Historic Name: |
Century House Motor Hotel |
Common Name: |
La Quinta Inn |
Style: |
Modern |
Neighborhood: |
Denny Triangle |
Built By: |
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Year Built: |
1960 |
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Significance |
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This 7-story motor hotel, originally known as the Century House Motor Hotel, was built in 1960, shortly before the 1962 Century 21 Exposition at the nearby Seattle Center. The 1950s-60s was a period of intensive motel development in this vicinity. This area was ideally located between Aurora Avenue (SR 99) and downtown Seattle, so owners could take advantage of the popularity of auto travel following the austerity of the Depression and World War II, and the 1962 world’s fair provided additional impetus. These blocks had been regraded just as the Depression began, so little development had occurred and property was considerably less expensive than downtown, so that ample parking and landscaping could be provided.
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Appearance |
This motel is taller than its neighbors, much like a hotel on stilts, with interior hallways. The concrete base has a distinctive Neoexpressionist curve that evokes the 1960s. The main volume is T-shaped, with the western section extending over the driveway to form a sheltered area for cars, demonstrating the auto-orientation of the motor hotel form. The windows have been replaced with modern vinyl sash. |
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