VintageSeattle.org

Your daily commute down Boren Ave just got a little emptier. Holly Birge sent in this depressing camera phone photograph and word that the Northcliffe Apartment Building is indeed gone — destroyed. I profiled the Northcliffe here last month. The large brick apartment building loomed over boren for over 80 years and will now be replaced with a Virginia Mason hospital wing. Thanks to Holly for sending in the photograph, as sad as it is.

Where the Northcliffe Apartment building used to stand, Boren & Seneca. Photograph courtesy Holly Birge.

“Cranky” Kate Forneigh alerted me to the existence of this Queen Anne Craftsman in need a craftsman. The 1908 fixer-upper at 1108 West Blaine is selling for a cool $539,950. Yes, half a million for a house in *this* condition. It’s Queen Anne — don’t go expecting something reasonable now. It is (or once was) a great Craftsman with solid bones needing a complete overhaul. Up for the job? See the listing and get your tools ready. Check out my photos below and thanks to Kate for the heads up on the house.

With just a quick read on the house, you can tell it needs a lot of work.	The view of the back section of the home from the alley.
The front yard is located directly above the detached garage.	It is very likely that this front porch was enclosed as an addition at some point.
Box beam ceiling, built-in cabinets, stained molding — all of the Craftsman hallmarks are here.	The kitchen is very dated and could use a complete remodel.
Opposite angle of the living and dining area. The fireplace has potential, though the wood paneling and ceiling tiles could stand to be cut.	A peak inside the bathroom reveals some 1970’s fashions waiting for a craftsman.

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:

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.
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.
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.
View of the front face looking north.	Opposite angle of the building facade.
The building shows signs of years of wear.	Many of the building’s windows have been infilled.

Maybe I’ve been playing too much Bioshock, but I can’t get enough of that 1930’s style lately. Check out these snapshots of the Northwestern Mutual Insurance Building, an Art Deco masterpiece built in 1931. Now known as Olympic Tower, it was put on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and granted landmark status in 1987. If you’re downtown admiring the building, you may want to pack heat. Or just some nunchucks. Click on the thumbnails for larger images.

2116 Northwestern Mutual Fire Ins. Bldg. Seattle, WN.

2117 Northwestern Mutual Fire Ins. Bldg. Seattle, WN.

You just can’t keep me away from 1914 Craftsman houses like this one. Someone just scooped up this 4 bed, 3.5 bath Mount Baker home selling for $950,000. But before it was subject to inspection, I stopped by with my camera in order to bring you the goods. I really haven’t spent that much time in Mount Baker, but every time I drive around the area I come away impressed. Click on the images to see the photos.

Exterior of the home from the curb.	The back yard of the home with mature landscaping.
Showing the back of the property along with master bedroom balcony.	A view of the tree lined Mount Baker street.
The living room is situated at the front of the house.	A formal dining room sits just off of the living room.
The kitchen shows signs of a relatively recent remodel.	The first floor bathroom. Hex tile and claw foot tub — you cannot go wrong.
The top of the stairs heading to the second floor.	This bedroom looks down to the front yard and street below.
This extra room could be used as a workspace.	A sun-filled master bedroom with doors leading to a balcony.

I can never get enough of those beautiful brick buildings in Pioneer Square. Back when it was warmer and the sun didn’t go down at 4:30 pm, I stopped by one such building — The National Building located on Western Ave. Designed by Kingsley and Anderson Architects, it was built in 1904 to act as a produce and grocery warehouse. At the time, it was the headquarters of the National Grocery Company with its strategic location near Railroad Avenue (now Alaskan Way). By the 1950’s the building housed light industry, offices, and shops. From 1980 through 1982 the National Building was renovated with the heavy structural timbers and floors stripped of years of paint and the cornice restored along with other missing architectural elements. The structure was then listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a Seattle Landmark Building in 1982. A real beauty, isn’t it? Have a look at the photographs. Click on the images for full-res.

The National Building at the corner of Western and Spring.	The front of the structure along Western Ave.
The section of the building facing Madison.	A look down the alley between the National Building and the adjacent structure.
Alternate angle of the streetscape along Western.	A closer look at the Spring Street face.
Dramatic shadows cast by another building.	“National Bldg” painted onto the brick exterior.
A look inside the fourth floor office space. Pool anyone?	Opposite angle of the fourth floor office area. The brick was also stripped of years of paint in the early 80’s and repainted.

