Seattle Historical Sites

Summary for 1605 E Madison ST E / Parcel ID 7234600545 / Inv #

Historic Name: Olympian Apartments Common Name: Olympian Apartments Style: Beaux Arts - Neoclassical Neighborhood: Central Area Built By: Year Built: 1913   Significance In the opinion of the survey, this property appears to meet the criteria of the National Register of Historic Places. In the opinion of the survey, this property appears to meet the criteria of the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Ordinance. Designed in 1913 by William P. White, this was considered on of the finest apartment buildings of its day located in a very fashionable neighborhood. It is particularly notable for its size and terra cotta ornament, and it remains a good example of neoclassical architecture. According to the Seattle Daily Bulletin (February 17, 1913) it was one of the finest apartment buildings to be located in the Renton Hill area, where it was surrounded by mansions of the elite. By the late 1920s many of those houses were becoming multifamily, and more apartment buildings were being built. The area was especially attractive for its views and the convenient Madison Street car line to both downtown and Lake Washington. Architect William P. White practiced in Seattle from 1902 until 1922. He was particularly noted for his elegant apartment buildings and hotels, including the Kinnear Apartments on Queen Anne and the Calhoun Hotel downtown.   Appearance This five-story building is of reinforced concrete with buff brick cladding. It has an irregular shape, with a deep narrow entry court and other light wells, to maximize light and air to each unit. The first floor is clad in cream-colored terra cotta, with a low terra cotta wall and gateway in the entry court. The ornate arched doorway is surrounded with the same material. The top floor is also ornamented, with terra cotta cladding, a heavy belt course, and a prominent cornice with large dentils. There are several terra cotta balconets with terra cotta corbels. A modern penthouse has been added, and some of the top-floor windows have been replaced. However, other windows are original six-over-one wood sash.

Detail for 1605 E Madison ST E / Parcel ID 7234600545 / Inv #

Status: Yes - Inventory Classication: Building District Status: INV Cladding(s): Brick, Terra cotta Foundation(s): Concrete - Poured Roof Type(s): Flat with Parapet Roof Material(s): Other Building Type: Domestic - Multiple Family Plan: Irregular Structural System: Steel No. of Stories: five Unit Theme(s): Architecture/Landscape Architecture Integrity Changes to Original Cladding: Intact Changes to Interior: Unknown Changes to Windows: Slight Changes to Plan: Slight Major Bibliographic References King County Tax Assessor Rolls (1892-1910), Washington State Archives Seattle Daily Bulletin, February 17, 1913. Shaping Seattle Architecture: A Historical Guide to the Architects. Jeffrey Karl Ochsner, ed. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1994.

Photo collection for 1605 E Madison ST E / Parcel ID 7234600545 / Inv #

Photo taken Mar 22, 2006