Old Ballard’s Portland Building

May 14th, 2008 @ 1:33 am by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings |

If you’ve ever found yourself wandering down historic Ballard Ave then you’ve probably noticed this building. Over the years it has gone by many names: The Portland Building, The Buffalo, The Cedars, among others. Since it was built in 1901, it has housed dry good stores, drug stores, JC Penney, and a hotel upstairs. A major renovation was undertaken in 1985 and it could very well be needing a seismic retrofit soon. The strange shape of the building was dictated by Seattle’s patented off axis street grid (it’s cut at a 135 degree angle). Check out these 1985 shots from photographer Mark Hagestad.

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View of main facade (eastern and southeastern) at the intersection of Ballard Avenue. N.W. and 22nd Street N.W. Image courtesy Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. medicine pills drugs antibiotics types nolvadex steroids late penis growth	View toward Market Street along 22nd Ave N.W. Image courtesy Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. antibiotics online from us pharmacies buy diflucan where
Eastern and Southeastern facades. nolvadex prescription Image courtesy Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.	View of building from Market Street down 22nd Street N.W. Image courtesy Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.
South facade. Image courtesy Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.	Northeast corner of building. Image courtesy Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.
Rear (western) elevation. Image courtesy Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.	Main entry stair to hotel rooms. Image courtesy Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.
Second floor corridor running north-south. Image courtesy Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.	Interior west corridor. and penis growth Image courtesy Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.
Typical second floor room — looking west. Image courtesy Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.	Typical second floor room — looking northwest. Image courtesy Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

3 Responses to “Old Ballard’s Portland Building”

1. RPH says:

   May 14, 2008 at 5:31 pm

   Amazing to see how desolate and quiet those Ballard streets were, just a short 23 years ago. The memorable Burk’s Cafe (now Volterra) is in a couple shots.
2. didi says:

   May 15, 2008 at 12:19 pm

   Great photos!
3. Scott says:

   December 4, 2008 at 9:01 am

   I lived in the building for a year, and it is really changed! Loft apartments, recently renovated by the new owner! Pretty much the best location to live in all of Ballard! The farmers market is right outside your front door every Sunday! Does life get better?

   Living there I heard some stories about the downstairs once being the toughest bar in Seattle? I was told that the upstairs units were single apartments for sailors and dock workers. Men only.

   If anyone knows more of the history of the building, or if that story is true, I’d be interested to hear more!

   Great website!