Yesterday I introduced the William H. Thompson house selling at 3119 S Day St in Seattle’s Mount Baker area. As promised, today we take a look inside this 1894 classic Queen Anne style home. The current seller has painstakingly restored most areas of the residence, which was in shambles when he came into ownership. Since the property had been used as a sanatorium for many years, it was partitioned with little care given to flow. The layout has now returned to the original plans and it is a pretty nice example of historic preservation in our area. Remember that the home is now selling for $1,398,000 so if you have the means and are interested in a historic Seattle property, give it a look. I want to again thank Sally Beane of RE/MAX for showing me around. Click on the thumbnails for higher-res images.

The front entryway into the home with stained glass door.	As you enter the residence, you’ll find the dining room.
The base of the three story tower stands in this living room with hearth.	The fireplace is listed on the historic registry and cannot be altered by owners. And who would want to?
The banister is also on the historic reserve and you can see why.	Close-up of the vintage light fixture in the dining room.
The kitchen was originally through the doorway to the right of the frame.	Detail shot of the entry lighting fixture.
Alternate angle of the banister with stairs leading to the second floor. The first floor is stained while the second and third are painted white.	Some pieces of the banister had gone missing over the years and had to be restored and matched.
This photo shows one of the two claw foot tubs in the home.	Another claw foot tub rounds out this functionally odd room.
This large second floor room was originally partitioned but the wall has now been removed.	The stairwell leading to the third floor.
Close-up photo of some trim. Some of the original trim remains, but other pieces had to be recreated.	Though not all lighting fixtures are original, replacements were found from the appropriate time period.
Alternate angle of the stairwell to the third floor.	One of the five bedrooms. Each room has a unique color choice.
Like the lighting, many pieces of hardware had to be matched at antique shops.	A simpler piece of hardware.
This third floor bedroom takes advantage of the tower view and has a walk-in closet.	The view from the tower.
Close-up of the fir floors and baseboard trim.	Light filtering through the banister spokes.
A bedroom with mustard yellow walls.	Yet another bedroom rounds out our look at the home.

You can find the William H. Thompson House high atop the Mount Baker neighborhood, one in Seattle’s line of architecturally significant Queen Anne style treasures. The house was built by Ernest MacKay in 1894 for an estimated price of $4,500. The next owner, William H. Thompson (of the law firm Thompson, Edsen and Humphries), lived in the residence from 1897 until 1917. At 5 bed, 4 bath it was originally used as a single family dwelling but it was later used as a boarding house and sanatorium. It’s now selling for $1,398,000. Being that there are quite a few photos to study, I’ll break this feature up into 2 parts. Part 2 featuring the home’s interior has also been posted. Special thanks to Sally Beane of RE/MAX for giving me a tour of the premises. If you get a chance, go by the house and take in the sights. The house and the view are really something special.

An 1800’s era photograph of the William H. Thompson home. Two people pose on the wrap-around balcony while another spies the photographer from the front porch. Photograph courtesy Washington State Historical Society.	The same frame as captured today. Note that the 2nd floor balcony does not extend quite as far as it used to.
The north face of the home. The front entry and door are on this side of the residence.	A view of the northwest edge of the home. The first floor area on the right of the frame was originally the home’s kitchen.
Alternate view of the north end of the home.	This three story tower anchors the home’s exterior.
The top-most portions of the facade feature imbricated shingles.	The Queen Anne style residence features many decorative brackets.
The west face of the home with eight-over-one double hung sash.	Another angle of the tower with finial.
The windows along this east face feature some incredible views.	The north face of the home with one-over-one sash.

Now this one is unique. I Toured this 1922 built 18th Ave Mom & Pop grocery store turned 1 bedroom home this past weekend and I’m here to bring you the photos. The Central District building was renovated in 2005 — now with 1 bedroom, 1.75 bath, 1150 square feet, and is going for $499,950. As the listing states, this one looks like it was ripped directly out of DWELL Magazine. I’m not much of a fan of that magazine, but this home is pretty cool. Livable? Maybe, maybe not — but definitely a one of a kind. Check it out by clicking on the thumbnails.

