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. |
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…
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?
Any pics of the buildings it replaced?
Matt: That should have read Burke Building only. Fixed.
Dave: Updated the post with links to the former buildings.
Cliffe
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.
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.
I worked in the old Burke Buidling in the 1960′s. It was a beautiful old six story structure completed in 1890. You can see an early photograph of the building at the following site:
http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM16D0_Burke_Building
good choice of colors on your blog. I enjoyed reading it! kudos 2 you
although i have only gotten to walk in your fair city just a handful of times, i an enamored by this building. I have not the pleasure of walking up and down its graceful steps yet but when i move here it will be one of the first things i do. i know you natives consider it just a building that makes you think you have lost some of it’s former glory and that is is not worthy of the Seattle you “see”. it is not on any of the tourist registers as i believe it should be for it’s stairways. the life that surrounds the nondescript skyscraper is what gets me. you all get to run and jump and walk on those stairs as you live your busy city lives.