Seattle Historical Sites

Summary for 1101 17th AVE / Parcel ID 5245100000 / Inv #

Historic Name: Mayfair Manor Common Name: Mayfair Manor Style: Tudor Neighborhood: Central Area Built By: Year Built: 1928   Significance In the opinion of the survey, this property is located in a potential historic districe (National and/or local). Mayfair Manor is one of several apartment buildings constructed in this block in 1928-29. Although they were designed and built by three different firms, they share their exuberant designs and appropriate scale. This is the only one designed and built by the firm of E. A. Gabryel & Company. It is also the largest and most subdued of the group. The others are the Colonial Revival/Modern Barbara Frietchie on the opposite corner, the Fleur de Lis (French), Carmona (Mediterranean Revival), the Betsy Ross, the Margola (Mayan) and the Martha Anne (Art Deco). They are in vivid contrast to the more typical brick-clad buildings with Tudor- or Gothic inspired terra cotta ornament. These buildings are good examples of the major construction Seattle experienced during the 1920s. The city's population had 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. This is a fine example of the design attention paid to many of these buildings, where detailing and materials were used to reduce the impact of larger structures. This neighborhood, known as Renton Hill, had been the site of many fine homes early in the century. By the late 1920s many of those houses were becoming multifamily, and apartment buildings were being built. The area was especially attractive for its views and the convenient Madison Street car line to both downtown and Lake Washington.   Appearance Mayfair Manor is a 46' x 104' solid brick apartment building that commands the north side of the street due to its length. It has a hipped roof and a dramatic pyramidal tower at its entrance at the northwest corner of 17th and Spring, ssaid to evoke an Elizabethan manor house. Decorative windows in the main façade have a geometric pattern of stylized flowers. The long expanse along Spring Street is broken by a series of four stucco towers with crenelated parapets and half-timbered gables, and small hipped dormers set into the roof. The building originally had a tile roof, but tiles remain only on the corner tower. The tower is flanked by two steep gabled bays, clad with stucco and half-timbered detailing. Windows throughout are newer metal sash.

Detail for 1101 17th AVE / Parcel ID 5245100000 / Inv #

Status: Yes - Inventory Classication: Building District Status: INV Cladding(s): Brick, Stucco Foundation(s): Concrete - Poured Roof Type(s): Gable Roof Material(s): Asphalt/Composition Building Type: Domestic - Multiple Family Plan: Rectangular Structural System: Brick No. of Stories: three Unit Theme(s): Architecture/Landscape Architecture Integrity Other: Changes to Plan: Intact Changes to Original Cladding: Intact Changes to Windows: Extensive Major Bibliographic References King County Property Record Card (c. 1938-1972), Washington State Archives. City of Seattle, Department of Planning and Development, Microfilm Records.

Photo collection for 1101 17th AVE / Parcel ID 5245100000 / Inv #

Photo taken Mar 22, 2006 Photo taken Jul 01, 1991 Photo taken Aug 03, 1979 Photo taken Aug 03, 1979