that old house
A few years ago, I remember hearing that the house on the corner of Harvard and Denny was on it’s way out to make room for new residential developments. It was the sort of thing where there was a vague possibility that someone would save the historic structure by buying it for a dollar and taking it elsewhere. There were rumblings of getting the house to be granted landmark status to prevent it’s destruction.
Cynic that I am, I assumed that the house didn’t stand a chance of survival. As construction on the new development started, I noticed the boarded-up house and thought that it was just a sign that demolition was imminent.
However, when I passed the corner last week I paused to look more closely at the site plan. It turns out that the house, the former home of Alexander Pantages (the man behind the most successful chain of vaudeville theaters, and the largest independently owned movie theaters and vaudeville houses in the United States!) was going to be integrated into the design for the new affordable housing project.
I was more than a little surprised to find out that much of this had been settled years ago when I looked up the history of the site. Apparently, wheels were in motion in 2002 (”House Built for Movie-House Mogul Saved!” [cityofseattle.net]) to preserve the house for the ages.
Yeah, I was similarly cynical, and similarly impressed to see that they saved the building.
Yep, like you I’ve been watching this one for several years. I adore this house and I’m thrilled that they’re not only keeping it but completely refurbishing it. Isn’t the surrounding apartment complex going to be low(er) cost housing? That’s also a win.
I suppose that the sage green paint job shown in the artist’s mock-up is more historically accurate, but I have to admit I preferred the cheerful yellow it used to be …
The same architects (SMR Architects) were responsible for the rehabilitation of the
Bel-Boy mansions http://www.historicseattle.org/projects/projectdetail.aspx?id=2
and the Phillips house
http://www.historicseattle.org/projects/projectdetail.aspx?id=22
They were also converted to low-income housing.
Cat: It’s being developed by CHHIP for low-income housing — I agree. It’s another benefit.
I guess I’m just all around surprised about how well this thing seems to be turning out that I won’t mind the sad change from yellow to green paint.
kelly:
now I’ll just need to think of an excuse to take a look inside once it’s finished to fully extinguish my skepticism.
christina:
Thanks for the extra info!
The property had an open house yesterday.
The house is now part of 49 income and rent restricted units run by Capital Hill Housing Improvement Program CHHIP.
Artwork was unveiled including cool ghostly figures saluting the house’s history of housing vaudiville performers. Look for monkey near one of the gates.