Seattle Historical Sites

Summary for 418 E Loretta PL E / Parcel ID 744950-0005 / Inv #

Historic Name: Biltmore Apartments Common Name: Biltmore Apartments Style: Tudor Neighborhood: Capitol Hill Built By: Year Built: 1924   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. This large, ornate apartment building was constructed in 1924 for a local real estate investor, Stephen Berg. The architects were Bertram Dudley Stuart (1885-1977) and Arthur Wheatley, who were among the city's most prominent apartment designers in the 1920s. Other works include the Exeter House, the Bergonian Hotel (also owned by Berg, and now the Mayflower Hotel), the Marlborough Apartments and several fraternity and sorority houses. The partnership ended with the decline of apartment construction in 1930, and Stuart worked for Robert Durham until his death in 1977. This is one of the larger buildings constructed in this part of Capitol Hill during Seattle's major construction boom during the 1920s. The city's population has increased dramatically in previous decades, and prosperity encouraged developers to meet the pent-up demand for housing. Apartments, ranging from basic housing to luxury units, were a significant factor in meeting this need, and became a major element of the streetscape in many Seattle neighborhoods.   Appearance This large building looks rather like a medieval castle when seen from a distance. It is seven stories, clad with brownish brick with extensive beige terra cotta ornamentation. There is a narrow entry courtyard facing south, onto a minor street. The east façade, facing larger streets, is most heavily ornamented, with a three-sided hanging bay extending from the second to sixth stories, clad mostly in terra cotta. Two other bays on this elevation have arrow-shaped terra cotta pilasters and spandrels. The center bays on the south elevation of the wings have a similar treatment; these bays contain open staircases with iron railings. Other terra cotta included windows sills, a water table, a belt course above the top floor windows and medallions in the gabled parapet. A very distinctive feature is at the southeast corner, which is rounded with a crenellated top. The northeast corner has a similar bay with a square top. Originally there was a tall narrow tower above the entry, but this have been removed. Windows are original wood six-over-one sash. The west elevation is concrete; a new building is under construction next door.

Detail for 418 E Loretta PL E / Parcel ID 744950-0005 / Inv #

Status: Yes - Inventory Classication: Building District Status: Cladding(s): Brick, Concrete, Terra cotta Foundation(s): Concrete - Poured Roof Type(s): Flat with Parapet Roof Material(s): Unknown Building Type: Domestic - Multiple Family Plan: Unknown Structural System: Concrete - Poured No. of Stories: six Unit Theme(s): Architecture/Landscape Architecture Integrity Changes to Plan: Intact Changes to Original Cladding: Intact Changes to Windows: Intact Major Bibliographic References Shaping Seattle Architecture: A Historical Guide to the Architects. Jeffrey Karl Ochsner, ed. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1994. King County Tax Assessor Records, ca. 1932-1972. City of Seattle, Department of Planning and Development, Microfilm Records.

Photo collection for 418 E Loretta PL E / Parcel ID 744950-0005 / Inv #

Photo taken Photo taken Mar 30, 2006 Photo taken Mar 30, 2006