This Central District 1922 grocery store was rehabbed and turned into this 1 bedroom home. A large sign rescued from a Payless Shoes store was recently removed from the front facade, by request of the City of Seattle. They’re no fun.	A view of the back of the home. I really like the metal siding on the ground floor.
The old store’s floor space was converted into this dining room/work area. Note the years of grit on the walls.	Just beyond the dining room table is this kitchen area. It has a very modern-eclectic feel.
The first floor bathroom. The space was so tight that you’ll need to pardon my flash.	This first floor office area probably couldn’t be used as a bedroom since you must pass through it to get to the upstairs bedroom.
The one and only bedroom has a large balcony with some nice views.	The second floor bathroom is quite large, given the rest of the home. Make of that what you will.

While we were all sad to see the Rainier Cold Storage Stock House torn down this month, we can take solace in the fact that just a stone’s throw away to the north the old Georgetown City Hall building still stands. Built in 1909, it served Georgetown’s government with the absorption into Seattle taking place the next year. In addition to serving the Seattle Police Department, over the years the building has been used as a baby clinic and a branch of the Seattle Public Library. The building is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Check out the listing, there are some nice nuggets of info including the fact that it was the first building in Georgetown to have both hot and cold running water. Let’s check out a vintage photo from the 1920’s and some modern day shots I took at the site. Click on the images for high-res copies.

This photo from the mid-1920’s shows the Old Georgetown City Hall building in use as a branch of the Seattle Public Library and Police Department. Photograph courtesy PEMCO Webster & Stevens Collection / Museum of History and Industry.	The Old Georgetown City Hall building as it stands today, continuing to be used by the Seattle Police Department. Notice the lamp post still in action but the clock tower heavily altered.
West face of the building. The distinguishing brick quoin reinforces the external edge of the building.	Notice the two different looks to the brick. The wall to the right was probably repaired more recently.
A look at the east face of the building.	Along the same side of the building moving south.
Alternate view of the west face with handicapped accessible ramp.	A large garage door under the double-hung windows.
Alternate view of the east face, facing south.	The entry support columns have etched councilmen names. After an inspection of old photographs, it looks as though this is original.

If you find yourself walking around Pioneer Square and you need help passing the time, I recommend stopping into Fairlook Antiques down on S Washington Street. I dropped in recently and spent hours perusing Mike Fairley’s massive collection of photos, postcards, and other vintage items. Be warned that it’s fairly pricey — so be prepared to drop some coin. Not only will you come away with some great finds but you’ll get to enjoy the St. Charles Hotel Building that Fairlook happens to be located in. This three-story brick building was erected in 1889 just after the Great Fire. The St. Charles did operate as a hotel for many years and now houses the homeless. Click on the images for higher-res copies.

The facade of the building along Washington Street.	Looking up at the St. Charles from the sidewalk.
A view of the left side of the facade. Most windows are one-over-one double hung.	Continuing east leads you to the alley next to the building.
A view of the right side of the building facade.	Wide-angle shot of the building looking east.
Close-up of the building sign.	Alternate view of the sign.
The parapet is offset from the roofline and shows “1889″ in stone.	Viewing the windows in the building alley.
Close-up shot of the brick in the alley.	Alternate shot of the brick and alley.

We are back with Part 2 of our look at the “Royal Residence” selling at 957 22nd Ave on Capitol Hill. If you missed Part 1, you’ll want to go back and check that out to get caught up. There we looked at some historical documents as well as exterior shots of the home. Today I want to concentrate on the interior — so let’s get started.

The first thing you notice when you enter this home are the beautiful oak hardwood floors and their mahogany ribbon around the edges. A mixture of fir floors and carpeting cover the second and third floors. As you continue to walk through this massive 7,000 square foot mansion, nearly every room has something unique. The formal dining room has some incredible box beam ceilings, a curved radiator that follows the rounded bay window, vintage lighting fixtures (one of which was a gift from the King of Norway), and well-kept stained glass windows. The living room has a fireplace tiled by Ernest Batchelder (an influential designer of the American Arts and Crafts Movement) as well as huge windows to welcome that rare Seattle sun. Some of the most detailed millwork I’ve ever seen, original hardware, radiators that can be considered works of art, vintage double-hung windows, a wine cellar, built-ins all over — you name it and this house has it. One of my favorite little historical details was on the inside of a bathroom closet drawer, a penciled listing of the heights of children who grew up in the home. The entries nearly spanned the 100 years that the house has been standing — now that’s just cool.

