The C. B. Van Vorst Building’s New Life
February 20th, 2008 @ 1:04 am by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings
John Methot tipped me off to the fact that South Lake Union’s historic C. B. Van Vorst Building is being renovated as part of the Interurban Exchanged project, in preparation for Amazon’s move to the area. According to this article, once renovated the building will serve as a conference center for biotech companies. The 1915 Spanish Mission style brick building was originally used by the J. M. Colman Company, housing the Frederick and Nelson department store’s furniture outlet until 1913 (see the ghost sign on the side of the building). Here’s the update from John on what’s happening currently, followed by my photographs:
Two weeks ago crews demolished the wood-frame structure (apparently formerly the Seattle Glass Company) on the west half of the Van Vorst building’s block. Today crews began demolition of the larger concrete-block warehouse immediately north of the Van Vorst. It was most recently home of Open Circle Theater.
There was a long article in the Pacific Northwest Magazine (Seattle Times) on Sunday about SLU. It mentioned that only the facade of the Van Vorst building would be maintained. Crews have been working inside the Van Vorst building as part of the general demolition of the block. So far there is no shoring or bracing as one usually sees when a facade is going to be preserved while the guts of a building are razed. So far they haven’t touched the exterior of the Van Vorst building.
The Van Vorst has been completely boarded up the whole time I’ve been working here (since 9/06). The old Business Journal article mentioned it was pretty rough inside. Workers have been inside the building off and on the past few weeks. I assume they are preparing for demolition of the interior.
– John Methot
There was a long article in the Pacific Northwest Magazine (Seattle Times) on Sunday about SLU. It mentioned that only the facade of the Van Vorst building would be maintained. Crews have been working inside the Van Vorst building as part of the general demolition of the block. So far there is no shoring or bracing as one usually sees when a facade is going to be preserved while the guts of a building are razed. So far they haven’t touched the exterior of the Van Vorst building.
The Van Vorst has been completely boarded up the whole time I’ve been working here (since 9/06). The old Business Journal article mentioned it was pretty rough inside. Workers have been inside the building off and on the past few weeks. I assume they are preparing for demolition of the interior.
– John Methot
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| The front face of the C. B. Van Vorst Building with parapet. | The east and south faces of the building. The parking lot next to the building was being used for storage. |
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| The south brick wall of the building with faint Frederick and Nelson ghost sign. | The back side of the structure facing an alley is quite dilapidated. |
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| The front center of the building. The brick has been painted over many times over the years. | A closer look at the Van Vorst sign. |
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| View of the front face looking north. | Opposite angle of the building facade. |
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| The building shows signs of years of wear. | Many of the building’s windows have been infilled. |
February 20th, 2008 @ 3:04 pm
love those ghost signs
February 21st, 2008 @ 4:03 pm
And what was then casual detail abv the door way (wehre you can see 415) in shot nine has now aged over the decades into a beautiful pattern, that is probably even more decorous then intended. I think it really speaks to how structures made with natural materials on the exterior give buildings a patina over time that vinyl and glass can not. Even concrete and cement age and devlop use and weather patinas. Even sidewalks can be beautiful over time.
The Smith Tower was no really design masterpiece on the out side. but the layering and acenting with antural materials has given it a character the new downtown library will never attain.
I think a part of what is so unfortunate abt this boom-cycle in Seattle is that the predominant exterior building materials have little natural properties. Over time vinyl flakes, cracks and falls away. Okay, the color will fade, maybe, but is anyone ever going to look at faded vinyl and see beauty? Okay, I’m sure someone is, but did they have to cover the entire city in it!