With every handful of beautiful old buildings in Seattle that fall victim to “progress,” there are a few select rays of sunshine that usually come in the form of adaptive re-use. It’s been catching on in Seattle for a while now and I hope that the market and appreciation of these types of conversions continue to grow. One such project is Trace Lofts located on 12th and Madison (you may be familiar with the project if you read Matt Goyer’s Urbnlivn Blog). The condo started selling this past Spring and currently has 9 units left. One of the first things I saw on the project’s web site read “Auto parts, monks, and jock straps? The Trace building has been an automotive warehouse, a home to Tibetan monks, and an athletic equipment company. Intrigued?” Well I was, so I had Jim Goldberg of ek Real Estate Group show me around. The building was completed in 1919 with strong Chicago school design elements. The Bekins Moving Company set up shop there in 1935, Tibetan Monks used the commercial ground level in the late seventies, and Ewajo Interpretive African-American Dance Studio moved in during the nineties. Now that’s some mixed-use! The property was purchased in 2005 by developers who then converted the site into condos while retaining the architectural makeup. Once again, special thanks to Jim Goldberg and ek Real Estate Group for the tour. Let’s view the photos! Click on the images if you’d like to see a larger version.

The Trace Building now anchors the up-and-coming 12th Ave in Capitol Hill. Looking northeast.	The west face of the building just across the street from the Ferrari dealership.
The south face of the building along Madison Street.	Looking up toward the modillion course. The brick exterior has also been restored.
Moving to the west, again looking up.	Planters fill the windows and terra cotta trim is in good condition. All commercial level millwork is original and restored.
Looking south on the sidewalk with the Trace buyer’s lounge in the foreground. This is going to become the Gun Club bar with retail space further south.	The east face of the building features a not-quite-ghost sign. It’s a shame that the upper portion of the sign was covered up and some areas of the wall have been sullied with graffiti.
A look inside the building’s ground level commercial space as it undergoes construction.	This 8,000 square feet of commercial space is still unaccounted for.
Many original insulated fire doors from the building’s exits were re-used as bedroom doors. See below. Door number eight may have been too rusty to salvage.	The front door on the west side of the building leads you to a unique entry filled with antique sewing machines.
The mail area and front entry house a nice juxtaposition of cold and warm building materials.	The building was purchased in 1999 by Ernie Allen of C.H. Holderby to store thousands of vintage sewing machines.
Found materials serve as decoration grounding the building in its history.	Sewing machine pedals also serve as condo number faceplates — another unique and interesting touch.
This unit exists in a floor built on top of the existing building structure. We have recently seen these types of additions cause agitation with the Stadium Lofts project.	Alternate angle looking outside the floor-to-ceiling windows. The unit has a narrow fresh-air patio space.
Some units contain original fire doors salvaged from the building. It’s a very cool touch.	Sweeping into the bedroom to show exposed ductwork and pipes, giving the room a slightly industrial look to match the building’s origins.
A unit for sale in the original portion of the building. Stainless appliances, reclaimed wood floors, and an open layout are staples throughout.	The original car-decking and beams have been preserved throughout the building. The most visible change to the structure is the red earthquake related reinforcement.
The bathrooms are modern and tastefully decorated.	This top floor unit has a very nice view and a lot of natural light. I can see my house from here.

Just received an update from Christine Palmer of Historic Seattle regarding the fate of Central District’s historic Washington Hall (see here and here for previous Vintage Seattle content). Looks as though it still isn’t out of the woods just yet, but getting closer. Here is the word:

Washington Hall, Seattle, Washington.

We’re rolling on with Part 2 of our feature of the historic Victorian Painted Lady for sale at 1603 45th Ave SW in West Seattle. If you missed Part 1 of this feature, be sure to check it out here. Since we took a look at the exterior of the home yesterday, we’ll now have a look inside. And what a splendid piece of Seattle history this interior reveals! Known as the “Herren House,” it was built around 1891 for Civil War veteran Archibald Herren who had come west from North Carolina. Archibald, his wife Lola, and five children moved into the house and during their five year stay had two more children. Over the years, the home has had surprisingly few alterations and once you step into the house you really do feel transported to the late 1800′s. For more on the long history of the home, visit the Department of Neighborhoods page on the property. Again, I want to thank Kurt Metzger of Windermere Real Estate for showing me around the premises. On with the photographs! Click on the thumbnails for larger views.