This is definitely one of the most impressive properties that Anna and I have been able to see first hand — hence the epic photograph collection. Again I want to thank Beth Toomey & Terry Miller of Coldwell Banker Bain and owners Bob & Darlene Erickson for being such gracious hosts. If you are interested in possibly purchasing the home, be sure to check out the listing and the virtual slideshow. So then, let’s get to the photographs, shall we? Click on the picture thumbnails for high-res copies.

The view as you enter the home. The molding and woodwork are absolutely stunning. Notice the silver tray on the table — it is an original piece that was used in the home to collect calling cards in the early 1900’s	Passing through to the right is the living room with a roaring fire. Once again, the light fixtures and molding are absolute treasures.
Close-up shot of the tile-work on the fireplace by Arts & Crafts Movement heavyweight Ernest Batchelder. He was one of the nation’s most celebrated tile makers and his work can be seen in homes from New York to Southern California. One tile not pictured is his signature tile.	A closer look at the lighting fixture from the living room. Period details like this make the home feel very authentic.
Just past the living room is the formal dining room. This has to be the single most impressive room in the home. The woodwork, stained glass, and intricately detailed radiator are all amazing.	The kitchen has a very rustic feel. A wall was blown out in order to make the area larger and to connect it to the “breakfast room.”
This chandelier was a gift from the King of Norway. The then Crown Prince and his family were dinner guests in the dining room in 1939.	A closer look at that incredible curved radiator. This is a pretty extreme example of function meeting art.
The first floor library was used in years past as a reception parlor for guests who had come and deposited their calling card.	The basement houses this large wine cellar. The door hardware and chandelier were handmade by Stuart Kendall of en Clume’ Company. The mural of Le Chateau du Clos de Vougeot is an original watercolor piece by Homer Hacker.
Close-up shot of the oak hardwood floors and mahogany ribbon. This kind of detail can be found throughout the first floor.	This smaller radiator is seated next to the front door. All of the radiators in the home are still in use today.
Heading up the stairs to the second floor, you’ll find this large stained glass window. Also notice the built-in bench at left of frame.	The second floor master suite, with its oversized windows and white wood paneling, is very bright and fresh looking. A large walk-in closet can be found behind the bed.
Close-up shot of the banister with stained glass window in the background.	The stained glass window had to be taken down years ago and reinforced due to its weight.
The dramatic light hitting this molding makes it look even more impressive than it already is.	Detail shot of the fir floors in the second floor office area. Years of wear give these wood floors plenty of character.
This third floor bedroom is just one of six in the home.	The paint color and large windows make this bedroom extremely bright.
This stained glass window is original and has been well cared for and cleaned over the years. The setting sun in the west bathes the dining room in vivid colors.	The living room rivals the dining room for some of the most detailed molding in the home. Georgian Revival Style homes are known for their intricate millwork.
This second floor bathroom still has the original hex tiles and built-in cabinets.	On one cabinet in the bathroom you’ll find this penciled listing of the heights of children who grew up in the home. In this shot you can see entries from as far back as the 1930’s. An awesome find.
Detail shot of the tile to wood floor transition from the bathroom to office.	An alternate shot of the oak hardwood floors from the first story.
You didn’t really think I could resist taking just one more shot of those incredible radiators, did you? These are enough to make you forget forced-air forever.	Close-up shot of further detailed woodwork on the first floor. The architectural elements from the porch columns are repeated inside the home.

We all know about Capitol Hill’s “Millionaires’ Row” around 15th Ave, but there are also a number of equally high-end homes closer to 23rd. Anna and I were fortunate enough to get a private tour of one such residence currently selling at 957 22nd Ave. I will refer to it as the “Royal Residence” because in 1939 the Crown Prince and Princess of Norway stayed at the home while visiting the Puget Sound. This sprawling 7,000 square foot palace was built in 1909 for C.H.G. and Anna Stoltenberg and designed by architect Orison Dickinson. Stoltenberg was the Secretary Treasurer of Puget Navigation Company and the International Steamship Company. Amazingly, there have only been four owners since the home was built nearly 100 years ago. In 1926, ownership changed hands to Haaken Friele, a prominent international businessman. The Friele family hosted many extravagant parties in the home, including a dinner party in 1939 attended by the King Of Norway, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt (the president’s daughter), and the Governor. In fact, the chandelier and sconces in the dining room were gifts from the King of Norway. You may be saying “wow” right now just as I was when I toured this home. Now there’s a story to tell dinner guests! The Georgian Revival Style home is now selling for $3.4 million, so if you are in the market check out the listing and virtual slide show. This property is far too impressive to hold to just one posting, so I’ve divided it up into two sections. This is Part 1 detailing the exterior and historic documents and Part 2 has be posted where we take a look inside the home. I want to thank Beth Toomey & Terry Miller of Coldwell Banker Bain and current owners Bob & Darlene Erickson for touring us around the home. Click on the thumbnails for larger images.

