Seattle Historical Sites

Summary for 215 2nd AVE / Parcel ID 5247800660 / Inv #

Historic Name: Lucknow Building/ Ruggles Building Common Name: Lucknow Building; Lucknow/ Waterfall Place; Lucknow Ruggles Building Style: Commercial - Chicago School Neighborhood: Pioneer Square Built By: Year Built: 1900   Significance In the opinion of the survey, this property is located in a potential historic districe (National and/or local). Known originally as the Lucknow, and later as the Ruggles Building, 215 2nd Avenue South, is now officially known as “Lucknow/Waterfall Place.” It dates from 1900. In terms of design, it is typical of well-designed warehouse buildings in the district of the same period, but has distinguishing ornamental detailing that stands out. It marks the economic and industrial resurgence of the former “burnt district” after the Economic Panic of 1893, which came about in large part as a result of the Klondike Gold Rush and the railroads. Some of the detailing, the curved brick frame around the bays, recalls work by Boone and Corner from the same period, so it is possible that they are responsible for this building, but there is no known architect. Tax Assessor’s records also suggest that this building, along with several others in district, was owned by Albert Hambach. Hambach was a successful wholesale dealer in steam and plumbing supplies and had owned property or commissioned buildings in the former “burnt district” since 1898. Hambach also commissioned the Hambach Warehouse building, now Masin’s (Northwest Hotel Supply) on Second Avenue in 1904, the Westland Building in 1907, and by 1913, the Hambach Building. The Lucknow Building was renamed the Ruggles Building, after later owners, Ruggles Incorporated and that name was used in the 1969/1970 National Register Nomination for the district. The building, including its façade, was carefully rehabilitated in 1979 by Thomas Downey and Associates, Architects with Stickney & Murphy Architects as consulting architects and structural consultant Ratti/Fossatti Associates. The client and owner at the time was Historic Seattle.   Appearance The Lucknow/ Ruggles Building is a four story building with a main façade on the Second Avenue South. Divided into three bays, the façade is clad in brick and terra cotta. Structurally, walls are of brick with a wooden post and beam interior. There is a full basement, as well. The ground level has three wood framed storefront bays with transom lights. Above this, is an egg-and-dart band, topped by a terra cotta band with a running Greek key motif. At the upper levels, three recessed vertical bays are outlined by a brick band that is curved in section (in the horizontal direction at the top and vertically at the sided of each bay). This detail is also used by Boone and Corner, in the design of the vertical bays of the Seattle Quilt Building (formerly the Walker Building), on First Avenue South and on the Chapin Building, as well (part of the current Court in the Square). Each bay has two large rectangular pivoting windows per floor. The building is topped by a projecting cornice with stylized brackets and a large central rectangle with the words: “THE LUCKNOW.” The south elevation, not meant to be a façade, looks onto Waterfall Garden. It has segmental arched openings and has been stuccoed.

Detail for 215 2nd AVE / Parcel ID 5247800660 / Inv #

Status: Yes - Inventory Classication: Building District Status: NR, LR Cladding(s): Brick, Stucco, Terra cotta Foundation(s): Concrete - Poured Roof Type(s): Flat with Parapet Roof Material(s): Asphalt/Composition Building Type: Commercial/Trade - Warehouse Plan: Rectangular Structural System: Masonry - Unreinforced No. of Stories: four Unit Theme(s): Architecture/Landscape Architecture, Commerce, Community Planning/Development Integrity Changes to Original Cladding: Slight Changes to Plan: Intact Storefront: Slight Major Bibliographic References Lange, Greg and Tim O’Brian, “Virtual Pioneer Square,” unpublished manuscript, 27 October 1996. Tobin, Carol. Downtown Seattle Walking Tours. Seattle: City of Seattle, 1985.

Photo collection for 215 2nd AVE / Parcel ID 5247800660 / Inv #

Photo taken Jun 08, 2004