| Historic Name: |
Ridgeview Apartments |
Common Name: |
Ridgeview Apartments |
| Style: |
Art Deco - Zig Zag |
Neighborhood: |
Fremont |
| 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 appears to meet the criteria of the National Register of Historic Places. |
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In the opinion of the survey, this property appears to meet the criteria of the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Ordinance. |
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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 simple building, constructed in 1931, is one of the later examples of the numerous apartment buildings constructed in the 1920s- early 1930s, when Seattle experienced a major construction boom. 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. The Woodland Park area, with the amenity of the park and easy streetcar access to downtown, became a popular apartment district in the teens, and this continued through the 1920s. However, the stock market crash of 1929 led to a sudden halt to apartment development, with few projects continuing after 1931. This building's simplicity and Art Deco detailing are typical of this period, as this style had largely replaced the revival styles of the 1920s by this time. The Ridgeview was both designed by and owned by architect W. G. Brust, who also had another apartment building nearby at N. 73rd Street and Phinney Avenue North. The buidling was announced in the Washington State Architect in June, 1931. The Ridgeview has 18 units, averaging 675 square feet. It appears to be intact, with original one-over-one wood sash.
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| Appearance |
| This three-story brick-clad apartment block sits on a steep slope, placing the main entry at the northeast corner. The garage entry is on the main façade farther down the slope, and a secondary entry to a basement apartment is on the west elevation. The main feature is the cast stone entry surround, with fluting on the sides and elaborate ornament above, with chevrons and stylized sunset and leaf motifs. The doors are original oak and glass, with an Art Deco pattern. The entire entry bay has brick laid in a chevron pattern, ending in a gabled parapet flanked by brick pilasters topped with urns. Brick elsewhere is laid in a simple pattern, with brick above the windows and a course above the top floor windows. The basement level is painted concrete. Windows are one-over-one wood sash, configured in trios, pairs and singles. The lobby, visible through the doorway, appears to be intact with an Art Deco light fixture and detailing. |
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