The first thing you notice as you see the home from the street is the side-gabled roof, oversized front porch, and repeated use of modillion course, both common in Georgian Revival homes.	The Georgian Revival Style homes are usually larger than the original Colonial iterations with many of the elements oversized. With the influence of Queen Anne Style, porches and dormers were enlarged.
The north face of the property yields a closer view of the thin clapboards and chimney.	The chimney detail closely matches the rest of the house. Also notice the curved bay window.
The front door is usually the centerpiece on a Georgian Revival, and this door knocker makes it so. You may recognize it from an episode of Harry Rinker’s popular show The Collector Inspector on Home & Garden Television. The current owners gave the show permission to film their door.	A detail shot of the north face of the home. As you’ll see from the interior images, these massive windows light the home well.
This close-up of the north face again shows the clapboard siding.	The back of the home features this porch and attached garage. The home backs right up to the alley, leaving no room for a back yard. This isn’t surprising, given the 7,000 square feet of the house.
The dental molding catches the eye on the exterior of the home. The flag pole looks ready for a State of Washington flag (or perhaps a Norwegian flag).	Close-up of the back face of the residence shows more ornate molding and the elaborate beamed porch.
A detail shot of the modillion course.	The detail work on the porch alone is impressive.
The front porch is supported by these beautiful Ionic capitals.	This Close-up shot of the columns shows them to be in excellent condition.
1931 tax document for the home. H.B. Friele is listed as the then current owner and a (thankfully wrong) future life of just 27 years.	This 1970’s era document shows the assessed valuation of the property.
This King County property record shows a planned addition.	An article from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer in 1939 detailing the impending visit of Crown Prince Olav and Princess Martha of Norway. An avid skier, Prince Olav won a gold medal at the 1928 Summer Olympic Games. He was made King of Norway in 1957 and died in 1991.

The current housing market may be slow, but there are still a number of interesting vintage properties on the market. This past weekend Anna and I packed up the gear and took a walk through the now-selling 1415 East Marion. The home was built in 1900, boasts 4 bed, 2.5 bath, nearly 4000 square feet, and is going for $849,000. The listing states the property is in Capitol Hill, but it’s actually not (boy do those listing agents blur the neighborhood lines or what?). Let’s move right onto the photos. Click on the images for full resolution. By the way, I just installed Photoshop CS3 and I love the new Adobe RAW features. If you’re into HDR photography, give it a look.

Establishing shot of the home from the curb.	Moving closer to the front entry.
The driveway leads along the east side of the home toward the detached garage.	The back of the home where you can see the addition.
Close-up of a pillar support on the front porch.	The front entryway into the home. The hardwood floors are new on the first floor.
The dining room area, to the left is the kitchen, while straight ahead is the “mother-in-law” addition.	The living room is along the front of the house. Like many century old floor plans, the rooms are very chopped up.
This area on the back end of the house was not part of the original home. It is now used as a guest suite.	The bathroom of the guest suite has this oddly placed claw foot tub embedded into the floor.
Light fixtures in the property are impressive.	Close-up of the first floor hardwood floors and skirting board.
A view of the kitchen. Note the painted cabinets and 1970’s era tile (tacky or unique depending on your POV).	Heading up the stairs leads you to this master bedroom.
Also on the second floor is this well lit sun room. Notice the painted hardwood floors.	French doors from the sun room lead to this large porch with view.
Most of the woodwork in the home is original and has been restored.	Zooming in on the tile from the kitchen counter. The look is sure to polarize.
A view from the top of the stairs. On the left is the sun room and straight ahead is the master bathroom.	The master bathroom, complete with one of my favorites — hex tile.
Close-up of the tile work in the bathroom.	On the outside of the home you’ll find this old coal chute.

Hot on the heels of our Remembering The Coliseum Theater recollection from former projectionist Mike Lewis, James Brock wrote in last week on the 102nd birthday of the theater. He wanted to share the eulogy he wrote for the theater after it closed in 1990. I’ve printed it in its entirety along with an image of the building today. (more…)