Summary for 5701 AIRPORT WAY / Parcel ID 1416300075 / Inv # 0 |
| Historic Name: |
Forsyth Building |
Common Name: |
Forsyth Hotel |
| Style: |
Commercial |
Neighborhood: |
Georgetown |
| Built By: |
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Year Built: |
1909 |
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| Significance |
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In the opinion of the survey, this property appears to meet the criteria of the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Ordinance. |
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Based on field work conducted in September 2014, this historic property retains its relationship to the streetscape, historic building form and a sufficient amount of exterior historic building fabric (design features, cladding and/or window sash/openings) to contribute to the distinct historic character of the Georgetown neighborhood. This is a particularly well-preserved historic property that appears to possess architectural and/or historic significance.
(1997) This property is associated with the residential and commercial building boom in Georgetown which occurred between 1890 and 1916. Fueled by the construction of the Seattle Brewing and Malting Company’s new brewing facility after the turn of the century and the arrival of foreign immigrants, especially German and Italian, Georgetown came to rely more on its commercial and industrial bases rather than agricultural. With the increase of industry and business, Georgetown had grown in population from 1,913 in 1900 to approximately 7,000 by 1910 as families located themselves near its factories and other places of employment. Mark F. Forsyth is known to have owned this building by 1915 and appears to have operated M.F. Forsyth & Co. (Real Estate, Loans, and Insurance) at this address by 1911. The upper floor level may have functioned as a hotel originally.
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| Appearance |
This property has undergone a major rehabiltation project since identified in the 1997 HRI project. The building form is preserved and all of the character defining features and historic building fabric have been carefully repaired or replaced in kind. It is a particularly well-preserved and distinctive historic property.
(1997) A deteriorating and altered example of a two-part, wood frame commercial design. Exhibits a nearly symmetrical commercial storefront with recessed entryways at each corner, altered large display and transom windows (now covered or infilled), a prominent cornice/parapet, and standard double-hung window openings. The form of the building is a basic two story flat roof commercial vernacular building type. Windows at the upper floor and storefront have been altered and/or removed. Original cladding (clapboard), corner boards and coping are currently covered (or removed) by brick pattern asphalt siding. An unusual rock-face concrete block wall (a fire wall) is situated at the south elevation. The original wooden cornice with small brackets is in place, however in a deteriorated condition. Three original storefront level entry doors appear to remain in place. Approximately eight apartments and two separate commercial spaces were historically situated in the building. This building exhibits structural problems and deterioration. |
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Detail for 5701 AIRPORT WAY / Parcel ID 1416300075 / Inv # 0 |
| Status: |
Yes - Inventory |
| Classication: |
Building |
District Status: |
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| Cladding(s): |
Concrete - Block, Other, Vertical - Boards |
Foundation(s): |
Concrete - Poured |
| Roof Type(s): |
Flat |
Roof Material(s): |
Unknown |
| Building Type: |
Commercial/Trade - Business |
Plan: |
Irregular |
| Structural System: |
Balloon Frame/Platform Frame |
No. of Stories: |
two |
| Unit Theme(s): |
Architecture/Landscape Architecture, Commerce, Community Planning/Development |
| Integrity |
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Changes to Plan: |
Intact |
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Changes to Windows: |
Slight |
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Changes to Original Cladding: |
Extensive |
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| Major Bibliographic References |
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King County Property Record Card (c. 1938-1972), Washington State Archives.
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Polk's Seattle Directories, 1890-1996.
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O'Brian, Tim. "Georgetown Historical Places" Construction Chronology.
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Photo collection for 5701 AIRPORT WAY / Parcel ID 1416300075 / Inv # 0 |
Photo taken Sep 09, 2014
Photo taken Sep 09, 2014
Photo taken Mar 24, 1997
Photo taken Mar 17, 1997
Photo taken Mar 21, 1997
Photo taken Mar 21, 1997
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