July 7th, 2009 @ 12:03 am by Cliffe | Sorted Historic Buildings
Perhaps it’s architectural relativism (what’s built today makes certain era’s buildings look not so bad) but I don’t mind the Henry M. Jackson Federal Building in itself. Taking up the whole block at 2nd and Marion, it was built in 1974. You can’t make the 1970’s Brutalism case with it and the patterned inset windows privide a nice visual relief from today’s unrelenting flatness. However, the sadness around the old Federal Building is in what was torn down to make way for it. The
Burke Building,
Hotel Stevens, Tivoli Theater — all significant losses to Seattle’s downtown. In the photos below you can find certain elements of the Burke Building that were worked into the grounds. This can be taken as respectful or cruel but in general chalk this one up as bittersweet. Click for higher resolution.
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| Henry M. Jackson Federal Building, Seattle, Washington. Photo taken May 5, 1974 by Marion Dean Ross. Photo courtesy University of Oregon Libraries, Architecture of Oregon & the Pacific Northwest. |
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| Henry M. Jackson Federal Building, Seattle, Washington. Photo taken May 5, 1974 by Marion Dean Ross. Photo courtesy University of Oregon Libraries, Architecture of Oregon & the Pacific Northwest. |
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| Henry M. Jackson Federal Building, Seattle, Washington. Photo taken May 5, 1974 by Marion Dean Ross. Photo courtesy University of Oregon Libraries, Architecture of Oregon & the Pacific Northwest. |
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| Henry M. Jackson Federal Building, Seattle, Washington. Photo taken May 5, 1974 by Marion Dean Ross. Photo courtesy University of Oregon Libraries, Architecture of Oregon & the Pacific Northwest. |
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| Henry M. Jackson Federal Building, Seattle, Washington. Photo taken May 5, 1974 by Marion Dean Ross. Photo courtesy University of Oregon Libraries, Architecture of Oregon & the Pacific Northwest. |
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July 7th, 2009 @ 12:57 am
I used to work across from the street from this one, and as far as soul-crushing monoliths of godless bureaucracy go, this one’s actually not all that bad. Given the fact that this was a (most likely) lowest-bidder project from the mid-Seventies, the results could definitely have been worse…
July 7th, 2009 @ 8:59 am
Jess,
I was aware that the front arch from the Burke Bldg. was spared and incorporated in the plaza, but you mention remnants of the other buildings. What are those?
July 7th, 2009 @ 10:34 am
Any pics of the buildings it replaced?
July 7th, 2009 @ 1:05 pm
Matt: That should have read Burke Building only. Fixed.
Dave: Updated the post with links to the former buildings.
Cliffe
July 7th, 2009 @ 2:24 pm
Cool thanks!
I work across the street in the Wells Fargo Bldg and spend all day looking past this building at the water, mountains, and ferries (yes, I love my cubicle). You’re right - it’s not a horrible building, but what a shame that we lost those buildings it replaced.
October 11th, 2009 @ 9:28 pm
By old boss worked on the building. The entire facade was designed as brick, Which may explain some of the proportions. I think they switched to precast to save money.