Summary for 1616 NE 50TH ST NE / Parcel ID 8823901065 / Inv # 0 |
| Historic Name: |
Alpha Chi Omega Sorority |
Common Name: |
Alpha Xi Delta Sorority |
| Style: |
Tudor |
Neighborhood: |
University |
| Built By: |
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Year Built: |
1927 |
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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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This Greek Row chapter house was constructed in 1926 for the Alpha Chi Omega sorority and was designed by Seattle architect Howard H. Riley. It is a good example of a Tudor Revival style sorority building, and the exterior is relatively intact, unlike most other Greek Row buildings. This building was the home of Tau Phi Delta Fraternity in the 1960s.
The Alpha Xi Delta sorority was originally located at 4541 19th Avenue NE, in a sorority house built in 1924, now Chabad House (severely altered). The Alpha Xi Delta sorority moved here in the 1970s. Alterations to the building were made in 1972 and in 1975-1976.
Seattle architect Howard H. Riley designed the eight-story Brooklyn Building, which was on the southwest corner of Brooklyn Avenue NE and NE 45th Street. The Brooklyn Building was completed in 1929 and demolished in the 1970s for the construction of the Safeco Building. Riley also designed several apartment buildings on Capitol Hill and First Hill and the Fremont Baptist Church in the 1920s. Howard H. Riley worked in Seattle from 1914 until 1950. He was associated with Edwin Ivey from 1919-1921.
Additional Reference:
Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, Historic Preservation Program, card files on Seattle architects.
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.
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| Appearance |
| This two-and-one-half story sorority building occupies a prominent site on the corner of NE 50th Street and 17th Avenue NE. It is a Tudor Revival style building clad in a combination of brick veneer, stucco and stucco with false half-timbering detail. The building has a hipped roof, with cross gable roof and building extension on the south (main) and north elevations. On the east elevation, there are double gables clad with stucco and half-timbering on the upper floors that extend out from the main roof. The arched entrance has cast-stone ornament. The windows are multi-paned metal casements and appear to be original. The rows of multi-paned casement windows, particularly on the first floor, are an attractive feature of the building. There are two interior chimneys. |
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Detail for 1616 NE 50TH ST NE / Parcel ID 8823901065 / Inv # 0 |
| Status: |
Yes - Inventory |
| Classication: |
Building |
District Status: |
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| Cladding(s): |
Brick, Stucco |
Foundation(s): |
Concrete - Poured |
| Roof Type(s): |
Gable, Hip |
Roof Material(s): |
Asphalt/Composition |
| Building Type: |
Domestic - Institutional Housing |
Plan: |
Rectangular |
| 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: |
Intact |
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Changes to Windows: |
Intact |
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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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Nielsen, Roy. UniverCity: The Story of The University District in Seattle. Seattle: University Lions Foundation, 1986.
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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 1616 NE 50TH ST NE / Parcel ID 8823901065 / Inv # 0 |
Photo taken Feb 09, 2002
Photo taken Oct 01, 2014
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