Summary for 4535 17TH AVE / Parcel ID 8823902385 / Inv # 0 |
| Historic Name: |
Theta Chi Fraternity |
Common Name: |
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| Style: |
Other |
Neighborhood: |
University |
| Built By: |
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Year Built: |
1931 |
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| Significance |
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In the opinion of the survey, this property is located in a potential historic districe (National and/or local). |
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Based on field work conducted in October 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 character of the University Park neighborhood.
(2002)This fraternity building exemplifies an intimate, romantic version of the Collegiate Gothic style and shows a French Norman influence. The 1964 addition, across the alley from the original building, was designed by John Rushmore & Associates. The house was built during the Depression by workers in the Civilian Conservation Corps. There have been numerous additions and interior changes over the years; only the front section is original. However, the building still retains its basic character and has a small scale that is an attractive feature in this block of 17th Avenue NE, the most important area of the University of Washington's Greek Row.
The Theta Chi Fraternity is the only Greek Row structure designed by Seattle architect Walter W. Lund. Walter W. Lund worked in Seattle from the 1920s until at least the 1940s. From 1927-1930, he worked for architect Robert C. Reamer. Late he worked as an architect for BA Company. He designed a house for Jack McDaniel between Three Tree Point and Seahurst in 1933 in a Tudor Revival design.
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| Appearance |
This property exhibits no substantive changes to the exterior appearance since it was identified in the 2002 HRI project.
(2002) This L-shaped brick clad Collegiate Gothic design reflects a French Norman influence. There is a large open patio created by the L-shaped plan. The main entry is through a distinctive, castle-like turret. There is a copper hood over the main door and above the bay windows on the east and northeast elevations. The bay windows have diamond-patterned leaded glass and some stained glass picture inserts. The building features interesting brick patterning, especially around the main door. The hipped roof is steeply pitched with shed dormers and gabled dormers.
Most of the windows are the original multi-paned casement windows, although the windows on the north and some on the west elevation are new. There is a new deck on the west elevation.
The 1964 addition is located across the alley from the original building and is connected by a skybridge. Some changes to the north elevation and the skybridge were made in 1992.
The Theta Chi Fraternity is on an attractive site, with an extensive lawn area in front. It blends well with the other Greek Row buildings in this block of 17th Avenue NE. |
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Detail for 4535 17TH AVE / Parcel ID 8823902385 / Inv # 0 |
| Status: |
Yes - Inventory |
| Classication: |
Building |
District Status: |
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| Cladding(s): |
Brick |
Foundation(s): |
Concrete - Poured |
| Roof Type(s): |
Hip |
Roof Material(s): |
Wood - Shingle |
| Building Type: |
Domestic - Institutional Housing |
Plan: |
L-Shape |
| Structural System: |
Balloon Frame/Platform Frame |
No. of Stories: |
two & ½ |
| Unit Theme(s): |
Architecture/Landscape Architecture, Social Movements & Organizations |
| Integrity |
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Changes to Plan: |
Slight |
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Changes to Windows: |
Slight |
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Changes to Original Cladding: |
Intact |
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| Major Bibliographic References |
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City of Seattle DCLU Microfilm Records.
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King County Property Record Card (c. 1938-1972), Washington State Archives.
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Johnston, Norman, “Row Show,” Columns, September 2001 (pp. 30-36).
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Johnston, Norman, "Where the Greeks Came Marching In: Their 'Row' at the University of Washington." Unpublished manuscript for Columbia Magazine. Forthcoming 2002.
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Divoky, Andrea. Notes on University of Washington Fraternities and Sororities, compiled in 1997 and updated in 2002.
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Photo collection for 4535 17TH AVE / Parcel ID 8823902385 / Inv # 0 |
Photo taken Jan 25, 2002
Photo taken
Photo taken Oct 01, 2014
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