VintageSeattle.org

Just when you thought the already chaotic bureaucratic brouhaha over the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement couldn’t get any more chaotic, Art Skolnik is seeking to have it delcared a historic landmark. It’s really a push to bring back the retrofit option to the discussion, which the state has shelved since they say it would cost 80% of a full replacement. So do you think we should declare it historic… err retrofit or replace? For the first time on this blog, I have to say it: tear it down! Check out this vintage photo of the Viaduct, taken some time in the 50’s.

At sunset on the Alaskan Way Viaduct at Seattle, Washington. The Viaduct makes it possible to pass non-stop through the downtown business district. Docks and ships are very spectacular from the viaduct. Ektachrome by Max R. Jensen.

Our look at the historic Furuya Building in Pioneer Square rolls on (see Part 1 and Part 2). Today it’s time to detail the second and third floors, as well as the basement area. Matching the vintage photo below of the basement substation area was, well, dangerous. It was pitch black and we made our way with only the light from our cell phones (note to self: pack a flashlight next trip). Luckily no faces were broken or digits lost. The developer is hoping to turn this basement area into a restaurant or something similar. Heading up to the second floor you’ll find a nice rustic space — complete with exposed brick and heavily worn wood floors. The third floor reveals an interesting view of the 1940’s fire damage. You can see a clear line between charred structure and clean structure (probably where a fire wall once stood). The fourth and fifth stories are being re-added and will closely match the original structure (molded concrete rather than sandstone, however). Now I’ve just got to lobby my company to move into this space once it’s been re-developed. Once again I want to give a big thanks to Rob Brewster of ConoverBond Development for the tour.

Vintage photograph of the basement substation.	Modern day view of the basement.
Alternate view of the basement.	Heading up to the second floor.
Alternate angle of second floor space.	View from the back of the second floor.
Wood floor detail.	Worn brick close-up.
A look at the third floor.	You can see a clear delineation of where the fire wall stopped the 1940’s blaze.
View from the back of the third floor.	Close-up of fire damage to heavy timber supports.
Over one hundred years of wear.	Detailed bannister view.

Today we continue on with our look inside Pioneer Square’s historic Furuya Building, this time taking in the first floor. The first section of the floor we see was originally an import store, while the next section served as the Japanese Commercial Bank. Both were owned by successful Seattle businessman Masahiro Furuya. The bank opened in 1907, merged with another bank in the 1920’s, and eventually went bankrupt in 1932 as a result of the stock market crash. It was especially exciting to see the bank area with many features still in tact. Give the photos a look and come back tomorrow for Part 3 (top 2 floors and the basement).

Stepping in the front door. This area had been used as a furniture store for many years.	Opposite angle of furniture showroom area.
Odd doors stacked up against wall.	Back area of the first floor.
Stack of old radiators.	Old duratite crates.
The next half of the building is the former bank area.	Notice the detailed light fixtures and coffered ceiling.
The bank vault is still working.	Close up view of hanging light fixture.

I was recently invited to tour Pioneer Square’s historic Furuya Building and, of course, jumped at the chance. It’s not often that I’m literally given the keys to the building and allowed to photograph for as long as I want. As such, there are too many photos to contain in just one post. Today’s Part 1 will focus on the exterior while tomorrow the interior shots (where most of the fun is) will come. The Furuya was built in 1900 for one of Seattle’s most important Japanese businessmen, Masahiro Furuya. The Chicago School style building was originally two stories, with the other three coming in 1904. However, as you can see from the photos below, the top two floors were lost to fire in the 1940’s. The floor saga continues as the building, now under restoration, is getting floor four and five back. Check out the photos and come back tomorrow for Part 2. Big thanks to Rob Brewster of ConoverBond Development for the tour.

Vintage photograph of the Furuya Building.	The Furuya as seen today, on 220 2nd Ave S.
Looking north along 2nd Ave S.	Looking east along S Main Street.
A closer view of the front facade.	View of side entrance.

