Seattle Historical Sites

Summary for 109 NE 42nd ST NE / Parcel ID 4206901655 / Inv #

Historic Name: Common Name: Style: Commercial, Vernacular Neighborhood: Wallingford Built By: Year Built: 1928   Significance This narrow, two-part commercial block was erected in 1928. It was designed and built by the firm that owned the property, Hakauson Inc. (1424 N. 45th St.). Initially it was a mixed-use structure consisting of a shop space at street level and an apartment above. Interior alterations were made by the current owner, Jonathan Cohen, in 1986. The structure was remodeled again in 2000. The lower floor is apparently no longer used as a shop space. The Assessor's record seems to indicate that the structure is now used as a duplex. A simple frame shop that stood next door to the east seems no longer to be extant. The building is significant as a reminder of the initial retail service system that served the Wallingford community. Although this small mixed-use structure has been modified, it maintains much of its original character and appearance, contrasts with the typical pattern of residential development in its immediate vicinity, and is able to convey its significance as a representative early 20th century commercial building.   Appearance This building is a two-story frame structure with brick and stucco veneer on a concrete foundation. The building does not have a basement. The street (north) façade is faced with brick in a simple running bond. A small retail concern once occupied the left side (easternmost three quarters) of the main floor. Initially this shop space was entered through a door in the westernmost bay of the storefront; however this doorway has since been removed and the ceramic tile-faced spandrel/curb under the storefront has been extend to the west to fill the opening. To the right (west) of the storefront is a doorway that almost certainly opened into a stair corridor leading to the second floor apartment. It appears this door now serves both the upper and lower floors. The upper story apartment is lit by a single double hung window over the doorway, and a larger gang of three double hung windows symmetrically arranged and centered over the storefront. A cast stone sill is situated under each of the upper floor window assemblies (a similar sill may once have been located under the storefront windows as wel)l. The brick parapet is notched in the middle half of its length allowing roof tiles supported by a canted wood ledger to "spill" over the edge of the roof. The roof tiles have since been replaced with asphalt composition shingles. The stuccoed side walls of the structure are punctured occasionally and asymmetrically by wood double hung windows of various sizes. Despite numerous minor modifications and two interior remodels, the building maintains much of its original character.

Detail for 109 NE 42nd ST NE / Parcel ID 4206901655 / Inv #

Status: Yes - Inventory Classication: Building District Status: Cladding(s): Brick, Ceramic tile, Stucco, Wood Foundation(s): Concrete - Poured Roof Type(s): Flat with Parapet Roof Material(s): Asphalt/Composition Building Type: Commercial/Trade - Specialty store Plan: Rectangular Structural System: Balloon Frame/Platform Frame No. of Stories: two Unit Theme(s): Architecture/Landscape Architecture, Commerce, Community Planning/Development Integrity Changes to Plan: Moderate Storefront: Slight Changes to Windows: Intact Changes to Original Cladding: Intact Major Bibliographic References City of Seattle DCLU Microfilm Records. King County Property Record Card (c. 1938-1972), Washington State Archives.

Photo collection for 109 NE 42nd ST NE / Parcel ID 4206901655 / Inv #

Photo taken Aug 10, 2004