todd recently said in the comments “I watched Children of the Market last night and it is a miracle that Pike […]