This ad certainly brought back some memories for me. I suppose you could say memories of cherished relationships, but not necessarily “sacred.” They were memories of living on Capitol Hill a couple years ago just a few blocks away from this building. Of course, now it’s a hip bar. Maybe that’s why my memories of it are hazy rather than sacred. It is a fun place to go to on a Friday night — the music usually isn’t bad and the interior is quite a sight. Check out the ad from the 1928 Argus, when it was The Butterworth Mortuary. I’d say this is one of the more creative adaptive re-use projects in the city. If not for the dry cleaning leakage, Deano’s could have taken a cue.

The Butterworth Mortuary. The Season of Christmastide suggests sacred memories of cherished relationships. The Argus. Dec. 15, 1928. Price 35 cents. Vol. 35, No. 48.

It looks like the weather is going to shape up today and provide us with a nice 4th. Ready the grill, lemonade, and fireworks. And try not to lose a limb. I’ll leave you with a few snapshots from the 1936 July 4th celebration downtown. Enjoy!

Fourth of July Parade. Jul 4, 1936. Courtesy Engineering Department Photographic Negatives, Seattle Municipal Archives.

Fourth of July Parade. Jul 4, 1936. Courtesy Engineering Department Photographic Negatives, Seattle Municipal Archives.

This just in… the Sonics are history. They are moving to Oklahoma City. That one Championship year in 1979 will not be forgotten, nor will the fact that the Supersonics were the city’s first professional sports team. As much as I’m trying to be positive about the team’s legacy, this latest lawsuit and settlement is a sad and pathetic whimper of a closing chapter. In fact, it’s not a far cry from the Seattle Totems last days. With that said, can another NBA team in Seattle really work? Let’s have a look at the home of the Sonics, Key Arena (formerly Coliseum 21, built for the 1962 World’s Fair). Click on the thumbnails and pour out a “foty ounce” for our Sonics.

Coliseum 21 the fabulous theme building of the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair. Featured in this World of Tomorrow are fascinating predictions of how man will work, live and play in the year 2000. This unique pavilion rises as tall as an 11-story building.

Coliseum 21 at night. Color photo by Mike Roberts.

The Seattle Coliseum, home of the Seattle Totems ice-hockey team, was built for the Seattle World’s Fair in 1962, and after thorough remodeling, is now an impressive arena for indoor-sports like ice-hockey, basketball, boxing, and an ideal hall for national conventions. It has a flexible seating capacity of up to 18,000 and reaches a height of 110 feet in the center. Color photo by Max R Jensen.

This is by far the most epic Seattle skyline Panorama-o-rama we’ve ever posted. It shows five solid miles of Seattle’s waterfront as photographed in August 1907. Bradford is sure to love it and I think you will too. It’s a pretty fascinating look at a city just starting to become “hugeass.” This was the pre-skyscraper era, where structures like the old Courthouse and St. James Cathedral ruled the skyline. While you’re at it, look back to our first panorama-o-rama and the second.

Seattle panorama. Copyright Romans Photographic Co.; August 20, 1907. Image courtesy Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

Redecorating your home? Perhaps these two vintage photos taken inside the historic Olympic Hotel can serve as some inspiration. I can’t date them precisely. The only thing I know is that they are between 1955 and 1979 (this is when the Olympic was under the Western Hotels umbrella). But any reasonable guess would have fallen in that range anyway. Regardless, feel free to use the pleather seating in your own home design. Click on the thumbnails for higher res.

The beautiful, the sophisticated, the intimate Marine Room at the world-famous Olympic Western Hotel, Seattle, will delight you with its tasteful decor, excellent service, delicious food, beverage and wonderful atmosphere. Color photo by Max Jensen.

The Grand Ballroom at the nationally notable Olympic Western Hotel, Seattle, is the warm and welcome setting for social events, business meetings and banquets… here groups enjoy delicious food, excellent service. Color photo by Max Jensen.