As you enter the front entryway, this is the sight you are greeted with. A 1930′s tax photo sits on the coffee table.	The view from the top of the stairwell. These stairs ascend all the way up to the finished attic space.
The front living room has one of the home’s four fireplaces. Period light fixtures and original hardwood floors fill the rooms.	Light fills another living space just off of the kitchen. Picture hanging molding can be found throughout the home.
This second floor living space could be used as a bedroom or parlor.	Moving toward the front of the house, you can see where the round tower is located.
Toward the back of the home you’ll find this bedroom with floral wallpaper. The doors with stained glass windows lead out to the back balcony.	The back windows in the house reveal great views of Puget Sound.
The stained-glass windows bathe the original hand-carved staircase in vivid colors.	A detail shot of the second floor stained-glass window.
Coming with stainless steel appliances, granite slab countertops, and a Viking range, the kitchen is one area of the home that is definitely not vintage.	The third floor attic space with coupled nine-over-one double hung sash.
Close-up of the front porch stained glass window.	The bathrooms in the home feature stained glass and nearly century old fixtures.
A view of one of the second floor bathroom with clawfoot tub.	The antique toilets are inscribed “Patented Dec 7, 1897.” Now that’s some vintage sh*t!
Showing another second floor bathroom, this time a touch more modern with the shower.	Close-up detail of the vintage bathroom sink fixtures. Very unique.
Almost all hardware in the home is original and in very nice condition.	These pocket doors separate the front living room from the dining room. This separation is very typical in a Queen Anne style house.
Hardware detail in the second floor bedroom.	Molding from the same room is very well maintained.

“Wow!” That’s what I found myself muttering over and over when I first toured the historic Victorian Painted Lady for sale at 1603 45th Ave SW in West Seattle. This is probably the most impressive property I’ve photographed for Vintage Seattle, so I am very happy to share it. In fact, there’s so much to see that I’ve once again split this feature into two parts. For Part 1, we will consider the exterior for Part 2 concentrate on the interior. This historic West Seattle Victorian was built in 1891 and is thought to be one of the oldest homes in the area. The property is downright sprawling — with over 4,000 square feet inside and almost 10,000 square feet to the lot. Once again, it is for sale right now for $1,499,000. So if you are looking to keep up a piece of Seattle History, this is a nice opportunity. Again, be sure to check out for Part 2 of this feature where we explore more of the home’s history. I want to thank Kurt Metzger of Windermere Real Estate for taking me through the home. Well, enough of my claptrap — on with the photos. Click on the images to see full-res versions.

The front face of the home is dramatic and beautiful. Right away, the eye is caught by the stained glass windows, gingerbread decorations, and arresting round tower.	A view of the corner lot from the 45th Ave SW and SW Seattle St intersection. Note the common Queen Anne style one-over-one double-hung sash, foliate brackets, and a fascia board above the recessed entry.
Bringing the light post into focus in front of the property, 1603 45th Ave SW.	A side view of the home shows well manicured shrubs surrounding the property.
The opposite side of the home is the least detailed.	Moving back around to the front of the property brings us back to the entry.
Showing the back face of the home. Just opposite this view is the 2-car garage and rose garden.	Close-up of the round tower with wooden finial. Notice the intricate shingle pattern design.
Sweeping to the left reveals the gable with supporting decorative brackets.	Moving toward the back of the house to reveal the 2nd floor balcony.
Yet more detail millwork under the balcony with carved panels.	Close-up view of the balcony balustrade with beveled posts.
This type of carved, stylized sunburst motif was common on Queen Anne style homes.	The front entry shows more scroll-sawn brackets and supports.