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Summary for 301 Broad ST / Parcel ID 0656000306 / Inv #

Historic Name: Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Common Name: Car-Toys
Style: Modern - International Style Neighborhood: Belltown
Built By: Year Built: 1957
 
Significance
This rather elegant Modernistic building has been converted from its original use as an insurance company headquarters to an auto supply dealer and installer. The 2-story building was designed in 1957 by John Graham, Jr., for the Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Company. The north edge of Belltown and the adjacent Lower Queen Anne neighborhood were underdeveloped compared to nearby denser areas, and when the post-war economy recovered sufficiently these areas proved to be fertile ground for construction of small commercial buildings. The 1962 World’s Fair, located only blocks away, also spurred development in the 1950s-60s. It is of concrete block and steel construction, with concrete vertical elements separating the glazed bays on the front and rear, and ceramic tile cladding. It has been altered by the insertion of two large garage doors on the east elevation; the interior has also been altered to accommodate vehicles. The change in use illustrates both the increasing importance of the automobile, but the decline in office use on this very busy auto-oriented street.
 
Appearance

Detail for 301 Broad ST / Parcel ID 0656000306 / Inv #

Status: No - Altered
Classication: Building District Status:
Cladding(s): Ceramic tile, Concrete Foundation(s): Concrete - Poured
Roof Type(s): Flat Roof Material(s): Unknown
Building Type: Commercial/Trade - Business Plan: Rectangular
Structural System: Concrete - Block No. of Stories: two
Unit Theme(s): Commerce
Integrity
Changes to Windows: Slight
Changes to Plan: Extensive
Changes to Original Cladding: Moderate
Major Bibliographic References
King County Tax Assessor Records, ca. 1932-1972.
City of Seattle, Department of Planning and Development, Microfilm Records.

Photo collection for 301 Broad ST / Parcel ID 0656000306 / Inv #


Photo taken Jul 04, 2006
App v2.0.1.0