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Summary for 320 Cedar ST / Parcel ID 0656000370 / Inv #

Historic Name: Cedar Apartments Common Name: Watermarke at the Regrade
Style: Beaux Arts - Neoclassical Neighborhood: Belltown
Built By: Year Built: 1908
 
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 ornate building pre-dates the period of heavy apartment that occurred following World War I. It was built in 1908 for the Olinder Brothers (permit #65819), who have not been identified. The architect is not noted on the building permit. It was originally called Cedar Apartments. It was named Center Court Apartments in 1989, when it was removated by Driscoll Architects for owner Triad Development Corporation. Changes were minimal and the exterior was not altered. This was built shortly after the regrade was completed in this area. Denny Hill had blocked the city’s northward progress, and its regrading between 1898 and 1911 opened this area up for development and numerous apartment buildings were built to meet the acute housing need. In only twenty years, Seattle’s population had exploded from 80,671 (1900) to 315,312 (1920). These buildings provided modest but comfortable accommodations that were affordable for the sales clerks, clerical staff and other workers in downtown businesses. They remain a very important part of the historic character of Belltown.
 
Appearance
This is an unusually ornate building, of brick construction with red brick facing. Paneled wood spandrels mark the center sections of each of the three bays on the main (south) façade. The entry in the center is flanked by two pairs of Ionic columns, with wrought iron balconies on the two floors above. The building is crowned by a very deep cornice with large curved brackets. The windows have dark aluminium one-over-one sash.

Detail for 320 Cedar ST / Parcel ID 0656000370 / Inv #

Status: Yes - Inventory
Classication: Building District Status:
Cladding(s): Brick, Wood Foundation(s): Concrete - Poured
Roof Type(s): Flat with Parapet Roof Material(s): Unknown
Building Type: Domestic - Multiple Family Plan: U-Shape
Structural System: No. of Stories: three
Unit Theme(s): Architecture/Landscape Architecture
Integrity
Changes to Plan: Intact
Changes to Original Cladding: Intact
Changes to Windows: 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 320 Cedar ST / Parcel ID 0656000370 / Inv #


Photo taken Mar 18, 2007

Photo taken Mar 18, 2007
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